Page 35 of Battle with a Billionaire

She studied his features, trying to discern if he was being truthful.

“Julia, I didn’t. I had no idea what was in that envelope or that Grant could possibly stoop any lower than he already has. But I see, despite his statement earlier, he hasn’t changed his ways.”

Julia pressed her lips together as she tried to hold her emotions in check. Was Kyle right? She couldn’t deny the mounting evidence against him no matter how much she tried.

She needed more information. Or at least to look him in the eyes and hear his response. He’d been the one who suggested they not have outside attachments.

She collected her briefcase and purse. “I need to go.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t,” Kyle said as they both rose.

She stormed past him out of the office, slamming the door behind them as he followed her.

“Julia, maybe this is for the best–”

“Don’t say anything else,” she said. “I don’t want to hear it. If there’s an explanation, I’ll find out. If not–“

“If not?” he asked as she pushed the elevator button.

“Then there isn’t,” she said. “Though I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“Just make sure you’re not sifting through a pile of red flags looking for it,” Kyle said as they stepped into the elevator.

She shot him a warning glance as the doors closed and the car lowered. As they stepped out into the parking garage, Kyle stopped her before she crossed to her car. “If you need anything, I’m a call away.”

“Thank you,” she said with an appreciative glance. She left him behind as she strode to the car, the mix of tumultuous emotions swirling inside her again. She told herself she had no business feeling any of them. They were a business transaction. Nothing more. Yet, when she threw the car into gear, she still tromped on the accelerator like they were much more.

She needed answers. She needed to know if Kyle was right.

CHAPTER 9

GRANT

Grant stared at his cell phone as he sipped his bourbon, willing it to ring. Kathryn’s last text message had been ominous at best. His campaign manager, known for her unflinching approach and past successes in navigating political storms, was usually the bearer of solutions, not uncertainties.

Finally, the shrill noise broke the silence of his office. “Tell me it’s not as bad as your last text made it sound,” he said as he answered.

“I’m still trying to piece this together,” Kathryn admitted. “I’m not sure what’s going on.”

“I didn’t pay you to not know what’s going on, Kathryn. Did you or did you not tell me we should be prepared for something major an hour ago?”

“Yeah, I did. But I’ve combed every media outlet, and I’ve got nothing. I don’t understand it. My source told me there was a major move coming on the heels of those old photos and it would be damning.”

“How damning? What kind of damning? What are we talking here? Insider trading accusations? Tax evasion? What?”

“I don’t know. That’s the problem.”

“Your source knows nothing?”

“I’m telling you what I know, Grant. There’s been nothing on your end, has there?”

“No. I haven’t heard anything. It’s been eerily quiet.”

“What about the extra kid?”

Grant screwed up his face. “What?”

“The kid who showed up a few months ago. The one with the hots for your wife.”

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