Chapter 6
Julia stared at the screen again as the late afternoon sun glinted through the blinds of the office’s windows, painting stripes on the floor. The images of her husband painted a candid picture of his playboy lifestyle.
As the pictures filled her screen again, a whirlpool of emotions churned in her. Was the man she’d come to respect and care for just a well-veiled facade? Doubts crept in, gnawing away her confidence in Grant and her own judgment.
And this had been the reason he’d hired her. To be the patient, forgiving wife. To stand at his side when he told the world he was different. Was he?
Julia’s mind contrasted the man in the photos with the one she’d come to know. Was there a difference between the Grant of yesterday and today or had she been viewing him through rose-colored glasses?
A twinge of doubt crept in. Was Kyle right?
She glanced at her cell phone, to the message from the man she’d let go unanswered for an hour. Did you see the news?
She’d seen it. Grant had called to make sure she was aware of it so there would be no slip-ups, no surprise statements to the press. She was designed to build up his image, and he wanted to make sure that’s exactly what she would do.
There would be a press conference the next morning to counter the bad press, some of which had already cost him a slight lead in the race.
With a heavy sigh, she logged off and grabbed her phone.
“You’re not planning on staying much later, are you?” Evie asked from her doorway.
“No, I was just about to leave as soon as I answer this text,” she said with a smile. “And you are free to go.”
“Well, I’m not concerned about that, but you’ve had quite a day already. We wouldn’t want you worn out on your first day.”
Julia smiled at the woman. “I’m heading out as soon as I’ve sent this.”
She typed a quick message back to Kyle acknowledging that she’d seen it before she collected her things.
Evie stood at her desk as Julia strode past.
“Good night, Mrs.—”
“Uh-uh, just Julia.”
“Good night, Julia,” Evie said with a smile. “See you tomorrow.”
“Have a great evening, Evie.”
“Thank you, enjoy yours, too.”
Julia crossed through the now-quiet offices and pressed the call button on the elevator. “Can I walk you to your car?” she asked as Evelyn appeared next to her.
“Oh, I’ll be fine,” Evelyn answered with a wave of her hand.
“We’ve worked a little late, and I’m guessing the parking garage looks as empty as this office. I’d feel better if I did.”
“Then I’ll worry about you.”
Julia smiled at her. “I’ll text you when I’m home.”
“That would be rather appreciated, actually. I worry about you ever since our little incident.”
“I feel the same, Evie,” Julia said as the elevator doors slid open, and they stepped inside.
After escorting the woman to her car and promising to text her when she had safely arrived home, she briskly made her way to her own car, sneaking a glance at her cell phone nestled in the purse”s pocket. Another message awaited her from Kyle. Did he stare at the phone until she answered? And? If this isn’t the biggest sign I’m right, I don’t know what is.
She heaved a sigh as she slid into the supple leather of her driver seat and fired the engine. It’s ancient history. Leave it in the past.
She didn’t bother to check the next message as her phone chimed from the cupholder. Instead, she concentrated on formulating the plan that would ensnare her newest employee. Christopher Metcalfe had spent the day with Human Resources becoming the newest vice-president at Harrington Global. He’d start his first full day tomorrow, and she planned to be prepared. She wanted him to lead her to whoever he was working for. She sincerely hoped it would be DG Industries.
Her mind turned to Sierra’s odd connection to the man. Why had she been so adamant about this man being hired at Harrington Global? There had to be a reason. Sierra did not make business moves out of the kindness of her heart.
She slowed at a stoplight and glanced at the waiting message. How many times does history have to repeat itself before you accept what he is?
Did Kyle have a point? Was she deluding herself? The Grant Harrington she knew didn’t fit the image Kyle or the media presented. Which one of them had it wrong?
She sidestepped the issue and sent a response. You know my thoughts on this subject. We can either stop talking, or we can move on to DG Industries. Your choice.
She dumped the phone in the cupholder as the light turned. Her phone chimed shortly after. She flicked her gaze to it but ignored it as the snarl of traffic in front of her finally started to move at a decent rate.
Within minutes, the city’s buildings receded behind her as the last glimpses of the sun sparkled on the horizon. When she eased the car to a stop, it had already disappeared. A quick glance at her phone screen as she climbed into the cool evening air curled the corners of her lips. Did you find something on DG?
At least she’d neatly cut off another lecture about her choice of husband. She’d answer him later with the details of her current plan. As she stepped inside the house, Worthington met her, taking her briefcase.
“Mrs. Harrington, welcome home. How was your day?”
“Busy,” she answered, “thank you. How was yours?”
