AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Marlowe gets up from the table and rinses his mug in the sink. “I would feel better if you remained here with your security detail through the weekend. Until Beaumont makes his next move and the rest of The Six are apprehended.”
Disappointment crosses Julia’s face. “Can I at least get some more clothes and begin the process of restoring order to my cottage? My landlord has a habit of showing up unannounced. If he sees the mess, he’s liable to evict me.”
Placing his mug in the dishwasher, Marlowe turns back to face us. “You’re free to go wherever you’d like, Julia. I just ask that you communicate with your security team.”
Julia visibly relaxes. “I can do that.”
“Okay, then. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to do your thing.” Marlowe heads for the door. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I know more.”
I wait for him to leave before pulling Julia close to me on the banquette. “Looks like you’re stuck with me for the weekend. We can spend two glorious days in bed together.” I try to kiss her, but she pushes me away. “Not until I get some clean clothes.”
I nuzzle her neck. “Fine. I’ll go with you. We’ll whip the cottage back into shape in no time. And since Conrad’s gone, we can christen your bed.”
Julia gestures at my phone on the table. “Speaking of my son, let’s call Ashton to check on the kids.”
“Good idea!” I say and call Ashton on speaker. When she answers, we can hear our kids squealing in the background. “What on earth is going on? Are you torturing the children?”
Ashton chuckles. “Sully’s playing pirate with them.”
Julia gives me a curious look. “How do you play pirate?”
“Don’t ask. Hang on a second. Let me get away from the commotion.” The squealing fades as Ashton goes into another room. “What’s going on? Beaumont’s arrest made national news, but they haven’t said a word about you and Julia.”
For the next few minutes, Julia and I recount last night’s events and pass on the updates Marlowe just shared.
“We’re waiting to hear more about the other members of The Six,” I say.
Julia leans closer to the phone. “Marlowe wants us to keep the security detail through the weekend. I don’t want to impose, but are you okay with keeping the kids in Charleston until Sunday?”
“No imposition at all,” Ashton says in a cheerful voice that sets Julia at ease. “Those three are having so much fun, they’d be crushed if I told them we had to cut our trip short.”
“Thank you so much, Ashton. I feel better knowing Conrad is safe with you.”
“You’re more than welcome, Julia. You two have fun. And don’t worry about a thing.”
“Bye, sis,” I say, and end the call.
I’m scrolling through emails on my phone when Julia gets up to turn on the television. “I’m curious about what they’re saying on the news.”
Ellie’s face fills the screen. “I always knew Will Darby was innocent. As much as he loved his wife, he would never have cheated on her.”
Julia stares dumbfounded at the screen. “Can you believe her? What a two-faced liar.”
I burst out laughing. “She’s an opportunist. I’m just glad she’s out of our lives for good.”
Julia powers off the television. “That’s enough news for one day. Let’s get dressed and go to my cottage.”
FORTY-ONE
JULIA
We spend much of the day at the cottage. After giving all the rooms a thorough cleaning, we take a long walk on the beach, eat a picnic lunch on the porch, and have crazy sex in my bed. My love for this man continues to grow, surpassing anything I’ve ever imagined one person could feel about another.
When we return to Marsh Point around four o’clock, Ethan Striker is waiting for us on the front stoop. I fully expect Will to lose his temper.
“I’ll have the security team deal with him.” Will rolls down the window and motions for the patrol car behind us to pull up alongside us. “Do you mind getting rid of that reporter?” he says to Officer Johnson in the passenger seat. “We’re not in the mood for company.”
Officer Johnson salutes him. “Yes, sir. I’m on it.”
