Page 80 of Blackmail of a Billionaire

“No,” she answered with a shake of her head, “because none of that rings true to me. None of it sounds like Grant.”

“Well, it is. Whether you want to face it or not.”

Julia’s eyebrows knitted as she considered how to continue the conversation when her phone rang.

“Is that him?” Kyle asked.

“No,” she said with a shake of her head as she answered. “Sierra, I’m running a little late. I’ll be right there…yes, I know…I’m sorry…yes, I know where the Dolce shop is. I will be there soon. Okay, bye.”

Julia ended the call and leveled her gaze at him. “You said you had information about him, things that he’d done that would change my mind. Was that it?”

Kyle pressed his lips together, clasping his hands together until his knuckles went white. He was becoming agitated, and Julia suddenly felt nervous and very glad she’d brought James.

“I can’t…there are things, Julia, that he’s done–”

“What?” she interrupted.

“I can’t tell you if you’re just going to go back to him. But it’ll all come out. I just…want you away from him when it does.”

Julia flicked her gaze to the cloudy sky again. “That’s not going to happen. And if you don’t have any other details, then this conversation–”

“Please don’t leave. I’m…I just…I care about you. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. I don’t want to see you hurt. I can help you. I can protect you.”

Julia rose, her purse clutched in her hands. “I don’t need protection from Grant. Stop this ridiculous campaign to smear my husband’s name.”

“Julia, wait…” Kyle raced after her as she strode toward the car.

“Whoa, whoa, I don’t think so,” James said, blocking him from coming near her.

“Julia! Julia, you’re going to regret this,” he shouted as she ducked into the backseat of the car. James slammed the door shut, drowning out his pleas before he slid in behind the wheel. Julia chewed her lower lip, trying to dismiss his ranting as idle threats.

She offered James a glance through the rearview mirror as he fired the engine. “Please don’t say I told you so.”

“No judgment. I actually think it’s pretty fantastic you just did that for Mr. Harrington.”

She offered him a smile as they pulled away from the curb, leaving a disgruntled-looking Kyle behind.

“All ready to shop?”

Julia sucked in a breath. “Not really. That solved nothing. We’re no further ahead than we were before.”

“Maybe the shopping is just the thing you need, then.”

“Maybe,” she answered doubtfully as they navigated to the shopping district.

James eased the car to a stop outside the handbag shop and helped Julia from the car. “Straight inside and stay there while I park the car, got it?”

“Yes,” she said with a nod before she strode into the store.

“There you are,” Sierra’s sharp voice said.

Julia found her comparing two large bags, one hanging around each arm. “Sorry, I’m late. It’s been a long day already.”

Sierra arched her eyebrow. “Whatever. We’re supposed to be shopping and bonding.”

“Right. Which bag do you like?” Julia asked, trying to shove away the tension of her last meeting.

“Both.” She dumped them both with the salesgirl and looped her arm through Julia’s. “Now, it’s your turn.”

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