17. Julian
CHAPTER 17
JULIAN
T he tranquility of an early Sunday morning shatters with the abrupt vibration of my phone on the nightstand.
Glancing at the screen, I see Natalie’s name flash across it. Something in my gut tightens—an instinctual reaction to receiving calls at such an unGodly hour. I swipe to answer, bringing the phone to my ear.
“Julian,” Natalie’s voice comes through, edged with panic. Her words tumble out, disjointed and rushed, painting a picture of chaos that snaps me to full alertness despite the early hour.
“Natalie, slow down, please. I can’t understand,” I interject, sitting up in bed, my mind racing to catch up with the urgency in her tone.
Taking a deep breath, she tries again, her words slightly more coherent but no less frantic. “Someone has destroyed your scaffolding again,” she manages to say, the frustration and fear evident in her voice.
The news hits like a punch to the gut. Not again. Why can't whoever is doing this just leave us the hell alone?
“I’ll be right there,” I say quickly, throwing off the covers and starting to gather my clothes. “Have you called the police?”
She scoffs, and there’s a bitterness in her laugh that speaks volumes of her dwindling faith in the local authorities. “They’ve been useless so far,” she retorts sharply. “No leads, no help, just empty assurances.”
“Okay, okay, I understand,” I respond, trying to keep my voice even, to inject some calm into the situation. Maybe once I arrive and calm her down, I can change her mind. “Stay there, and don’t touch anything. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Julian, wait,” Nat says before I can hang up. “There's something else.” I freeze, halfway through zipping up my jeans. “They left a message... for you.”
My blood runs cold. “I'll be right there.”
I end the call and hurry to finish dressing, my mind reeling with the implications. The repeated attacks on the Langford have suddenly become more than just vandalism—this is personal.
The possibilities of what this means fill me with dread. Who would target the site again, and why? Who would harbor such animosity against me or the project to warrant this barrage of attacks?
It's way too early to call the sitter, so poor Aria is going to have to come with me to the site. I try to wake her up as gently as I can, walking the delicate balance between conveying the urgency of the situation and trying not to scare her. But Aria's always been a good girl, and she dresses quickly, more excited than anything to be joining Daddy at work today.
I buckle Aria into her car seat, a banana in one of her hands and a granola bar in the other. She looks up at me with those big, intuitive eyes of hers, studying my face for a moment. “It was the bad guys again, wasn't it, Daddy?”
Smoothing the hair back from her forehead, I answer simply and honestly. “Probably, kiddo.”
“Are we going to go catch them?” Her little face lights up with excitement that, while adorable, also reminds me that this situation could be dangerous. I wish I had somewhere else for her to go this morning, but if she's with me, at least I'll be able to keep her in my sight.
“Nope, we'll leave that part to the police, okay?” I give her a quick kiss on the head before straightening up. “We're just going to go check on things and make sure Daddy's friend is okay.”
I close her door and walk around to the driver's side, climbing in as quickly as I can, anxious to get to the Langford and Natalie.
“The pretty one?” Aria asks as I back out of the driveway and onto the street.
“What's that, sweetie?” I reply, my thoughts already miles ahead.
“Are we going to see your pretty friend?” Aria asks more clearly, bringing an unexpected warmth to my cheeks.
“Yes, my pretty friend. Natalie,” I answer, Natalie's flushed and disheveled face suddenly springing into my mind. In the backseat, Aria cheers, and I flip on the radio to avoid any further conversation on the topic.
Despite the quiet sleepiness of the town outside, I feel a growing sense of unease. The whole scenario, right down to Aria tagging along in the backseat, is hauntingly familiar. Natalie sounded truly shaken when we spoke on the phone, and the thought of her dealing with this alone knots my stomach.
What did the message say? Who would go to such lengths to disrupt this project—or is it targeted at me, specifically? Anger simmers beneath my skin, but I will myself to keep my composure, for both Aria's sake and Nat's.
