Page 6 of Believing in a Billionaire (Hearts and Holdings #7)

JULIA

J ulia eased the car to a stop in a parking space before stepping out into the cold, dimly lit garage of her former apartment building. The damp chill sent a shiver racing down her spine, though she didn’t know if it was from the air or the coming confrontation.

Alicia’s marriage was on the rocks and hers was just beginning. A relationship she would have to confess to her sister. And one that her sister would hate.

Her heart thudded against her ribs as she pulled open the metal door to the stairwell, wincing as it scraped against the concrete floor. She climbed the stairs to her former floor and tugged open the door, catching sight of the figure huddled outside her old apartment.

As she stepped into the hall, Alicia flicked her gaze to her sister, her features melting as she climbed to her feet and held her arms out for a hug.

Julia hurried to her and wrapped her sister in an embrace. “Oh, Ally, I’m so sorry.”

Alicia sobbed as she clung to Julia. “Thank you for coming. I know I messed up really big when you were home, but I needed my sister after what happened, and I just…”

Her sister’s words came out a slurred mess as she wept and spoke at the same time.

Julia cupped Alicia’s face in her hands. “Shh, it’s okay. Don’t worry about what happened in the past right now, okay? Let’s just get you settled.”

Alicia bobbed her head up and down as she flicked away tears and grabbed Julia’s hand. “Thanks, sis. Can we maybe go inside so I can cry in private?”

She shifted her red-rimmed eyes around the hall. “I feel like people are staring through their peepholes at the free show.”

“They’re not. But…no we can’t go inside,” Julia said with a wince.

Alicia offered her a stunned glance. “Julia, I know I messed up–”

Julia shook her head, cutting off her sister’s words. “No, it has nothing to do with that, Ally. I don’t live here anymore.”

Alicia’s features twisted with understanding. She hurried back to retrieve her duffel bag. “Oh my goodness. I’ve been sitting outside of someone else’s door crying for like an hour. They’re probably afraid to come out of their apartment. When did you move?”

Julia opened her mouth to answer when Alicia answered for her.

“Oh, duh, right, you let go of the place when you married the idiot. I hope you at least got a nicer place this time around.”

“I think it’s a lot nicer,” Julia said with a nervous smile at her sister as she started down the hall toward the stairwell.

“Good. At least that worked out. Is it far from here?”

“Yeah…pretty far,” Julia answered as she tried to figure out how to tell her sister she was still living at Harrington House–this time without a contract.

“Of course,” Alicia said as she let her head drop between her shoulder blades. “I’m exhausted. I just want to sit in a pool of sadness on your couch, and let you hug me until I feel better.”

Julia pulled the door open and motioned for her sister to enter. “We can still do that.”

“Good, so…how many blocks? Or do we need a cab? Or a bus? How do people get around here?”

“Thing is…I’m not in the city.”

Alicia narrowed her eyes as they reached the landing on the stairs.

Julia offered her sister a nervous grin. “I, ummm, well…”

Alicia flicked her gaze to Julia’s hand, her eyes going wide. She shot her sister an excited grin. “You got engaged. Oh my gosh, you got engaged to Luke!”

Alicia flung her arms around Julia’s neck and pulled her into a tight hug. “Oh, I’m so happy for you. And that ring is beautiful. Oh, wow, it’s so much nicer than that ridiculous thing the other idiot gave you.”

“Ally,” Julia said with a tap on her back, “Ally…”

“Huh, what?” Alicia asked as she pulled back.

Julia shook her head. “I didn’t get engaged to Luke.”

The smile slid from her sister’s face, replaced by a furrowed brow. “You didn’t? Then whose…ohhhh, no. No, no, no, please don’t tell me that weird doctor.”

Julia wrinkled her nose as she shook her head. “No, I…I’m still married to Grant.”

Alicia’s features went blank. “What? Wait…so, the divorce didn’t come through yet?”

“There isn’t going to be a divorce. I…we…we’re staying together.”

“That selfish jerk! What did he pay you to get you to agree to that? Juju, it’s not nearly enough. It’s not worth the rest of your life.”

“Ally,” Julia said with a shake of her head, “you’re not understanding. There’s no contract. We’re…together. We love each other.”

The dumbfounded expression on her sister’s face spoke volumes.

“Please try to understand, Ally.”

“You’re…you…what happened to Luke? Wasn’t he here to win you back?”

“Luke’s in my past. And I told him that. I’m a Harrington now. And I would really like it if you could accept my choice.”

Alicia swallowed hard, chewing her lower lip.

“I…I’m…yeah, I’ll try. I mean…I’ll…I’m sorry, I just…

I’m shocked. I always thought you’d eventually just come home and marry Luke and now…

you’re married to him. It’s just…okay, well…

I’ll…” Alicia ran a hand through her hair as she blew out a long breath. “Find a hotel.”

