Page 13 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

“Oh, really?” Alicia asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Well, thank you for your expert opinion, doctor. I’d like a moment alone with my sister.”

Grant bristled at the idea. Julia had been through enough in the past year than to have to deal with a sister who wanted to berate her for the decision to withhold their fake marriage from her. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Are you always this controlling?” Alicia asked.

“Ally…” Ethan said, sliding a hand around his wife’s shoulders.

She shook it off. “No, don’t Ally me. My sister has been married for over a year and said nothing to me. Not a peep. And now I can’t even have a conversation alone with her because her new family won’t allow it.”

Grant’s frustration peaked with the woman. “That’s not what I said.”

“It’s fine,” Julia added when two police radios crackled to life.

A smoky voice filled the air. “Ethan, hon, we’ve got reports of a small craft adrift in the northern cove. Requesting multiple units to respond.”

Sierra wrinkled her nose as Ethan responded. “Got it. Alicia and I are on our way.”

“Well, there’s that. I’ve got to go. Have fun with your new family.”

Julia clicked her tongue at the statement. “Ally…”

Her sister offered a dismissive wave as she stalked from the house.

“I’ll talk to her,” Ethan said as he backed from the room. “It’s good to see you, Juju.”

Julia’s tense muscles finally relaxed a little, but no comfort crossed her eyes even after their police cars sped from the driveway with lights and sirens.

“Did that dispatcher just call him hon?” Sierra asked.

“Rose always calls him that,” Julia answered.

Sierra’s features crinkled. “And what’s with the weird nickname?”

“When I was born, my sister couldn’t pronounce my name. She called me Juju. Then my parents started to call me that. And then everyone called me that.”

“Like the whole town?”

Julia nodded. “Like the whole town.” Her voice cared an extra tone of exhaustion.

Grant slipped an arm around her again and led her to the couch. “Why don’t we try to forget about it?”

“Right,” Sierra chimed in. “This is supposed to be our vacation. We’re supposed to be having fun. We need more champagne.”

“No,” Julia said as she leapt from the seat she’d just taken next to Grant. “I think I’ll go upstairs and turn in.”

“Now?” Sierra questioned. “We haven’t even had dinner.”

“I’m not that hungry,” Julia admitted.

“Well, make sure you’re at breakfast because I’ve got an entire thing planned tomorrow!” Sierra called after her.

“Julia, wait,” Grant said as he hurried after her.

She spun to face him, though she kept her eyes trained on the floor. He’d learned to read that as upset churning inside her that she wasn’t going to tell him about. “I’m okay, I just…I’m over this day. I’ll give her the night to cool off. She may be more reasonable in the morning.”

“I wish you’d stay with us.”

She offered him a fleeting smile as she grabbed his hand. “We’ll have the whole day tomorrow with whatever Sierra has planned.”