Page 36 of Only If You Dare

Chapter Twelve

Julian

I grabbed the keys to the Bentley Bentayga, and my brother Josiah and I headed out the door. Josiah landed earlier that morning on an overnight flight from Chicago. I had plans to give another brother, Jonathon, a ring since he owned the fastest growing private security group on the east coast. But due to unforeseen circumstances, Jonathon was unavailable, so Josiah was my backup. When I first told Josiah I needed him to look after someone for me, he assumed Santana was a special friend of mine. But when he found out she wasn’t, he’d been all too quick to hop on the next flight out. My cell sounded at the same time we made it to the elevator.

“Talk to me,” I answered.

“Julian, hi this is Claudia. Jaden told me you were in Houston. Have you seen my sister by any chance?”

The elevator doors opened and Kelsey, my assistant, stood with a duffle bag on her shoulder. We stepped in quickly, and Josiah and Kelsey spoke as I took the bag off her hands.

“Yes, I’m on my way to pick her up now.”

Claudia became quiet.

“You are?”

“Yes, she’s doing a spread on me and A Few Good Men for the Houston Report. I’m surprised Jaden didn’t tell you,” I said evenly.

“He probably didn’t think to mention it. If you could, tell Desiree to call me. I’ve tried reaching out to her several times with no answer.”

I picked up on a strained undertone. “Is everything alright, Claudia?”

“With me, yes, but I saw her condo on the news a few minutes ago when I was changing channels. Apparently, the latest string of burglaries in Houston involved three local reporters from the Houston Report. What’s going on Julian, do you know?”

“Yes, it would be better if you spoke to Desiree yourself. I’ll tell her to call you.”

The elevator reached the garage floor.

“Well at least tell me she’s alright.”

“Yes, she’s fine. And I’m making sure she stays that way.

I heard her let out a breath.

“Okay, thanks for keeping an eye on her, Julian.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

“I’ll let you get back to it then,” Claudia said.

“You’ll hear from her in a few minutes.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Claudia disconnected the call and I slid my smartphone inside my jean pocket. The doors opened when we reached the ground floor, and the three of us stepped out. Walking in stride with me, Kelsey spoke.

“I’ve checked out of all the rooms, except for two since everyone will be traveling with you.”

“Which two rooms,” I asked.

“The two you requested; your suite and the one two doors down.”

“Thank you. Did you make the arrangements we spoke about this morning?”

“Yes, everything is in place.”

“That’s my girl.”

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