Chapter 9 #2
Grant heaved a sigh as the ambulance slowed as they approached the hospital.
“Not even close. I wanted to take her to that same cabin and surround her with roses. Instead, I ended up in a hotel room after she moved out desperately asking her to come back. At least I have a lifetime to make it up to her.”
“I like that. A lifetime to make it up to her.” Ethan smiled at his clasped hands. “I’ll think about it. I know Alicia’s not going to want to leave Julia.”
“You’re only two hours away. Just let me know. I can have Worthington get it ready for you. Champagne, roses, whatever you want.”
“Thanks,” Ethan answered as the doors opened. “I’ll let you know.”
The hospital team whisked Grant from the back of the ambulance and subjected him to a battery of tests before they left him sitting in a cubicle. Ethan strolled in a few moments later. “Good news, Julia’s fine. Looks like she’ll be going home tonight.”
Grant breathed a sigh of relief at the words. “Thank heavens. That poor woman has been through far too much at the hands of my ex-wife.”
He squeezed his fingers into fists. Lydia had gone too far.
A second later, Julia hurried into the room.
“Hey, how are you up?”
“I signed myself out,” she said as she hurried to his bedside. Her clothes still smelled of smoke, dredging up the horrible memories from the house. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. How have I not been allowed to sign myself out?”
“You don’t complain as much as I do,” she said as she rubbed his shoulder.
“I just want to get home and change,” he said as he flung back the sheet covering him. “Sign me out.”
“Wait, wait,” she said. “We should wait for your results. You just ran into a burning building.”
Grant shot her an incredulous glance. “So did you, after you escaped from it. I’m fine.”
“You’d better be,” she said as he pulled his shirt on.
“I’m fine, Juls. Let’s get home and make sure no one killed Alex.”
She nodded at him, interlacing her fingers in his. Within the hour, they were walking into the quiet solitude of Harrington House. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, they made their way to Kyle’s room, hoping to find everyone asleep.
Voices floated to them as they approached.
“…too risky. You have to approach dangerous people in a far more calculated manner,” Alex counseled.
Julia’s brow furrowed as she shot him a glance.
“Sometimes the riskier plans pay off bigger,” Kyle answered.
“No, no. You’re working with someone incredibly dangerous. She nearly offed Sunshine more than once, and you didn’t fare so well either.”
“This shouldn’t be this hard,” Sierra chimed in. “How is she constantly winning?”
“Well, to be fair, she didn’t win the battle for HG, but she did nearly cause the downfall of your step-mommy dearest, yet again,” Alex answered as they rounded the corner and hovered in the doorway.
The gangly man tossed a ball up and down as he paced the floor back and forth. He twisted to face them, a grin spreading over his features. “Well, hey there, Team Harrington. You’re looking awfully good for a couple who just escaped a fire.”
“Daddy! Step-mommy!” Sierra leapt from her seat on the bed and flung her arms around their necks.
“Hi, Sierra,” Julia said.
“We were so worried. Alex said Lydia trapped you in a fire but that you were fine. But I had to see for myself.”
Julia pulled back. “We’re fine.” She shuffled to the bed with Sierra still clinging to her and reached her hand toward Kyle. “How are you?”
“Worried, but better now that you’re okay. Both of you.”
“Sit down,” Sierra said. “You should rest.”
She climbed onto the bed next to Julia and snuggled closer to her. Grant smiled at the scene, loving how much she loved his family.
“It’s good to see you home, Sunshine. Peak Princess, Junior G, our conversation is to be continued.” Alex winked at them before he stepped toward the door. “Grantster, good to see you.”
“Julia, please stop scaring us,” Sierra said as she laid her head down on her shoulder.
“I’ll try. Believe me, tonight was frightening enough for me to hope this all ends soon.”
“Sir?” Worthington said from behind him.
He stepped from the room. “Worthington, I think given the circumstances, we’ll be skipping breakfast and possibly lunch. Everyone needs some rest.”
“I understand, sir. I will inform the cook, and we shall prepare to provide meals whenever someone requests them.”
“Great. Thank you.”
“Sir, may I just say how pleased I am that you both are okay. James informed us of what happened.”
“Thank you.” Grant swallowed hard, the horrific moments flashing through his mind again. “I’m glad Julia’s safe. I hope this all ends soon.”
“As do I, sir. Mrs. Knight is becoming quite a problem.”
“And more and more dangerous. Every time she’s backed into a corner, she comes out worse than the last time. I’m sure this has to do with the crushing defeat she received at the HG board meeting.”
“Someone must put a stop to her antics,” Worthington said.
“I couldn’t agree more. I’m going to get some rest. I don’t expect to be up until late afternoon.”
“Of course, sir. I shall ensure you are undisturbed.”
The butler left him alone in the hall. He sucked in a breath, realizing how tired he was. With a deep sigh, he returned to his son’s room to collect Julia.
As he entered, the scene before him melted his heart. Julia slept peacefully, sandwiched between his two sleeping children. One hand clasped Kyle's, while the other cradled Sierra's head against her shoulder.
He smiled at them as he pulled the blanket over them and turned off the light.
Overwhelmed with a fierce protectiveness, Grant collapsed into the chair beside Kyle’s bed, abandoning the comfort of his own bed.
He let his head thud softly against the back of the chair, content to watch his family sleep safely and soundly.
His eyes finally slid closed, and he dozed off. When he awoke, the sun was already setting. He glanced at the bed, finding everyone else still soundly asleep. The scene brought the familiar warmth rushing back to him.
It also brought a surge of protectiveness rushing through him. Lydia had nearly succeeded in ripping apart the family he’d cobbled together. His fingers twisted into a fist. He wouldn’t let her do it.
Rising, he quietly left his sleeping family behind. As the sun disappeared below the horizon, he strode to his car, one destination in mind.
After sliding behind the wheel of his car, he pulled out from the garage. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. As each mile passed, his will grew stronger. He was going to stop this fight once and for all.
On a side street, he slid into a parking space before he climbed into the night air, craning his neck to stare up at the apartment on the top floor. His eyes narrowed, and his fists tightened.
He strode inside, ignoring the man behind the desk as he raised a hand to cover his face, keeping his footsteps confident as though he belonged there.
He crossed to the elevator bank and pressed the button. As one slid open, he stepped inside, taking it to the top floor. After the doors slid open, he crossed to her door, staring at it for a moment.
With a hard swallow, he battled the surge of second thoughts that threatened his resolve. With a steely determination, he dismissed them, understanding the necessity of this confrontation for his family’s future.
He raised his chin, sliding his shoulder back as he pounded on the door.
It opened a second later, and he came face to face with his surprised ex-wife. “Grant. Well, this is a surprise.”
“Hello, Lydia.”
“To what do I owe the displeasure? I haven’t summoned you.”
“No, you haven’t. But we need to have a…discussion.” He pushed into her apartment.
“I don’t think so. Get out.” Lydia poked a finger toward the door.
“No, Lydia. You’ve gone too far. And I’m not going to put up with it anymore.” He spun to face her. “I’m going to put a stop to this once and for all.”
He left the threat hanging between them as he stalked back over and pushed the door closed. This was going to end here and now. He was sick of worrying about his family, sick of seeing them hurt. He was going to put a stop to Lydia’s reign of terror.