Page 15 of Believing in a Billionaire (Hearts and Holdings #7)

GRANT

G rant poured a bourbon with a shaky hand. He’d lied to Julia. He gulped down a swallow of drink before he poured himself more. He’d need it.

Not only because of the lies he surrounded himself with, but for what loomed on the horizon.

Lydia’s words echoed in his mind as he cradled the tumbler of alcohol close to his chest. The afternoon shadows stretched across the lawn, their dark tendrils inching closer to the window as if driven by the very malevolence that Lydia embodied.

They seemed to reach for him, a visual manifestation of the dread that had settled in his chest.

His mind settled on the phone call he’d just experienced, a shiver snaking down his spine.

“Hello, Grant.” The ice in those two words alone had been enough to stop him in his tracks, but it was the threat that came next that had forced him to make a desperate choice. “If you value the life of those around you, play it cool. There’s no need for anyone to know who’s calling.”

With the threatening note Julia received fresh in his mind, he’d told his family it was a work call and dismissed them from the office.

When he was alone, he’d tightened his grip on the phone, growling into it. “You’ve got some nerve calling me.”

The cackle that responded only increased his agitation. “Don’t bother playing tough with me, Grant. It won’t work.”

“I don’t know what judge let you out of prison, but it’s not going to last long. I’m going to–”

“Not do a thing. Not unless you want someone you love to meet with a very unfortunate accident.”

“Don’t you threaten my family.”

“You can’t do anything about it. Well, that’s a lie. You may be able to do something about it.”

His nostrils flared as he tried to suck in a steadying breath. “What are you talking about?”

“If you want to know, meet me at Riverside Park. I would highly recommend you come alone. We have quite a bit to discuss.”

His heart pounded at the invitation. He wanted to rebuff her, but he knew dismissing the offer out of hand would be a mistake. As angry as he was, he needed information. He needed to gauge what she was up to, needed some way to form a plan to stop her.

“What time?” he asked, his voice low.

“How’s four?”

“Fine.”

“It’s a date,” she said, the play in her voice at the statement turning his stomach. “See you soon, dear.”

He took another sip of his bourbon as the memory of the call faded. He hated every moment of this game.

Every word from Lydia was a barb, hooking into the fears he’d buried. It wasn’t just his family’s safety but a gnawing doubt in his own ability to protect them. Lydia’s cold, mocking laughter echoed in his mind, a chilling reminder of his vulnerabilities.

As he stared into the amber liquid swirling in his glass, a reflection of his own turmoil stared back. Lying to Julia was a betrayal of the trust they’d painstakingly built, a trust he feared was as fragile as the peace Lydia’s return threatened to shatter.

It clawed at him more deeply than he cared to admit. It wasn’t just the lie, it was the deep fear that Lydia’s return could unravel the delicate tapestry they’d stitched together.

Could he safeguard their future when the shadows of his past loomed so large?

Memories of Lydia’s manipulations flickered through his mind like ghostly warnings. He knew all too well that her freedom was a harbinger of turmoil.

But despite the turmoil churning inside him, a steely resolve took root. Grant set the bourbon down, its warmth no longer comforting against the chill of his determination. His fingers curled into fists as he silently vowed to end this, his resolve hardening.

Lydia’s games had gone on long enough. It was time to protect his family, to protect what they’d built together. He vowed to let nothing, not even Lydia, tear them apart.

A quiet voice interrupted his rumination.

He twisted to find Julia slipping into the office and plastered on a grin that he hoped hid the turmoil raging inside him. “Hi.”

He crossed to her, pulling her into his arms. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay. How are you? This has to be a shock.”

He loved how she always worried about someone else. “It is. I can’t believe any judge in his right mind would let her out after what happened. But…I’m doing everything I can to make sure she doesn’t hurt you or any of us.”

Julia massaged his shoulders. “I know you are. That’s not what I’m asking.”

He avoided the question and her gaze. He’d already lied to her several times in the short time they’d been together. He hated to keep doing it, but he didn’t want the start of their relationship to be tainted. Nor did he want her walking away.

“Grant?” she prodded.

As much as he wanted to answer her honestly, to share his concerns and fears, he didn’t want her scrambling for the exit with everything going on. Instead, he chose to present a front of confidence. “I’m fine. I’m not happy, but I’m fine.”

She rubbed his arm. “How’s everything at HG? Did you get everything squared away?”

“Almost.” Another lie, he thought as he pulled away from her, returning to his desk to retrieve his bourbon. “We’ve got all the pieces in place to solve the problem.”

“Good. I’m glad you got it solved. You know, you never said what it was.”

He shot her a glance before he returned to staring into his bourbon. There was no way he was giving her something else to worry about. “Didn’t I? Probably because it’s nothing to worry about. Just a minor thing.”

She sucked in a breath, her features pinching. She looked pale. He was doing the right thing by keeping this from her. She had enough to deal with already. “That’s good. That it was minor, I mean.”

Concern washed over him as she massaged her temples. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Just a headache. It’s been a long day.” She offered him a weak smile that didn’t quite look genuine.

He cupped her cheek in his hand, rubbing her skin with his thumb. “You sure? You look a little pale. Maybe you should lie down.”

“Yeah, maybe I will.”

That wasn’t like Julia. He narrowed his eyes at her. “Really? Do you promise or is this just you saying that before you try to take on the world?”

“No, I’m really going to rest. As long as you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, Julia,” he said with a kiss. “Hey, if you’re not feeling any better in an hour or so, maybe check with Kyle.”