I arrive at the Langford Building to find Natalie standing near the mangled remains of the scaffolding, her posture tense, her arms crossed tightly in front of her. The site is a mess, much worse than the last time this happened; metal poles bent and twisted, boards snapped, tables flipped, days of work callously undone in a deliberate act of sabotage.
Scanning the surrounding landscape, I search for anyone other than Nat, any sign that danger could still be lurking nearby. Finding nothing, I get out of the car and unbuckle Aria from her seat before slinging her up and onto my back. She wraps her arms tightly around my neck as I hook my hands under her knees, supporting her weight. I don't want to risk her getting injured from all the debris, and I want to keep her as close to me as possible.
“Julian,” Natalie greets me, relief momentarily flickering across her face as I approach, then a cautious curiosity. “And Aria?”
“Hi!” Aria chimes melodiously from her perch on my back. “You are Daddy's pretty friend! Wow, look Daddy, she has freckles!”
Startled, and perhaps a little embarrassed by the declaration, Natalie's face turns a charming shade of pink. Aria's lighthearted excitement is an almost comical contrast to the seriousness that has brought us here, but infectious, nonetheless.
“You're right, kiddo, she does,” I reply, deepening the flush on Nat’s cheeks.
Nat and I share a flustered look before she clears her throat and nods in the direction of the battered scaffolding. “It's pretty bad,” she says in a half whisper.
I nod, taking in the scene with a growing sense of outrage. “Let’s see this message,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
Concern creases Natalie's brow. “It's over here.”
I follow, taking care to keep Aria balanced on my back as I step over the chaotic remnants of the scaffolding. As soon as we round the corner of the building, I see it: the entire east wall covered in venomous words, red paint dripping from each letter, like blood from a wound.
“This is what you get, Rodriguez.”
It's Aria who reads it aloud, her innocent voice lending the message an even more disturbing edge. “Does that mean you, Daddy?”
The wind is knocked out of me, my lungs burning, my whole chest aching with the weight of the message.
“I think it does,” I manage to say, each word deepening my comprehension of how serious this situation has become. The message is threatening, and a clear expression of a personal vendetta.
This is what you get, Rodriguez.
Even when I close my eyes, the words are emblazoned in my vision, a haunting image that I can't escape.
“Do you know what it means?” Natalie asks, her voice low, almost afraid.
“No,” I answer, my mind racing through potential suspects, past conflicts, anything that might give us a clue. “But we’re going to find out, and we’re going to stop them.”
“Yeah! Get ‘em, Daddy!” Aria encourages, drawing an affectionate smile from Natalie that doesn't quite reach her eyes.
“I don't mean us, kiddo. I meant the police are going to find them and stop them,” I explain, shooting a pointed glance at Nat.
This isn't just a couple of punks we're dealing with. This is serious now. Dangerous. And I can't risk anyone's safety—professional or physical—over an issue that somehow revolves around me.
Natalie, avoiding my insistence, immediately lunges into an anxious attempt to smooth over the situation. “We can fix it,” she says hurriedly. “Get your guys in Monday morning, or today, even, and then?—”
“It’s not just about the building, Natalie,” I begin, starting from a place I know she can sympathize with. “If things keep getting damaged and we keep falling behind schedule, it’s not just the Langford project that will suffer.” My voice grows firmer, underscored by the broader implications.
“Our reputation is on the line here,” I continue, meeting her eyes. “My company is known for being reliable, efficient. Incidents like these... they could really hurt our standing with clients, not to mention future jobs. My guys rely on our reputation. It’s how they feed their families.”
Natalie’s expression turns solemn, understanding the gravity of the situation not just as an isolated incident but as a threat to the livelihood of everyone involved. “What can we do?” she asks, her defensiveness dropped.
