Page 64 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

Could he discredit the man? Set him up to look like he was with another woman? It might break her heart…but it would ruin her relationship with Luke.

He swallowed another glassful of liquor as he considered it. Maybe a simple confrontation with the man would do it. And he knew just where to find him.

He poured one last drink and downed it before he left the living room behind and grabbed the key for the car.

The cool night air revived him a little after the multiple drinks. He slid behind the wheel of the car, rehearsing the speech he’d give the man.

“Leave Julia alone. She’smywife.”

He imagined the man scoffing at him as he told him Julia loved him.

“You can’t give her what I can,” he mumbled as he navigated down the road, swerving the wheel on a curve.

As he hit a straight piece of the road, red and blue lights flared behind him.

“Oh, great,” he grumbled as the siren wailed.

His shoulder slumped as he pulled to the side. The police vehicle rolled to a stop, lights still revolving on top.

He sincerely hoped he could talk himself out of this or that he hadn’t had enough bourbon to put him over the legal limit.

However, he wondered about that in this town.

The officer strode to his window slowly, each calculated footstep heightening Grant’s anxiety. The officer’s bright flashlight, more like an interrogator’s beam, bore into the car’s interior. He held a hand up against it, squinting until he recognized Ethan. His heart sank as he spotted his brother-in-law.

The man shook his head, clicking his tongue as he stepped back and waved his hand. “Step out of the car, please.”

“Is that necessary?”

“I said step out.”

Ethan stepped back as Grant let his head smack against the headrest behind him. This was the last thing he needed. And possibly the final nail in his coffin with Julia.

CHAPTER 14

JULIA

Julia climbed the stairs, leaving Grant behind. Her nerves were at their breaking point. Exhaustion coursed through her.

Between her lack of sleep and the emotionally charged encounters since they’d stepped foot in Harbor Cove.

They’d had a relatively easy conversation on the short drive home. She had been thankful for that as she didn’t have the energy to make more small talk with Grant. Why had he shown up at the restaurant?

But more importantly, what would have happened if he hadn’t?

Her mind whirled as she shut herself in her room and collapsed against the door. With a long, slow breath out, she tried to hold her emotions in check. But they threatened to spiral out of control. Her mixed-up mind couldn’t piece together where she belonged.

She felt like she had one foot in each camp. Part of her belonged here with her sister and Luke. Another part of her felt at home in her new life.

But her sister’s words stuck in her head.You’re only going to be with them for another eight months.

She wrapped her arms around herself, the weight of her decisions feeling heavier than ever.

A tear escaped to her cheek, the hot liquid rolling to her chin where it clung for a moment before dropping.

She slid down the door, collapsing against it as the floodgates opened. Tears flowed freely as her mind tried to make sense of her feelings. They streaked down her cheeks, each one a silent testament to the war raging in her heart.

She gasped in a few breaths, trying to stop the flood that poured from her, but she wasn’t able to. So many things felt unfinished. So many things needed to be said. But she wasn’t certain she could bring herself to say any of them.