Page 34 of Battle with a Billionaire

“Julia, you naughty girl,” he said with a devilish grin. “So, when do you think we’ll know?”

“I hope soon. Otherwise, I may have to admit that we’re barking up the wrong tree, which leaves us with nothing.”

Kyle held a finger up as he gave her a conspiratorial grin. ”Unless–“

“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “We’re not tailing anybody.”

“But–“

“No! After you got caught, Alexander Knight will be watching for that. We can’t do that now.”

“So, then we have to hope your instincts are right about Metcalfe.”

She bobbed her head up and down. “So, I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

“I’ll be waiting. So, do you have plans for dinner?”

“I do, and they are with my husband and family.”

Kyle’s jaw tensed at the words. “Isn’t he too busy with his campaign?”

“No. And you are welcome to come by if you’d like.”

“He doesn’t want me there.”

“No, but Lydia misses you.”

Kyle wrinkled his nose. “What? When did she say this?”

“Last night. She misses...wait, how did she put it? The eye candy.”

Kyle offered a disgusted sigh mixed with a groan. “Did she at least get my name right?”

Julia shook her head. “Nope. Cody.”

“Wow,” he said, as her line trilled on the desk. She glanced out into the darkened space where Evelyn sat before she shifted her gaze back to the phone. Was it Mike Donovan?

She answered, finding the security guard from the lobby on the line. “I got a guy says he’s got a package for you.”

“Okay, send him up,” she said.

A minute later, the elevator dinged. The courier entered her office, waving an envelope. “Mrs. Grant Harrington?”

“That’s me,” she said as she accepted it and signed his electronic signature pad. “Thanks.”

Kyle checked his watch. “It’s kind of late for a delivery.”

Julia shrugged as she sliced open the thick envelope and pulled out the contents. Heat washed over her as she studied the photos. Candid pictures of Grant with another woman, smiling, laughing, and finally kissing her before they got into a hotel elevator. A typed note said, “Thought you might like to see these.”

Unlike the photos on the news yesterday, these weren’t ancient. In fact, he’d been wearing that suit just last week. A rush of conflicting emotions shot through her–disbelief, betrayal, and an untested sting of jealousy. Despite their business-like arrangement, the photos struck a chord deeper than she cared to admit. She forced herself to recall that their marriage was just a contract, nothing more. So why did it feel like so much more at this moment?

She squeezed her eyes closed as she shoved them back inside the envelope.

“Oh, Julia, wow. I’m so sorry,” Kyle said softly.

She snapped her gaze to him. “Did you do this?”

“What? No! I didn’t do this.” His features pinched at the accusation.

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