“We need to be proactive,” I reply, starting to formulate a plan. “First, we beef up security around the site. More cameras, maybe even overnight guards.” I pause, gauging her reaction. “We need to communicate with the police, push them to prioritize this. It’s not just vandalism; it’s targeted sabotage, possibly with intent to harm. They need to see the seriousness of it.” My jaw sets with determination, and I hope Natalie hears what I'm really saying: that she needs to see the seriousness of it.
To my relief, Natalie nods, surrendering. “I’ll get in touch with the police. I’ll emphasize the escalation and the specific threat this time,” she offers, already pulling out her phone, but she pauses, her gaze flitting between Aria and me. “They used your name, Julian. It’s clearly personal.”
“I know.”
Aria speaks, her voice quivering and barely audible as she begins to piece together what all of this means. “My name is Rodriguez, too.”
Her words cut into my chest like jagged ice. Reaching for Aria's arms, I slide her around to my front where I can hold her close. She burrows into my neck as I kiss her head, and I hold her as tightly as I can, praying she can feel the love and safety in my embrace.
“This isn't about you, sweetie. You're safe. Everything is going to be okay.”
From the moment Aria was born, I knew I would do anything to protect this beautiful little child of mine. I'd lay down my life for her, if it ever came to that. Hopefully this situation won't warrant such drastic measures, but Aria's fear alone is enough to make my blood boil and spark protective outrage.
I begin walking back toward the parking lot, determined to soothe Aria's anxiety by distancing her from the damage. Natalie follows with a furrowed brow, her worried thoughts almost visible in her expression.
“Is there anyone who might be holding a grudge against you?” she asks cautiously, probably afraid of upsetting Aria, but unable to keep herself from fixating on the problem.
I shake my head, trying to remind myself that my frustration is with the situation and not Natalie. "It's hard to imagine anyone around here would have it out for me this bad." The thought seems absurd, yet the reality of the situation makes it a chilling plausibility.
Natalie steps closer, her voice low. "We need to consider your safety as a priority here."
"What about you?" I ask, my voice tightening with a protective edge. "You're involved, too. This isn't just about me."
She nods, acknowledging the risk, but her next words are firm, laced with determination. "I can handle myself, Julian. We should both be careful, especially here at the site. But maybe we should think about some personal safety measures, not just the site security."
The idea of Natalie possibly being in danger because of her association with me adds a new layer of urgency to the situation. I can protect Aria—I’m sure of that—but it's a lot more difficult to convince a grown woman to stay in your line of sight twenty-four seven.
"I don’t like the idea of you getting caught up in this," I admit, my concern for her safety overshadowing my frustration. "Maybe you should stay away from the site for a few days, at least until we get the new security measures in place."
“Geez, not you too,” Natalie groans with a roll of her eyes. Then she brightens, giving me a reassuring smile and a gentle squeeze of my arm. "I appreciate your concern, but I’m not backing away. We'll face this together, okay? We're stronger as a team."
Her words bolster my resolve, and I nod, grateful that someone else—probably Jack—is also watching out for her welfare. "Together, then," I agree, anger shifting into motivation. "We’ll figure this out. For now, let’s document everything we can and report it to the police. We need to make sure they take this seriously."
A silent moment passes as we stare at each other, a strange energy passing between us. I want to hold her, draw her close and kiss her, take her home with me and make sure she's safe. But it's more complicated than that. This thing between us is so new, so fragile. I'm still finding my footing on new ground, and I'm not sure I'm ready to introduce Aria to that world, either.
But the memory of our time together flashes through my mind, intensifying my desire to protect Nat and the need to touch her, even though I know she is more than capable of looking after herself.
Deciding a small contact wouldn't be so bad, I shift Aria’s small body under one arm, and extend my other hand to Natalie, and she readily takes it, lacing her fingers with mine.
I look into her eyes, the resolve firm in my voice. "Whatever this is about, I won’t let it hurt you, Natalie," I declare.
Aria lifts her head. “Or me, right Daddy?” Her voice is small, timid.
