Page 72 of Blackmail of a Billionaire

“Yes. I have been extremely worried about you, especially when they told me Grant had left the police station.”

Her jaw tightened at the intrusion and the deception. “So, you lied about being a family member?”

“I had to speak to you to make sure you were safe.”

Julia’s words came out tersely as she tried to hold her anger in check. “Of course, I am safe. This has gone too far.”

“Julia, please–“

“No!” she said sharply. “Your assumptions are wrong. And I am getting tired of this. Do not call here again.”

“Julia, wait,” he said. “There are things you don’t know. Things about him that would make you see it my way.”

“I doubt that. Don’t call again.” She jabbed at the button to end the call and slammed the phone onto the desk. Something was definitely off here, but she had no idea what it could be.

CHAPTER 19

GRANT

Grant eased into the high-backed leather chair with a sigh as Julia left the room. His eyes fell on the wedding picture on the desk, the corners of his lips curling as he spotted her smile. He traced his finger over the frame, lost in thought as he recalled that light, unexpected laugh. With her eyes alight with genuine amusement and his echoing that, it was the first stirring of something more than a contractual obligation.

The picture had started as a fake facade for the public, but it had started to symbolize something more personal, something he hadn’t anticipated. Yes, he could easily see how Dr. Kyle Carter could become infatuated with her.

The thought of the man erased any trace of the grin from his features. His continued harassment of Julia raised his hackles. At least he should have no ability to get to her here.

If the shopping trip with Sierra hadn’t meant so much to his daughter, he’d have asked them to cancel it, but he spotted something in Sierra’s eyes when Julia had accepted that made him reluctant to refuse her.

He drummed his fingers against the mahogany desk as he pictured another encounter with Kyle Carter approaching Julia as she shopped for shoes. His fingers twisted into a fist until he remembered Sierra’s presence. There was no way the man would get within spitting distance of Julia with Sierra around.

The corners of his lips turned up into a smile as he imagined Sierra’s sharp manicured nail poking at the good doctor until she backed him out of the store. Sierra may be a better guard dog than anyone on his security team. Though he’d still send someone with her.

He snatched the receiver on his phone and punched the button to call one of his most trusted employees. “James,” he said when the man picked up.

“Mr. Harrington, good morning. Heading into the office early?”

“No, I’m not certain I’ll go in today, but if I do, I’ll drive myself. I have something more important for you to do today.”

“Absolutely, sir, name it.”

“Julia is going shopping with Sierra this afternoon. After the incident with the car and then the doctor, I don’t want her going anywhere alone. I need you to keep an eye on her.”

“Absolutely. I’ll make sure she gets there safe.”

Grant’s voice softened. “James, you’ve been with me for a long time. I trust you more than anyone to keep Julia safe. She means…it’s important.”

“I’ve got it covered.”

“Don’t let her out of your sight, James. There are too many threats on the horizon.”

“Yes, sir.”

He ended the call before he tapped his mouse to bring his monitor to life. He clicked through a few emails before Worthington slid into the room. “Working from home today, sir?”

“Yes, I think so. I’d like to stay close to Julia.”

“Is Mrs. Harrington still upset? She seemed more chipper at breakfast.”

“No, she’s not upset. We had a long talk last night and settled a few things. It’s these threats. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”

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