Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Julian
I was pissed and needed to talk to my brothers. Since Parker wasn’t home, I went down to Roman’s. When I walked through the front door, Roman turned and looked at me.
“Hey, bro.”
“Am I interrupting?” I asked as he and Morgan were snuggled on the couch.
“Not at all.” Morgan smiled. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks, Morgan.” I sat in the chair across from the couch.
“Drink?” Roman got up.
“Yeah. I really need one right now.”
“Why? What happened?” Morgan asked.
“It’s just Laurel. She refuses to sleep in my bed.”
“Do you blame her?” Roman chuckled, handing me my drink.
“I specifically put her bag in my bedroom. She went and got it and took it upstairs to the guestroom. She told me just because I was kind enough to let her and the girls stay, it changes nothing.”
“Again, do you blame her?” Morgan smirked. “Listen, Julian. She has been put through the wringer today.”
“I know. That’s why I want her in my bed so that I can comfort her.”
“It doesn’t work like that,” Morgan said. “She’s still hurt by what you said to her.”
“But actions speak louder than words, right?” I asked.
We heard Maddie’s cries through the monitor. “I’ll go settle her down,” Morgan said, leaving Roman and I to talk.
“Listen, brother. Don’t toy with her emotions. She’s dealing with a lot right now.”
“I’m not toying with her emotions. I fucking want her, Roman. I—I—love her.”
The corners of his mouth curved upward. “Are you ready for a future with Laurel and the girls? Because the girls are part of the package.”
“Yeah. I’m ready. I’ve missed those girls the past couple of weeks.” I breathed out a laugh. I never thought I’d say something like that. Danielle and I used to talk about having kids, and after we broke up, I decided I never wanted any. Now, I have the chance to be a father figure to three beautiful and brilliant little girls, and I wanted it.
“Okay. Then this is what you have to do. Give Laurel the space she wants and needs. She’ll give you another chance in due time. Don’t chase after her, don’t try to sleep with her, or make a fuss when she won’t sleep in your bed. Just take care of the four of them, and it’ll happen naturally.”
“You think so?” I asked, tipping the glass to my lips.
“I'm certain of it.” He grinned. “Here's the plan for tomorrow. We’re tailing Morgan when she heads out of the office tomorrow morning to provide Jason with his new identity. After she leaves, we'll ensure that man never returns here.”
“Thank God. I was going to tell you and Parker the same thing. I already planned on having a nice chat with the undead man.” I threw back the rest of my drink. “I should get home.”
Roman and I hugged. “It’s good to have you back,” he said.
“Back?” I furrowed my brows.
“Back in the land of love.” A smirk crossed his lips as he patted my back.
“Thanks, brother.” I fist-bumped him. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When I arrived home, I quietly walked up the stairs and noticed the light was still on in Laurel’s bedroom. Carefully opening the door, she looked up at me from her laptop.
“Hi.” I smiled.
“Hi.”
“Just checking in to see if you need anything,” I said, walking into the room.
“Nope. I’m good.”
“What are you working on?” I casually climbed on the bed and looked at her laptop.
“The Grisley case,” she said, staring at me and giving me an odd look.
“What?” I asked.
“Is there anything else?” Her brow raised.
“No. Goodnight, Laurel.”
“Goodnight, Julian.”
I was up early the following morning to fix the girl’s breakfast before school. I was fine sleeping in my bed alone as long as I knew Laurel and the girls were safe upstairs.
“Morning, Julian.” The girls walked into the kitchen.
“Morning, lovely ladies. I’ve made pancakes for breakfast, complimented with strawberries and whipped cream.”
“Yay!” Stella clapped.
I told them to sit up at the island while I set their plates in front of them.
“Something smells good.” Laurel walked into the kitchen, looking as beautiful as ever.
“Good morning.” I smiled, pouring her a cup of coffee.
“Morning. Thanks.” Her smile already brightened my day. “You didn’t have to make them breakfast. I could have done it.”
