Page 45 of Bliss with a Billionaire

“To what do I owe the displeasure? I haven’t summoned you.”

“No, you haven’t. But we need to have a…discussion.” He pushed into her apartment.

“I don’t think so. Get out.” Lydia poked a finger toward the door.

“No, Lydia. You’ve gone too far. And I’m not going to put up with it anymore.” He spun to face her. “I’m going to put a stop to this once and for all.”

He left the threat hanging between them as he stalked back over and pushed the door closed. This was going to end here and now. He was sick of worrying about his family, sick of seeing them hurt. He was going to put a stop to Lydia’s reign of terror.

CHAPTER 10

JULIA

Acold shiver of terror gripped Julia’s heart, the acrid scent of smoke invading once more, as if the flames from her nightmare had leapt into reality. Heat burned her skin, and she struggled to slam the candelabra against the wall, but it failed to make a dent.

She beat against it, a scream escaping her but as the flames closed in around her, she realized she wouldn’t escape. She could never escape.

A scream escaped her lips as the fire surrounded her.

She awoke with a start, gasping with sweat beading on her brow. She swallowed hard, her eyes darting around the space. In the dim light of the room, reality gradually seeped in, rem dinging her she was safe within the walls of Harrington House, miles away from the fire that haunted her dreams.

She sucked in a breath as she oriented herself. Next to her Sierra still slept peacefully, but Kyle was nowhere to be found.Her heart hammered as her eyes darted around the room. Grant was nowhere to be found either.

Had something happened or were they merely up already?

Determined to check, she eased her arm out from under Sierra and slid off the bed. She tiptoed from the room and strode down the hall.

“Hey, you’re up,” Alicia said as she shuffled toward her door.

“Yeah,” Julia answered. “Did you get any sleep?”

“I did. How about you?”

“I actually fell asleep the minute I sat down, sandwiched between Kyle and Sierra.”

“Seriously? You didn’t even get to stretch out in bed?”

“It’s fine. I was perfectly happy where I was. Both of them were upset after what happened. We all needed each other.”

Alicia rubbed her sister’s arms. “I’m starting to see how important this family is to you.”

“They are, Ally. But you are, too.” She pulled her sister into a hug. “How are things going with Ethan?”

Alicia stepped back with a shrug. “I don’t know. Okay. Hey, he asked me something weird, and I wonder if you knew anything about it.”

Julia’s features scrunched, a sense of concern threading through her. “Something weird? What did he say?”

“He said Grant said we could use his cabin for a few days to reconnect. Is…that for real or is Grant going to have us murdered?”

Julia chuckled at the statement. “I’m certain it’s for real. And the cabin is very nice. It may be a good idea. You two could use the time away.”

Alicia stared at the floor, tugging her lips back on one side.

“You’re not going?”

“Julia, you almost died…again. That’s what? Three times in one week?”

“Alicia, I’m fine. And I want you to have some peace, too.”