Page 12 of Battle with a Billionaire

His ringing phone allowed him a momentary distraction from that worrisome notion. He checked the call ID display, finding Kathryn’s name again.

With a swipe, he accepted the call. “I thought we were set for tomorrow morning. You working overtime?”

“I am. Because we’ve got some trouble. And I don’t think we can wait until tomorrow to discuss it.”

Grant swallowed hard, the unease that crept into him a moment ago spreading exponentially. What kind of problem was he facing this time?

CHAPTER 4

JULIA

Julia’s feet slapped the marble floor as she struggled to keep up with Sierra’s quick pace. The woman dragged her up the stairs, threading through the opulent halls with determination until they reached her office.

Julia sucked in a deep breath from the frenzied walk through the halls. “Wow, I guess this is important?”

“Exceptionally,” Sierra answered. “But first…”

Julia arched an eyebrow as Sierra’s voice trailed off.

The woman narrowed her eyes at Julia. “What did Daddy mean Kyle came on too strong?”

Julia heaved a sigh, already tired of talking about it. “Nothing. It’s over.”

“Ohhh, wow. This must be good. What did Kyle do? Peep on you? Touch you inappropriately? Worse than that?”

“No, Sierra. No. It’s over, okay? He’s moved out. Let’s just move on.”

Sierra crossed her arms with a shrug. “Fine. I mean, if you want my imagination to run wild, we can just stop talking about it. But just so you know, I have an amazing imagination. So…”

Julia shook her head, her lips threatening to curl into a smile at Sierra’s unique blend of bluntness and humor–or maybe she was serious. Either way, it was a reminder of how close she’d grown to the people in this house. “Oh my goodness, Sierra. He told me he had feelings for me and kissed me. See? Nothing that tawdry.”

Sierra gasped, her red lips forming a wide O. “No! Oh, I knew it. I knew he had the hots for you. Oh wow, that’s…and you went to his apartment. I’ll bet he watched you sleep, that little creep.”

“It’s over now,” Julia said. “He’s been told in no uncertain terms by both myself and Grant that I am already married and that’s that.”

Sierra arched an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Kyle’s crazy. He didn’t get his nickname for nothing.”

Julia sucked in a breath. “I’m not sure what else he can do after I’ve told him no.”

“Drug you. Kidnap you. Keep you lightly sedated while he makes you dance with him to Patsy Cline music. All the things crazy people do when they’re trying to impress you.”

Julia screwed up her face. “I think you’ve been watching too many Lifetime movies, Sierra.”

“What are those?” she asked.

“Never mind. What was exceptionally important enough to drag me up here? It’s not about purse shopping, is it? Because I really need a full day at Harrington Global tomorrow.”

“No, of course not. If it was purse shopping, I’d have said ‘of vital importance.’ This is only exceptionally important.”

Julia crinkled her brow, still trying to grasp Sierra’s order of priorities. “Right, okay, so what is it?”

“Do you remember Christopher Metcalfe?”

Julia searched her memory for the night of the dinner party they’d hosted. She hadn’t liked the man. She found him poking around in a private area of the house, and when she’d voiced her opinion, Sierra had bitten her head off. “Yes, I remember.”

“You didn’t like him.”

“That’s right because–”

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