Page 75 of Blackmail of a Billionaire

“I would punch him again for your honor if I had to.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I’m really getting tired of sitting in those uncomfortable chairs at the police station.”

Grant couldn’t stop the laugh from escaping him.

She chuckled along with him. “You laugh, but I’m being serious.”

He stared down at her, those unsaid words creeping into his mind again as they shared an easy moment despite the trouble.

“I promise to try not to get arrested again.”

She arched an eyebrow at him, a coy smile playing on her lips. “Let’s see how long of a streak we can create, shall we?”

“As long as Kyle Carter stays away from you, that should be easy.”

A quiet knock interrupted them. Worthington stepped into the room. “Is everything all right? Can I bring you anything, Mrs. Harrington?”

“No, thank you, Worthington,” she answered as Grant turned more serious.

“No, everything is not all right. That was not her brother-in-law on the phone, it was Kyle Carter.”

The color drained from Worthington’s face. “Oh, my. My apologies, Mrs. Harrington, had I realized–”

“It’s not your fault, Worthington,” Julia said. “You couldn’t have known.”

“If she gets any other calls, stay with her and make sure it’s legitimate,” Grant said.

“Of course, Mr. Harrington.” Worthington flicked heartsick eyes to Julia. “I am ever so sorry, Mrs. Harrington.”

Julia’s features melted as she left Grant to wrap a consoling arm around the man. “Oh, Worthington, it’s not your fault. It’s nothing to be upset over.”

The man offered her a faltering smile. Grant marveled at the scene. His third wife would have fired the man on the spot. In fact, she’d tried several times. He recalled her complaining that Grant was more loyal to his butler than her after one of them.

Julia, however, consoled the man, assuring him the mistake was nothing to fret over. He’d really never met anyone like her.

The chiming of his phone interrupted the sweet moment. He tugged the device from his pocket and studied the screen with a sigh.

“Grant?” Julia asked, her hand still holding Worthington’s.

“There’s a problem at the office.” He pressed his cell phone to his ear. “What is it?”

“Mr. Harrington,” the voice of Mike Donovan, his vice-president of security said, “sorry to interrupt your day, but we have a situation here.”

“What kind of situation?”

The man hesitated as though he didn’t want to pass the news along. “A major security breach.”

Grant’s hand tightened around the phone as the words sank in. A security breach could mean anything from leaked confidential data to a direct threat to the company’s stability. Worst-case scenarios flashed through his mind. “How bad is it?”

“We’re still assessing that, but it’s not good.”

“I’ll be right there.” Grant ended the call and slid his eyes closed for a second. “I’ve got to go to the office.”

“Is everything okay?”

“No, but let’s hope this isn’t as big of a problem as it could be.” Grant skirted around Julia, heading for the door.

“Good luck,” she called.

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