Page 42 of Julian

“I actually need to speak to you,” Duncan said, keeping his gaze on Angie. “I wanted you to have Kiara and Jude here for support. And also, this impacts Kiara since she’s married to Julian now.”

“Okay,” Angela said. “So why do you need to speak to me?”

“Julian has been working with a therapist to get to the root of his drinking,” Duncan began. He looked down at his hands, which were clasped around one of Elizabeth’s. “He wanted me to come to the center so that he could tell me what has been causing him to drink so excessively.”

“And it has to do with me?” Angie asked.

Duncan looked up and nodded. “He told me that the day before you and Annalisa were kidnapped, he heard Sandra and Jim talking about taking you two. When Sandra realized he’d heard their plans, she promised to give him… to give him candy and a toy if he didn’t tell anyone. So he didn’t.”

Angie’s hand tightened on Kiara’s. “He knew what was going to happen?”

“I’m not sure he knew the details, but he knew enough that he should have told someone.”

Jude put his arm around Angie, and she shifted closer to him.

Kiara wasn’t sure how she felt about the revelation. Selfishly, she was glad it hadn’t worked out any other way, because if Angie hadn’t ended up with Sandra and Jim, they never would have met. And Kiara couldn’t imagine her life without Angie.

It would also have meant she wouldn’t have ended up pregnant, and she didn’t want to think about not ever knowing the baby she carried.

But for Angie’s sake, Kiara knew that it would have been for the best if she’d never been kidnapped. She would have had a much better life, and she would have met Jude sooner.

A heavy silence filled the room as Kiara’s thoughts turned to Julian. This revelation explained so much, and she wished she could see him and talk to him about the situation.

Feeling Angie move beside her, Kiara looked over to see her leaning against Jude’s chest. They were all waiting for her reaction.

“I want to see Julian,” she finally said, her words soft.

“What?” Duncan’s face creased with a frown.

“I would like to see Julian and speak with him.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“It’s what I want,” she said. “It’s what I need to do.”

Duncan stared at Angie, then sighed. “When do you want to go?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Jude?” Duncan turned his attention to his head of security.

“I’m ready to go whenever she is.”

If Duncan had hoped that Jude would protest, that wasn’t going to happen. It was proof that Jude would defer to what Angela wanted, especially when it concerned her specifically.

“Fine.” Duncan slapped his thighs and got to his feet. “I’ll have them prepare the helicopter.”

“I want Kiara to come with us, too,” Angie said.

Duncan glanced at her. “Do you wish to go with us?”

“Yes,” Kiara said without hesitation. She and Julian might not have a genuine marriage, but this affected the father of her child. She wanted to see him and see for herself that he was okay.

“Be ready to go within the hour,” Duncan said. “We’ll stay one night at a hotel near the rehab center. I’ll have my assistant make the arrangements.”

When Angie got to her feet, Kiara and Jude also stood. The three of them left the office together.

“Are you really okay going with us?” Angie asked as they walked down the hallway to the stairs.