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“Look, I’ll give you the flash drive, but you give me Julia.”
“I don’t think so, Grant. I’m not that stupid.”
“Lydia, promise me you won’t hurt her. Please.”
“I’m not going to do anything to her as long as I get what I want.” She glanced at her watch. “Oh, shoot. I’m running late. Meet me on the roof with it. I’ve got to jet.”
“Why don’t you come with me downstairs and we’ll–”
“I said get the flash drive and meet me on the roof,” Lydia growled through clenched teeth. “This isn’t a negotiation unless you’d like me to do something drastic.”
“Okay, okay,” he said, holding up his hands in defeat. He flicked his gaze to Julia, concern etched into every line of his face. “I’ll get the flash drive.”
He stared at his frightened wife for another minute before he finally forced his feet to move from the room. He stepped into the hall, his chest tightened and his breathing shallow. He’d trade anything for Julia, but he worried Lydia may snap. She must have realized her leverage was gone and reacted. The question was could he save Julia before it was too late?
CHAPTER 24
JULIA
Julia licked her lips as she stared at the gun pointed at her. Her heart pounded out a desperate rhythm against her ribs while her mind stretched to search for a way out. “Lydia…”
“What, Julia? You were just so smug a second ago. What happened?”
Julia’s eyes rested on the gun pointing at her. “Okay. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let you hurt Sierra. But maybe I can still help you. I’ll…find a way to get that flash drive. Maybe not tonight but…”
“Not good enough,” Lydia shrieked at her. “I want it now.”
“Okay, okay, umm, I’m pretty certain I can convince Grant to let me hold on to it for him. And then I’ll bring it up here. No problem, okay? We can still work together.”
“Really?” Lydia asked, her head lolling to the side. “You expect me to believe that?”
Julia swallowed hard, lifting her chin a little. “Yes, because…it’s true. I…didn’t want Sierra hurt, but…”
Lydia arched an eyebrow.
Julia tried to force the words from her throat, hoping they sounded convincing. “I…see your point about Grant. And…the truth is…that’s why I have been…paying a little more attention to Kyle.”
Lydia’s features melted with amusement. “Really? You and Dr. Doolittle?”
Julia sucked in a breath. “You should know. You said you had pictures from our trip to the cabin.”
“I had a few shots of a tender moment in the living room. I don’t have cameras everywhere. Was there more?”
Julia pressed her lips together, her breathing shallow as she continued to lie. “There was.”
She held Lydia’s gaze, hoping to convince her.
“Do tell.”
“What?” Julia’s brow furrowed.
“Details, Julia. How far did it go? A few kisses? Cuddles? Whispered promises?” Her eye arched again. “All the way?”
“We slept together. I just…Grant isn’t who I thought he was and…I needed the comfort.”
“And Kyle was all too willing to provide it, wasn't he?”
Julia let her gaze fall to the floor. Her plan seemed to be working. If she could just convince Lydia that she’d moved on from Grant, she could get out of this. “He was, yes. And I can’t say that I’m unhappy about that. So, as you can see, I’m not as attached to Grant as you think I am. So, if you need something from me…” She flicked her gaze back up to Lydia. “I can help you.”