She nodded. “Wow, it’s nice to see you two getting along. Even recommending him as a doctor.”

Grant grinned at her, this time the smile was genuine. “We’ve made some progress. And all because of you. We’d have never made it this far without you Julia. So, you have to take care of yourself.”

“I promise. You can even check on me if you don’t believe me.”

“I just might,” he warned, shifting his weight as he prepared to deliver another lie. “Although, I’m going to run into the office while you’re resting and finish with that little issue.”

“Okay,” she said with a squeeze of his hand. “Good luck.”

She gave him a peck before she left him behind. He watched her slip out the door as he downed the rest of his bourbon. With a shake of his head, he reassured himself that lying was the right thing to do. He was protecting her. And she needed protection. She looked overwhelmed when she’d left.

He couldn’t dump more onto her plate.

And it was too late now, anyway. He’d already made his decision. And if he didn’t leave now, he’d be late to meet Lydia. With any luck, he could end this, though he doubted it. But maybe their meeting would lead him to a solution.

He left his office behind, his eyes sliding up the staircase as his mind turned to Julia. He wanted to check on her, but he worried he’d give something away. And he didn’t want anyone stopping him from going to this meeting.

Instead, he forced himself through the front door and made his way to the garage to quietly retrieve his car. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel as his mind raced ahead to the upcoming confrontation.

As the buildings filled in around him, casting long shadows in the late afternoon sun, his stomach twisted into a tight knot. He pulled into the parking lot, second-guessing his decision to kowtow to Lydia’s whims, particularly without telling anyone.

He pushed himself to open the door and stand. With every step he took, he firmed his resolve. He would bring an end to this war with Lydia. And he’d keep his family and his company safe.

Riverside Park loomed ahead. Long shadows clawed across the path, mirroring the dread that tore at his insides. The air, crisp and biting, seemed to carry Lydia’s cold malevolence, setting his nerves on edge.

He wandered into the park, searching the area for the woman he’d somehow once been married to. He questioned how that had happened for the umpteenth time. How could he not have known what she was back then?

She’d started her path of destruction even then. Their marriage had been rocky. No matter what he’d done, she hadn’t accepted it. She’d always wanted more. And then she’d left. And left her five-year-old daughter behind.

It had devastated Sierra, scarring her for life. Until Julia had come along. She’d been the first woman to take the time to really get to know her.

He’d be damned if he let his horrible first choice in a spouse harm the family he’d finally built.

His stomach clenched as he spotted her form at the edge of the lake. He swallowed hard, pushing himself forward, determined to put an end to this.

“Lydia,” he barked out, forcing his voice into a low growl.

She twisted to face him, a smirk on her features. “Grant.”

“How did you manage to get out of jail?”

She lifted a shoulder as she let out a small laugh. “I have some…connections.”

“Connections?” he asked. “I don’t know what idiot judge let you out, but it won’t be for long.”

Lydia set a hand on her hip with a coy smile. “Oh, I wouldn’t be so certain. My husband has made certain I’ll remain a free woman.”

“Husband?” He nearly choked on the word as he wondered what poor sap had married her.

She fluttered a massive ring at him. “Mmm, yes. Rich, handsome, young.”

“What did you blackmail him with, Lydia?”

She flicked her eyebrows up, her features settling into an unimpressed glare. “He knows who to hitch his wagon to for results.”

“Does he know his wagon’s now hitched to the devil herself?” Grant asked. “I mean, who was stupid enough to marry you?”

“Alexander Knight,” she said with a cock of her head.

Grant recognized the name. He’d been the man Julia and Kyle had investigated. He’d been involved with Lydia for over a year. Grant wondered what she had on him to force his hand. “Unbelievable. Well, I don’t care how much money he has–”

“Don’t forget the young, handsome part.”

Grant’s jaw clenched as she interrupted him. “I don’t care. After what you did on that roof, you’ll be back in jail for a very long time.”

“I wouldn’t count on that,” Lydia retorted. “I’ll be around for a very long time.”

His nostrils flared as he sucked in a breath, trying to keep his anger at bay. “What do you want?”

“Impatient,” Lydia said, grinding a heel into the cobblestone under her feet. “That’s typical.”

Grant shook his head, his fingers curling into fists. “I want this over. You’ve done enough damage to my family. So, what do you want?”

Her features twisted into a sneer. “Everything.”

His heart thudded against his ribs at the word, but her next statement sent a chill down his spine.

“I want your company, your fortune, and your family. And I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure I rip them out of your hands.”

He scoffed at the statement as he shook his head. “You’re not taking any of it, Lydia. Not on my watch.”

“You never could hide your fears from me, Grant. How touching, trying to play hero.” Lydia’s voice sliced at him like a knife, her words laced with venom. “But we both know, deep down, you’re terrified you’ll fail them…just like you failed us.”

“I won’t fail them. We fell apart because of your choices, not mine. You can’t steal anything from me now.”

Lydia laughed, her typical cackle. “But I’ve already started, Grant. On all fronts. You are about to lose everything.”

She twisted to glance out over the lake before she refocused her gaze on him.

“I’ve set the stage for a little…drama. Your precious Harrington Global might find its foundations shaken sooner than you think.

And Julia…well, wouldn’t it be tragic if her knight in shining armor couldn’t save her this time? ”

Grant swallowed hard as she said the words. Though they were likely her usual threats, after everything that had happened and continued to happen, he couldn’t help but wonder what horror they had to look forward to. And if they could stop it.