“I wanted to.” I glanced at the girls and noticed Sara picking at her pancakes. “Sara, why aren’t you eating? Don’t you like pancakes, sweetheart?”
“Yeah. I like them. I’m not very hungry.”
“Well, you have to eat.” Laurel kissed the top of her head.
After dropping the kids off at school, we headed to the office. My phone started ringing, and when I saw it was Stefan, I switched to speaker mode.
“Stefan, my man.”
“Good morning, Julian. My team has boarded up the window. Plus, the wooden floor where the tree caused damage needs replacing. They also found a ceiling leak in the kitchen, and after checking the roof, it turns out it also needs to be repaired. Did Laurel contact the landlord?”
“She did yesterday after the storm.”
“Good. Tell her to text me their phone number, and I’ll contact them,” he said .
“Stefan, do you know how long it will take to repair everything?” Laurel asked.
“Unfortunately, it won’t be anytime soon, especially when dealing with the insurance company. I’ll keep you guys updated.”
“Thanks, my friend,” I said.
“You’re welcome, Julian. Talk to you later.”
“What does he mean it won’t be anytime soon?” Laurel cocked her head.
“You know how it is. The process can take forever. Have you told your parents yet what happened?”
“No. I’m going to try and call them today,” she said.
I silently smiled because I owed Stefan big time for helping me out. With any luck, she’ll be living with me permanently very soon.
I had just sat at my desk when Roman and Parker walked in.
“I heard what happened to Laurel’s house. That really sucks.” A smirk crossed Parker’s lips.
“It does, doesn’t it?” I grinned.
“Boss, she’s on the move,” Melinda stuck her head in.
“Let’s go.” I stood and grabbed my suit coat.
The three of us climbed into my Escalade. I told Sam to keep a distance because Morgan would spot us tailing her in a second. We followed her to an apartment building and parked down the street. Suddenly, there was a knock on the back passenger window where Roman sat.
Roman pushed the button, and the window rolled down. “Hey, babe.” He smiled.
“Just so you know, I spotted you when we left the office. What are you three doing?”
“We just want to talk with him and make it very clear that we better never see him in L.A. again,” I said.
“So, you want to play the hero?” She smirked .
“Something like that.” Parker grinned.
“Fine. Follow me,” she said.
“How did she?—”
“Don’t ask.” Roman sighed.
We followed Morgan into the building and up to apartment 3C.
“Who are they?” Jason asked, opening the door.
“They want to talk to you. Here’s your new identity, passport, and a one-way plane ticket to Vancouver. In that envelope, you’ll also find the address of your new residence. It’s not much, but you’ll have a place to go to when you get there. The first month is paid. You’re responsible for the rest. Let me ask you, Jason. Why Vancouver?” Morgan asked.
“They have great kayaking there,” he said.
“Enjoy your new life. Gentlemen.” Morgan looked at us and walked out.
“You’re the guy Laurel’s been seeing,” Jason said, staring at me.
“Exactly.” I walked over and punched him square in the face, sending him to the ground. “You’re a piece of shit for what you’ve done to Laurel and your daughters.”
“I know I am.” He rubbed his jaw. “Why do you think I came back to find her? I have to live with what I’ve done every day for the rest of my life.”
“That’s right. You do. And this is your only warning.” I reached down and grabbed him by his shirt. “You are never to contact Laurel or your kids. Do you understand me?” My grip on his shirt tightened.
“Yeah. I understand,” his voice cracked.
“And you’re never to step foot back into the U.S. either,” Parker said.
“If we ever catch wind of you or hear your name, we will find you and bury you six feet under,” Roman said .
“I get it. I get it,” he said.
I let go of his shirt, and he fell back. “Let’s get out of here,” I said.
When we left the building, we saw Morgan sitting in her car.
“Babe, why are you still here?” Roman asked.
“I’m making sure Mr. Evans gets on that plane. I’ll be in the office later.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “I love you.”
“I love you too. You didn’t hurt him too much, did you?” Morgan’s brow raised as she stared at me.
“Nah.” I smiled.