“The same,” he answered as Grant strode from his office toward her.
“Finally home, huh?” he asked.
“Yes, sorry. I had a few things I didn’t expect.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Was Kyle one of them?”
She heaved a sigh. She’d no sooner finished with one of the pair of them when the other started. Though the bigger question was how did he know? “Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this morning when I called?”
“It wasn’t that important.”
Grant led her into his office and poured two brandies. “Julia, he has crossed multiple lines. Any contact with him is important enough to tell me about.”
She pressed her lips together before she spoke as she accepted a glass. “You two are like fire and ice, you don’t go together. The mere mention of the other one triggers you both. I didn’t tell you because you were dealing with enough. I wasn’t happy about him tracking me down at Harrington Global, but Kyle can’t seem to stop pushing boundaries.”
Grant sipped his drink as he leaned against his desk. “Someone needs to stop him.”
“Not you,” she said, flicking her gaze to him, “you’re in enough hot water with those old pictures. The last thing you need is another trip to the police station.”
“I’m worried about you,” Grant answered. “I’m serious. He just can’t seem to leave you alone. What did he want this time?”
“To talk. And to promise nothing like what happened yesterday would happen again.”
“Oh, right, like I believe that.” Grant downed the rest of his drink, then shook his head. “Did he promise to stay away from you?”
“That was not a promise he made, no.”
“No, I didn’t think so.”
Julia stared into the reflective surface of her drink for a second. “You should know he’s seen the news, too.”
“I bet he couldn’t wait to text you an ‘I told you so’.”
“He wasn’t forgiving about it, but he did say he’s willing to move forward if you are.”
Grant offered a disgusted sigh as he let his glass clatter onto the desk. “Are you kidding? He’s willing to move forward. He’s the trouble here.”
“He doesn’t see it that way.”
“No, he wouldn’t.” Grant shook his head again before his gaze landed on her. “I’m sorry. He’s just…so maddening. And you just keep getting caught in the middle.”
“I really think you two need some time apart before you do anything else.”
“I’m not sure there’s enough time and space to fix the problems between us.”
She sucked in a breath. He may have a point, but right now, with the pressures of his campaign, everything seemed to weigh more heavily on him. “Maybe not, but you won’t know unless you try. However, I think you’d be better off waiting until things settle with the campaign. It’s stressing you out.”
He glanced at the floor as though he didn’t agree before his head finally bobbed up and down once. “As long as he isn’t bothering you, I’ll focus on the campaign. But I still don’t like him lurking around every corner.”
“That’s why I talked to him this morning. There’s no better way to ensure he’s lurking than ignoring him.”
“Good point. Keep your enemies close. Though I still don’t like it.”
“How did you know he showed up this morning, by the way?”
Grant raised his gaze to her, offering a slight shrug. “After everything that’s gone on over the past year, I asked the security team to keep an eye on you.”
Julia let the words sink in. “So, someone’s following me.”
“No,” Grant said, his tone measured, “someone’s keeping an eye on you. There’s a difference.”
Julia knitted her brows as she considered the semantics of the statement.
“Hey,” Grant said, reaching for her hand, “there’s one other thing I wanted to discuss with you before dinner.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask after this day.”
“It’s nothing bad. Or worse. It’s nothing new. I just…” He hesitated as his features pinched with mixed emotions. His eyes flickered with traces of worry and regret, a rare vulnerability she’d rarely seen on him. “Thank you for doing yet another public show of support. I’m not that man anymore. And I wanted you to know that.”
She squeezed his hand, encouraged by the words, though still cautious. “It certainly isn’t the image I have of you.”
His lips curved into a smile. “I’m glad to hear you say that. Because I have changed. As ridiculous as that sounds to say after the fact.”
Julia matched his expression. “I would be surprised if you hadn’t. We all change.”
He rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand, his eyes lingering on her. For a moment, she wondered if he wanted to say something more, though the clicking of a pair of heels interrupted the moment.
Lydia appeared in the doorway a moment later, her hands on her hips. “Oh, good, Daisy Do-Gooder is home. Maybe now we can eat before we all starve to death.”
Julia’s shoulders slumped as she shot Grant a glance.
He heaved a sigh as she rose. “You know, you could eat any time you wanted if you had your own place.”
“Where’s the fun in that? I’m starting to enjoy these family gatherings.”
Grant wrapped an arm around Julia as they followed Lydia to the dining room.
“Look, Sierra, I found them. Thank goodness.” She plopped into a chair as Julia and Grant took their seats. “Where’s the weird one…Cody?”
“Kyle,” Julia corrected. “Not here.”
