Chapter twelve Aubrey #3
My jaw nearly hits the ground as he turns and strides away, farther into the home. I… What!? I quickly snap out of my shocked state and race after him, finding him in the kitchen alongside Shane, who’s munching away at another cupcake.
Thanks for the help, babe.
“Absolutely not,” I say as I walk directly up to Julian, who seems annoyed by me, but I don’t take it personally.
Julian always seems annoyed by everyone around him.
“I’m not in any danger; no one is coming after me.
There’s no need for one.” I fold my arms over my chest. “And I will not, in any way, quit my job.”
Shane frowns as he slows his munching. He sets down the cupcake and picks up a napkin to wipe his mouth before addressing his friend. “Jules…” He uses a warning tone. “What did you say to her?”
Julian glares at Shane when he hears the nickname he seems to hate. “I merely informed her that she would be appointed security until the birth of the child,” he says it like I’m carrying the future king or queen of England.
“This is your heir, or heiress, Jefferson. I will not allow any harm to come to it. This is happening whether you like it or not.” He then looks at me with that same wicked smile again. “And I advised her to quit her job.”
“Shane!” I whine with frustration. “Do something!”
“Storm…” Shane starts, but Julian cuts him off.
“I will not budge on this; therefore, accept it as it comes.” He narrows his eyes at Shane. “You agreed with me that her work was risky. She stays out late into the night, alone. What if a burglar came in while she was alone? What if a fire started or there was a gas leak?”
I’m stuck on his first words as I turn to Shane with emotions swirling through my body. “You agreed to this?”
“Angel… I just don’t like you working so late… He’s right, anything could happen. I’m not always able to be with you when you close up, and I would hate it if something happened to you while I was away,” he says softly.
“Shane… I love my job… Please don’t take this away from me…” I suddenly feel dizzy as my eyes well with tears. This was never part of the plan. How could he agree to this when he knows how much this means to me?
“No, sweetheart.” He rushes over and takes me into his arms, kissing the top of my head. “I don’t want to take this away from you, I know how much you care about your job. I just wonder if maybe you could work during the day instead. It would really make me feel better.”
Okay, I guess I can understand that. “I mean, I could go in during the day instead. I was only working evenings because I didn’t want Tavie to be alone so late into the night.” I unbury my face from his chest and look up at him.
“And would you be able to change Octavia’s shifts, too?” He threads his fingers through my hair.
“I think so, yeah.” I shrug. It shouldn’t be too hard.
Tavie only took the late shift because it was all we had to offer when she started, and she desperately needed a job. I know she’d much rather work during the day. I’ll just need to see if two of our employees would be willing to take the evenings.
He smiles and presses a kiss to my lips. “See, we found a solution.” He then looks back at Julian. “Will this satisfy your royal demands?” he asks with a bit of sarcasm.
“I suppose that could work. But we are still getting her security.” He crosses his arms at his chest.
“No.” I shake my head.
“Yes,” he answers without missing a beat.
“Okay, okay. How about this?” Shane puts up his hands, settling our mini war. “What if she only had someone with her on the days that I’m away? Would that work?”
“Shane, I don’t want some stranger following me around everywhere.
It’s just weird. I’m not royalty and it would be a waste of that person’s time when they could actually be working for someone who really needs it,” I try to reason with my boyfriend, since he seems inclined to agree with Julian on this too.
Julian sighs heavily with exasperation. “What if I offered Lionel? You seemed to get along with him.” He’s right, I did get along pretty well with Lionel.
During the time when Ronnie’s ex was a threat to us, Lionel had been appointed to me since I lived alone. I was a bit against the idea of having a man live with me and follow me around, but we ended up forming a friendship. And I won’t lie that I was a bit sad when our time came to an end.
I sigh as well, knowing I’m about to give in.
“Only Lionel, no one else. And only when Shane is out of town!” I point my finger at Julian with newfound confidence to speak my mind that I didn’t have a few months ago.
I love all these changes Shane is bringing to me, or maybe it’s just the mother in me finally stepping up.
“Good, then we agree. Starting tomorrow, Lionel will be back in your premises.” Yes, tomorrow, because Shane is leaving again with the team for two days.
I shake my head, ignoring that new level of stress settling it. At least it’s someone I already know. I turn to Shane and kiss him once.
“I’m going to head to the bakery now; I’ll be back before your family gets here.” I turn to Julian with a frown, not pleased with him at this moment. “Julian,” I simply say as I leave the kitchen, not missing the victorious look in his eyes.
A-hole.