“Love you too, punk. What did you want to talk about?”
Adam sat in the chair next to me and pulled out his phone. He tapped on the screen then turned it around to show me. “Karen did an interview withThe Babbler.”
Breaking News from The Babbler
Is Captain America Turning Into The Tin Man?
Kingston Grier Keeps Grieving In-laws from Granddaughter
Exclusive Details
Ariel Knight’sparents haven’t seen their granddaughter since the day of Ariel’s funeral—over a year ago. And it’s all becauseKingston Grierrefuses to allow visitation.
“We’ve called and called, and he won’t talk to us.” Ariel’s mother,Karen Kleinberg,toldThe Babblerexclusively. “We even arranged a visit through his lawyer last month, and they didn’t show up. We haven’t seen Zoe since the day we laid our baby to rest. I just want to see my granddaughter.”
Ariel Knight died after a fiery car crash outside of Monte Carlo, Monaco last year in a car driven by director,Wes Atwood…
I didn’t bother to read the rest of the article. I knew the details by heart.
“This is bullshit!” I dropped Adam’s phone in his hands despite the burning urge to whip it across the room. “Those assholes didn’t give a shit about Zoe until it was clear that they weren’t getting anything from Ariel’s estate.”
“I know, King. I know. I have a call in to your lawyer, but your publicist wants to meet later tonight and discuss the implications of the interview.”
I closed my eyes with a groan. I didn’t give a shit aboutthe implications of the interview. What I really wanted to do was take my daughter and run—go live in some country Karen and Tony wouldn’t think of and keep their toxic bullshit far away from my family.
We’d call that Plan B.
“Fine.” I scrubbed my hands over my face. “Set it up. And maybe see if my lawyer can make it, too, or send someone. Let’s kill two birds with one big ass gun.”
Adam smirked as he typed away on his phone. “That’s not the saying, but sure. I’ll see what I can set up during your dinner break. You’ve got about thirty minutes before Zo and Briar show up. Want me to grab something for you from craft services so you can take a shower and unwind?”
“Sure. Thanks, man.”
“No problem. That’s why you pay me the big bucks.”
I laughed as Adam bounced out of the trailer still typing away at his phone.
He was a pain in the ass sometimes, but I didn’t know how I’d get through all the bullshit in my life without him.
* * *
Forty minutes later, I was getting a little edgy. Adam had left a few minutes ago to escort Zoe and Briar to my trailer. They should’ve been here by now. I was eager to finally see my daughter for the first time in three days.
But it was Briar I heard before I saw them. Her huskylaughter peppered through my opened window. The sound was mellow and easy and so fucking happy. I didn’t want to think about how much it annoyed me that she was laughing with Adam.
I vaulted down the stairs and was in front of Briar before she could blink. Pulling Zoe into my arms, I hugged her tight.
“Dada!” Zoe squealed, her little arms wrapping around my neck.
Closing my eyes, I drank the sensation in. I had my entire world in my arms. Nothing else mattered.
But as always, after a few seconds of our hug, Zoe wiggled and pulled back. She babbled something about Bunny.
It was at that moment I noticed the telltale signs that Zoe had been crying recently. Her eyelashes were clumped together, and her face still had a slight flush.
“What happened?” I asked as I turned to Briar.
Briar shook her head. “In the chaos of leaving, I forgot to grab Bunny. She was right next to the bag, but between checking the driver’s info and collecting everything, I didn’t grab Bunny. Zoe started crying when we hit Santa Monica Boulevard. I couldn’t calm her down, so we had to go back. That’s why it took so long to get here. I’m so sorry.”