He offered her a fleeting smile as he strode from the room.
She flicked her gaze back to Kyle. “Everything go okay between you and Grant?”
“Yeah. Sierra babbled most of the time while I reflected on owing my life to the very strange Alex Stone. Did he really hack every camera in the city?”
“Practically,” she said with a laugh as Sierra stomped her way back into the room.
“Good news, peeps, I found a doctor who says if you’re wound looks good, and we have a home health team in place, we can take you home today!” She waved hand in the air as she struck a pose. “You’re welcome.”
He sucked in a breath, wincing a little as he rubbed at his ribs.
“You sure you’re okay?” Julia asked.
“I’m fine. I now understand why you hate it here.”
She giggled. “Doctors make the worst patients.”
“No, you outdo me still. You don’t listen to anything.”
“Good thing,” she said with pointed glance.
He threaded his fingers through hers. “Yeah. Thank you, Julia. I…would never leave like that. Thank you for looking for me.”
“Of course. And let’s not let this happen again. Please no major fights with Grant. We need to stick together.”
“Oh, that’s right, you do,” a new voice said.
The hairs on the back of Julia’s neck stood up as her muscles stiffened. She snapped her gaze to the door, her eyes going wide as she spotted Lydia sauntering into the room. Her jaw clenched. “What are you doing here?”
“Just stopped by to see how the patient was,” Lydia answered.
With one hand, Julia’s fingers curled into fists while she maintained a tight hold of Kyle’s hand with her other.
“Get out of here!” Sierra shouted at her mother. “You’re not welcome here.”
“That’s right, you’re not. Get out, Lydia.”
“Oh, I’m leaving. I just wanted to pass along my best wishes for a speedy recovery.”
Julia narrowed her eyes at the woman.
“I’m so pleased to see that your family has rallied around you in an intriguing plot twist no one saw coming.” Lydia took a few steps to the door before she twisted. “I really hope nothing ruins the progress you’re making.”
Julia tightened her jaw as Lydia stalked from the room. She yanked her hand from Kyle’s as she stormed after the woman into the hall. With her fists clutched at her sides, she shouted after the woman. “Lydia!”
Lydia spun, arching an eyebrow at her. “Julia, something I can help you with?”
“Oh, yes,” Julia said as she stalked closer, her nostrils flaring.
“And what is that?”
She lifted her chin as they came within inches of each other. “You’re not going to win. And if you ever touch one hair on any of my family’s heads again, I will make sure it’s the last thing you do.”
Lydia drew her chin back to her chest before a laugh bubbled up, turning into a full-blown cackle. “Oh, my. Mama bear mode activated.”
As Lydia’s laughter faded, Julia’s initial surge of anger gave way to a cold, calculating resolve. Lydia’s malice wasn’t just a business rivalry, but a personal threat to everything she held dear.
“You’re damn right it is. And I’m not kidding, Lydia. What you did to Sierra, and then Kyle…” She sucked in a breath as she tried to temper her anger. “Don’t push me. I will end you.”