Page 119 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

Grant scrubbed his face. “Fine, this place isn’t that big. I’ll just look for her.”

Ethan and Luke rose from their seats as Alicia said, “I don’t think so. Go anywhere near her, and you’ll be in a jail cell cooling your heels for at least a night.”

“You’re going to arrest me for walking through the hospital?”

“I’m going to arrest you for disturbing patients in the hospital. Don’t push me, Grant. Your reign of terror with my sister is over. You’re not going anywhere near her ever again.”

He stood there in shock and disbelief. The antiseptic smell and distant sound of machines beeping created a cold, impersonal atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the storm of emotions raging within him.

He stared at Julia’s family and friends, a group of people determined to keep him from her. How could he fight them? Could he ever win her back?

CHAPTER 26

JULIA

Arhythmic beeping filled her ears as the black haze lifted from Julia’s brain. The beeping ramped up as her heart thudded against her ribs. Where was she? Trapped?

Yes, she was trapped. She was still trapped in the cave. With her eyes still squeezed closed, she fought the urge to panic again.

Warm hands caressed her forehead and stroked her hair. “Juju?” her sister’s voice warbled, sounding far away.

She must be imagining it, wishing for the comfort of friends and family.

“Julia? Honey, open your eyes. Can you open your eyes?”

She didn’t want to do that. She didn’t want to realize she was alone, stuck in a cave. Trapped. She closed her fingers into fists as another moment of panic filled her. She’d lost the flashlight. Where had it gone? She must have fallen asleep and dropped it.

Her heart pounded faster. She had to find it. She needed it. It was a physical reminder that people were trying to rescue her.

“Can we get a little help in here?” Alicia’s voice, now further away called.

A hand slid around hers. “It’s okay, Julia. We’re all here with you.”

Luke’s voice brought her heart rate down a little from its fast pace.

“Her heart rate is really high,” Alicia said, “I think something’s wrong.”

“Julia?” an unfamiliar voice said. “Julia? Can you open your eyes?”

“I tried that,” Alicia said.

Julia processed the conversation. Was she delusional from the experience?

She swallowed hard and finally forced her eyes open. Bright light streamed into the room, blinding her. She squeezed her eyes closed again before she forced them open. The world turned bleary as tears stung her eyes.

She blinked them away, trying to focus on her environment. Concerned, but familiar faces surrounded her along with sterile white walls. Her heart raced with a cocktail of fear and relief. She was no longer trapped. The soft hum of the hospital, a world away from the cold, dark cave, surrounded her, along with friends and family. But one key person was missing.

“Hey,” Alicia said, flicking a tear from her cheek as she reached to caress Julia’s cheek. “There’s those baby blues.”

“Ally?” She swallowed hard, her throat parched and her voice hoarse.

“I’m here, baby sis, I’m right here.” She pushed past a man in a white coat, leaning forward to press her forehead against Julia’s.

Tears rolled down Julia’s cheeks as she clutched her sister’s hand. “Am I safe?”

“Yes, Juju, you’re safe. You’re safe,” Alicia sobbed out.

She pulled her head away, her hand still on her sister’s cheek. Ethan wrapped his arms around Alicia as she finally let go of Julia’s cheek to flick away a few of her fallen tears.