Page 21 of Battle with a Billionaire

“Then I’ll worry about you.”

Julia smiled at her. “I’ll text you when I’m home.”

“That would be rather appreciated, actually. I worry about you ever since our little incident.”

“I feel the same, Evie,” Julia said as the elevator doors slid open, and they stepped inside.

After escorting the woman to her car and promising to text her when she had safely arrived home, she briskly made her way to her own car, sneaking a glance at her cell phone nestled in the purse's pocket. Another message awaited her from Kyle. Did he stare at the phone until she answered? And? If this isn’t the biggest sign I’m right, I don’t know what is.

She heaved a sigh as she slid into the supple leather of her driver seat and fired the engine. It’s ancient history. Leave it in the past.

She didn’t bother to check the next message as her phone chimed from the cupholder. Instead, she concentrated on formulating the plan that would ensnare her newest employee. Christopher Metcalfe had spent the day with Human Resources becoming the newest vice-president at Harrington Global. He’d start his first full day tomorrow, and she planned to be prepared. She wanted him to lead her to whoever he was working for. She sincerely hoped it would be DG Industries.

Her mind turned to Sierra’s odd connection to the man. Why had she been so adamant about this man being hired at Harrington Global? There had to be a reason. Sierra did not make business moves out of the kindness of her heart.

She slowed at a stoplight and glanced at the waiting message. How many times does history have to repeat itself before you accept what he is?

Did Kyle have a point? Was she deluding herself? The Grant Harrington she knew didn’t fit the image Kyle or the media presented. Which one of them had it wrong?

She sidestepped the issue and sent a response. You know my thoughts on this subject. We can either stop talking, or we can move on to DG Industries. Your choice.

She dumped the phone in the cupholder as the light turned. Her phone chimed shortly after. She flicked her gaze to it but ignored it as the snarl of traffic in front of her finally started to move at a decent rate.

Within minutes, the city’s buildings receded behind her as the last glimpses of the sun sparkled on the horizon. When she eased the car to a stop, it had already disappeared. A quick glance at her phone screen as she climbed into the cool evening air curled the corners of her lips. Did you find something on DG?

At least she’d neatly cut off another lecture about her choice of husband. She’d answer him later with the details of her current plan. As she stepped inside the house, Worthington met her, taking her briefcase.

“Mrs. Harrington, welcome home. How was your day?”

“Busy,” she answered, “thank you. How was yours?”

“The same,” he answered as Grant strode from his office toward her.

“Finally home, huh?” he asked.

“Yes, sorry. I had a few things I didn’t expect.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Was Kyle one of them?”

She heaved a sigh. She’d no sooner finished with one of the pair of them when the other started. Though the bigger question was how did he know? “Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this morning when I called?”

“It wasn’t that important.”

Grant led her into his office and poured two brandies. “Julia, he has crossed multiple lines. Any contact with him is important enough to tell me about.”

She pressed her lips together before she spoke as she accepted a glass. “You two are like fire and ice, you don’t go together. The mere mention of the other one triggers you both. I didn’t tell you because you were dealing with enough. I wasn’t happy about him tracking me down at Harrington Global, but Kyle can’t seem to stop pushing boundaries.”

Grant sipped his drink as he leaned against his desk. “Someone needs to stop him.”

“Not you,” she said, flicking her gaze to him, “you’re in enough hot water with those old pictures. The last thing you need is another trip to the police station.”

“I’m worried about you,” Grant answered. “I’m serious. He just can’t seem to leave you alone. What did he want this time?”

“To talk. And to promise nothing like what happened yesterday would happen again.”

“Oh, right, like I believe that.” Grant downed the rest of his drink, then shook his head. “Did he promise to stay away from you?”

---