“Kyle went back to his own place now that I’m out of the woods.”
“Oh, too bad. He was nice eye candy for my evening meals.”
“Ew,” Sierra said with a wrinkled nose. “That’s disgusting.”
Lydia rolled her eyes as she lifted her wine glass. “What? He certainly takes after your father in the looks department.”
Sierra let her fork clatter to her plate. “Please forever stop talking about finding men attractive. I’m getting sick.”
“Let’s change the subject, shall we?” Julia asked with a polite smile.
“Oh, of course, let’s do that. Whatever you say, Julia,” Lydia answered with a fake smile.
Julia flicked her gaze to Sierra across from her. “I met with Christopher Metcalfe this morning.”
Sierra snapped her gaze up to Julia, something flickering across her eyes that resembled fear. “And?”
“I hired him just like you asked. He’s our new VP of Corporate Development.”
Sierra sucked in a breath, her gaze sliding sideways before her features took on a more relieved expression. “I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.”
“You hired him?” Grant asked. “As a Vice President?”
“I did. Maybe Sierra was right, and I misjudged him.”
“Oh, look at the little wallflower making moves. You’ll go back to a company you don’t recognize if you lose this race, Grant.” Lydia shot him a haughty glance as she stabbed a green bean.
Julia narrowed her eyes at the woman. Her constant barbs stung more than Julia cared to admit. Each sly remark reminded her of her precarious position within the household and Lydia’s own connection to Grant. She felt torn apart by an inner tug-of-war to defend herself and maintain peace for Grant and Sierra’s sake.
“I wasn’t questioning her judgment, Lydia. I’m certain Julia is making the best decisions for Harrington Global.”
Julia smiled at him, pleased at the reassurance. She wasn’t planning on telling him her plan. He’d never agree to it. Better to ask forgiveness than permission. And if she was wrong, then the only risk was an employee not worth his weight in salt.
Still, something gnawed at her about Sierra’s involvement. She’d have to dig deeper into that. She plastered on a bright smile. “No more business talk at the table.”
“I really don’t like you,” Lydia said with a groan.
“Nobody cares,” Sierra answered.
“Oh, I have something we could discuss!” Lydia said with a slap of the white tablecloth. “Did you happen to see those pictures of Grant on the news? Oldies but goodies, right, love?”
Grant glared at her over the rim of his glass. “I’m a completely different man than I was then.”
“Oh? Hmm, what’s that saying about tigers and stripes? A tiger always has stripes?”
Silence stretched between them as Lydia feigned confusion. “Oh, darn, someone help me out here. It’s escaping me.”
“A tiger never changes its stripes,” Julia said, annoyance lacing her voice.
“That’s the one. You are bright, Julia.”
“Bright enough to know that people do change. Most of them for the better, though some for the worse.”
Lydia narrowed her eyes at the woman as the stinging implication hung between them.
“Can we talk about something more pleasant, please?” Sierra said.
“I think that’s an excellent idea, Sierra,” Julia answered.
Talk turned to lighter topics as they finished their meal. After a brief conversation about the press conference the following morning, Julia climbed the stairs, exhausted from the long day. She shut herself in her room, sucking in a breath as the silent sanctuary surrounded her. Her head thudded against the door as it clicked shut.
Before her mind could swirl with too many thoughts, she forced herself to change and slide between the sheets. The cooling comfort of the soft bedding soothed her frayed nerves. She drifted off to a dreamless sleep.
The shrill sound of her cell phone’s ring split the silence, startling her awake. She gasped in a breath as she shot up to sit, desperately trying to orient herself. After the second ring, she snapped her gaze to the phone.
Still bleary-eyed, she snatched it from the charger and answered without reading the display. “Hello.”
“Julia?” Kyle’s voice filled her ear, bringing even more panic to the odd late-night phone call. Something else startled her, too. Was it the tone of his voice? “Julia, it’s me, Kyle. I…I need your help.”
Her features squashed as she tried to pull herself awake. “Kyle? Why are you calling? It’s one in the morning.”
“I know. I know. I’m sorry, but…”
“What?” she prodded, hoping this wasn’t another ploy to rattle her into agreeing with him about Grant or their relationship.
“I’m in trouble. I got arrested. I need you to bail me out.”
The words stunned her as she sat in the darkness of her room. Her heart pounded with a mix of frustration and concern. Kyle’s continuous disruptions were exhausting, yet she felt a sense of responsibility she couldn’t shake off. She wondered if helping him just dragged her deeper into a situation she hoped to avoid.
Though through her still-sleepy haze, one question loomed. What was she going to do about this twist?