“That’s nonsense. You’re coming to Harrington House with me.”

“Uhhh, sis, I think that’s a terrible idea. Grant must hate me.”

“Actually, Grant insisted I come to get you and bring you there.”

Alicia slid her eyes sideways. “Has he ever murdered anyone before?”

Julia offered her a laugh as she tugged her down the next flight of stairs.

“No. He didn’t tell me to bring you there so he could do anything to you.

He wants me to be able to have my family close.

He’s a nice guy. He’s not what you think he is.

He was just under a lot of stress with what was going on with Lydia. ”

“His ex-wife who lives with you?” Alicia asked as they exited into the garage.

“Not anymore. She was the one behind the efforts to destroy him. She was arrested a few days ago. We’re in the clear.” Julia pointed her key fob at the Porsche and unlocked it.

Alicia stopped walking, her gaze transfixed on the sporty car. “You drive a Porsche?”

“Yes. Grant bought it for me. Come on, let’s get you settled in at the house.”

She backed the car from the space and left the apartment building and the city behind as she aimed for her new home. Within the hour, they were driving through the gates to the manicured front lawn of Harrington House.

“Whoa,” Alicia said as they pulled up to the sprawling house.

Julia eased the car to a stop outside the front door and climbed out. Alicia shouldered her bag and followed her sister into the opulent foyer.

“Mrs. Harrington,” Worthington said as he crossed toward them, “I have prepared a bedroom for Ms. Alicia in the west wing. I hope you will find that suitable.”

“Yes, Worthington, thank you. That’s great.”

“Is there anything I can bring you?” he asked Alicia.

She lowered her eyes from the high ceiling, realizing he was speaking to her. “Oh, me, uhh–”

“Coffee, tea, brandy? Perhaps some breakfast?”

“Oh, uh, no, I’m fine, I’ll just–”

“We’ll have some tea, Worthington. In Alicia’s room, please.”

“Right away, Mrs. Harrington,” the butler said as he shuffled off.

“This is weird,” Alicia said as she followed Julia up the stairs. “I hope I can find my way around in here.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Julia said with a chuckle as she squeezed her sister’s hand.

As they rounded the corner, a piercing shriek stopped her heart and brought her to a standstill. Her heart thudded against her ribs as she stared at the source of the scream. Wide-eyed and jaw gaping, Sierra stared at them from across the hall before she stormed toward them.

“ What is she doing here?” Sierra poked her finger at Alicia.

“Sierra…” Julia began, keeping her voice even and soft.

“Have you lost your mind, Julia?”

“Okay, whoa, uh, I’m sorry,” Alicia began.

“Yeah, you ought to be sorry, you bi–”

“Sierra,” Julia interrupted, “let’s not say anything we might regret.”

“I would not regret saying what I was about to say. Why is she here, Julia?”

Julia sucked in a breath before she explained. “Alicia is going to be staying with us for a little while.”

“What?” Sierra’s eyes went wider. “Are you joking? Does Daddy know?”

“Yes, Grant knows. And he’s fine with it.”

“Has he lost his mind?”

“Sierra–”

“Don’t Sierra me!” she shouted.

“Hey, what is going on out here? What’s with all the shouting?” Kyle asked as he approached them. He stared at Alicia with an incredulous glance. “What is she doing here?”

“Oh, you’re kidding me,” Alicia said with a slap on her thigh. “You know, what, Julia, I’m going to a hotel.”

“Good. Preferably one outside of the state of Louisiana,” Sierra said as she crossed her arms.

“I concur,” Kyle said as he matched her stance.

Julia wrapped her arm around her sister. “She’s not going to a hotel. Alicia is staying here with us.”

“Julia!” Sierra shouted as she flung an arm at Alicia. “How can you let the woman who nearly killed me stay here?”

“What?” Julia asked.

“I didn’t nearly kill you,” Alicia retorted with a scrunched face.

“Yes, you did.”

Kyle side-eyed his sister. “Yeah, I’m not following this logic, could you explain?”

Sierra heaved a sigh. “When we were in Maine, Alicia pushed Julia to spend time with Luke. Julia did which caused a fight between Julia and Daddy. Then, Julia left, and Daddy and I got into a fight, and I left. And then Mom and I got into an argument, and I fell over a cliff and nearly died. All of that is a direct result of Alicia’s actions. Alicia almost killed me.”

Kyle rubbed his chin as he bobbed his head. “That’s a pretty solid logic.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Alicia said. “That wouldn’t hold up in any court in this country.”

Sierra’s features twisted as she jabbed a finger at Alicia. “Look, lady, let me tell you something. Julia and my daddy are married because they are in love. And you’d better not do anything to mess that up. If you’re planning to bring Luke back here–”