Page 28 of Battle with a Billionaire

“I just…” Kyle began before he shot a glance at Grant and shook his head.

“Don’t do it,” Julia warned. “You stink at it.”

“I do not.”

“You do so. And you can’t get into any more trouble.”

He flicked his gaze to the floor, his frustration clear from the way his jaw flexed.

Grant’s own jaw tensed as he watched the exchange. He hated that they’d somehow bonded over an investigation on his behalf. “How about no tailing people at all? Either of you. And definitely not the two of you together. I can’t believe I have to tell you two this.”

“Hey,” Julia chided as she offered him an amused expression, “I have experience.”

Grant slid his arm around her again. “I don’t care, Juls. I don’t want you in any danger.”

“I would never endanger Julia,” Kyle chimed in. “She means a lot to me, beyond just a–”

“Don’t,” Julia said with a firm shake of her head.

Kyle held up a hand. “Sorry. It’s late. I’m agitated.”

Grant heaved a sigh, wanting to put the incident behind him. “It is late. We should get going.”

“Do you need us to drop you at your apartment?” Julia asked, making Grant’s skin crawl.

“No, I’ll walk. It’s fine.”

“Kyle, it’s all the way across town.”

With an abundance of reluctance, Grant grumbled out the words, “I’d be happy to drive you.”

The smile Julia offered him made the effort worth it.

“Fine,” Kyle said.

As they stepped out of the police station, the stark fluorescent lights gave way to the dim glow of the streetlamps. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the station’s claustrophobic corridors.

They climbed in Grant’s Mercedes and threaded through the quiet streets. After dropping off Kyle, they spent a quiet ride back to Harrington House, pulling in a few hours before their alarms were set to go off.

After a quiet thank you from Julia, they parted ways in the still silent halls, going to their separate rooms. As Grant stretched out in bed for a few extra hours of sleep, the events of the night flitted through his mind.

As much as he hated to bail Kyle out of jail, the fact that Julia had trusted him enough to come to him for help eased the pain. Maybe their relationship could thrive. For the first time in his life, he had a real partner. He drifted off determined to keep her in his life.

When the alarm ripped through the silence the next morning, he hadn’t lost his resolve. Maybe he’d talk to her sooner rather than later.

As he straightened his tie before pulling on his jacket, he practiced what he might say rather than going over his material for the press conference this morning. With Julia standing next to him, he could pull anything off.

He glided easily through breakfast, and, with Julia standing next to him, made his statement about being a changed man thanks to the support of his new wife. The words rolled easily since he meant every one of them.

As they left the glare of the cameras behind, Grant grabbed her elbow. “Julia, thank you.”

“Of course,” she said with a smile. “And now, sorry to abandon you, but I need to get back to the office.”

“Sure. We’ll talk later, okay?”

“Good luck,” she said with a squeeze of his arm. “I hope that puts this to rest.”

A small smile played on his lips as she departed. The weight of the scandal lifted from his shoulders, leaving behind a rare moment of peace.

---