Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

"Nita? Nita, are you still there?" Effie called into her phone several times, but Nita's voice never came back.

Her grandmother looked over, concern creasing her face. "Effie, what's wrong?"

"Nita dropped her phone-I'm going to look for her, see what happened," Effie replied, grabbing her jacket.

Her grandmother cautioned, "Be careful. If anything feels off, get out of there right away."

Effie chuckled as she pulled on her shoes. "So you're telling me to act like a scared little turtle and hide if there's trouble?"

Her grandmother shot her a look, lips twitching at the corners. "Better to be called a coward than to end up hurt. Nothing is more important than your life."

"Fair point. After all these years under your influence, I must've inherited your survivor's instincts. I'm all about self-preservation," Effie teased.

Her grandmother couldn't help but laugh, giving Effie a playful nudge. "You and that smart mouth of yours."

Effie grinned and called back, “I'll be back before you know it, Grandma." "Alright, take care."

door clicked shut, her grandmother's smile faded. She fumbled for her glasses, quickly dialing Lyman's

been on the road long when Vinson Elliott and Randell

just started her car, caught a glimpse of movement in the mirror and tensed—until Vinson rolled down his window, flashing a wide, reassuring

passenger seat, Randell leaned over and greeted her, "Hey Effie, fancy running into

"You two aren't fooling anyone. What do you really

told us

as I find her, I'm

smile from Vinson's face. "She got herself mixed

said she was out looking

scoffed. "That woman will chase any deal, huh? She's already a

sideways glance. "Why are you so worked up? Do you have a thing for her or

me a break,"

your mind out of

happens to her,

someone so driven on your