I rest my cheek on her hair, sending all of my love for her through that simple touch. “Right, kiddo. Daddy always keeps you safe.”
Natalie’s expression softens, touched by the sincerity in my words, or maybe my affection toward Aria. "Then we’ll just have to make sure we both stay safe," she quips, lightening the mood with a playful pinch of Aria's ribs. "Besides, you're not getting rid of me that easily."
I almost laugh, and I'm grateful for Natalie’s ability to balance concern with humor, easing the weight of the situation. "That’s reassuring to hear," I reply, my spirits lifted by her optimistic presence. "Speaking of staying safe, I like your idea of getting some personal security. For us and you. It’s just that I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you because of this... mess."
She nods in agreement, her gaze serious again. "That sounds like a good idea. I hate to think it’s come to this, but better safe than sorry. I'll do some research tonight and let you know what I come up with."
The decision feels like a solid plan, an actionable step we can take amidst the uncertainties swirling around us. It’s a protective measure that offers a semblance of control, something concrete we can do to safeguard not just our physical safety but also our peace of mind.
As we lock up the site and prepare to leave, the bond between us feels stronger, fortified by our shared concerns and collective resolve to face whatever challenges might come our way. We walk to our cars, the earlier strain replaced by a quiet confidence in our partnership and what we can accomplish together.
Despite our attempts to maintain a sense of normalcy, the weight of the situation presses down on us as I buckle Aria into her car seat. I have to be sure Natalie will follow through, for all our sakes. "So, you'll contact the police?"
Natalie pauses, a thoughtful expression crossing her features as she considers our next steps. "Yes, the police for sure," she begins, then, catching the seriousness in my gaze, she lightens the mood with a playful suggestion, "Maybe we should hire a private investigator?" Her tone is teasing, a twinkle in her eye suggesting the absurdity of it.
I chuckle, though the idea doesn’t seem absurd to me at all given the dramatic nature of our predicament. "Does this town even have one of those?" The joke does its job, lightening the mood momentarily and bringing a smile to both our faces.
However, as the laughter fades, my protective instincts surge back to the forefront. I look at her intently, the lingering fear that someone out there means us harm causing my voice to tighten. "Natalie, promise me you’ll be careful," I say earnestly, needing to hear her assurance.
She nods, understanding the gravity behind my request. "I promise, Julian," she replies, her voice firm yet gentle, reassuring me that she takes the threat as seriously as I do.
Feeling a strange mix of relief and unresolved tension, I close Aria's door and lead Nat around to the back of the car. My hands find her waist, pulling her gently toward me.
"I'm going to hold you to that," I whisper just before leaning in to capture her lips with mine.
The kiss is deep and consuming, a fervent expression of my concerns, desires, and the growing affection between us. It's arousing, our bodies pressed close against the trunk of my car.
As our lips move in sync, the uncertainty around us melts away, grounding us in the respite of our newfound relationship. Natalie responds with equal passion, her hands sliding up to tangle in my hair, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss.
As we finally, reluctantly, break away, we are both breathless, our foreheads resting against each other, our breath mingling in the cool morning air.
"Take care of yourself," I murmur, the words a whispered vow against her lips.
"I will. You too, Julian," she replies, her voice soft, yet laced with a strength that reassures me she can handle whatever comes our way.
With one last lingering look, we slowly separate. I watch her climb into her car as I fold into mine, both of us starting our engines and heading for home.
“I'm sorry if that was kind of scary for you, sweetie,” I apologize to Aria, ready to help her begin processing the situation.
“Don't worry, Daddy,” Aria assures me in her strongest big-girl voice. “I'm not scared. I'm brave—just like Natalie!”
Her words, and the simple truthfulness of them, bring a smile to my face as they strengthen my determination. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I am resolved to face them. My girls—both of them—are going to be just fine, because we're all going to navigate the uncertain waters of our future together.