Page 49 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

“And maybe she didn’t tell us because she didn’t want to admit what a mistake she’d made,” Ethan said, his eyes boring into Grant.

Grant clenched a hand into a fist, but before he could respond, Alicia rejoined them at the table, alone. “Where’s Julia?”

“Your ex-wife is badgering her in the ladies’ room.”

A knot tightened in Grant’s stomach, a sinking sensation that felt like plummeting into an abyss of uncertainty and fear. “What? You left her alone with Lydia?”

He rose from the table and tossed his napkin down.

“She seemed okay?” Alicia said as Grant hurried away from the table toward the restaurant. Before he made it inside, Julia popped out into the bright sunshine.

He hurried toward her, reaching for her hand. “Julia, are you okay? Your sister said Lydia cornered you.”

“Yeah, she…” Julia glanced over her shoulder before she stepped closer. “She’s not happy. She threatened me again.”

Grant heaved a sigh. “This is getting to be too much.”

“It’s okay. She’s just…upset that we’re all away. We got a little too far from her control. I think she’s settled down now.”

He studied her, his eyes falling to the compass around her neck. It soured his stomach. He wanted to take her somewhere and hash everything out. Before he could whisk her anywhere, Lydia appeared, making him even sicker.

“What’s the matter, Romeo? Juliette get too far away?”

“Lydia, why don’t you just go home?”

“Oh, no.” She let her eyes fall on the table they’d sat at moments ago, her eyes lighting up. “I think I’ll stay. This ought to be fun.”

Julia shook her head with a sigh. “Come on, you left Kyle with the wolves.”

“Kyle can handle himself,” Grant claimed. “I think we need to talk.”

“We can’t do that now. It’s way too suspicious after Lydia just threatened me.”

“When we get home, then?” he asked.

“Sure. I’d love to know what happened before I got here. Alicia’s made her feelings about you very clear.”

He heaved a sigh, wishing her family didn’t hate him. Another strike that could turn the tides against him. “So did Ethan. He asked how much longer your prison sentence is.”

Julia huffed out a sharp breath. “I’m sorry.”

He rubbed her shoulder. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine.”

“It’s not. I should have just told them. This is definitely my fault. But we can debate that another time. We should get back there before my sister and Lydia get into a fight.”

Grant twisted to spot the two women eyeing each other.

Julia’s hand wrapped around his arm as she pulled him forward. “I’m serious. Ally can throw a mean punch.”

Grant followed her back to the table where tensions ran high.

“Well, Juju, do you have plans this afternoon?” Alicia asked.

“Uh–” Julia glanced up at Grant as he shook his head.

“Great! Maybe we can take a walk together around the pond.” Alicia slipped her hand through the crook of Ethan’s arm.

“Uh, sure, Ally. I’d be happy to.”