“I’m not going to be able to go with you to the class at the hospital,” Julian said after he got off a phone call with Sean. “I need to go to Singapore.”
Kiara frowned. “Has something happened?”
“Yes.” Julian sat back down on the couch.
He’d started the fire after they’d returned from dinner at the main house. Unfortunately, he’d received a call from Singapore just minutes later. “Sean called to let me know he’s concerned about a possible theft of research material for the FemPulse.”
Kiara’s brows rose. “Someone has stolen information from your company?”
“Yes. And Sean was concerned that they were bugging his electronics to monitor, so they’d know if he suspected anything. He actually bought a burner phone, then went to a hotel where he removed everything he wore and left it in the bathroom with the shower running so he could call me.”
“That is… crazy. He must be really worried.”
“He is,” Julian agreed. “But we need to deal with this as soon as possible. We can’t let it slide.”
“You’re not going by yourself, are you?” Kiara asked.
“No. I’ll have Anthony and Elijah with me, but I’ll also be taking a larger security force, including our cybersecurity team.”
Kiara's face creased with worry. "Is it safe for you to go there with something like this happening? It sounds like corporate espionage."
"That’s exactly what it is," Julian said, running a hand through his hair. "But we need to handle this quickly before more damage is done."
The warmth from the fire couldn't touch the chill that had settled in his chest. He'd been looking forward to attending the class with Kiara. It had felt like an important step—one that would show he was committed to being involved, even if he hadn’t planned to be in the delivery room.
"I understand," Kiara said softly, her hand moving to her belly in that protective gesture he'd noticed she often made. "How long will you be gone?"
"I'm not sure. A week at minimum, but it could be longer depending on what we find." Julian watched as disappointment flickered across her face. "I'm sorry about the class."
"It's okay. I understand that this is important."
Julian nodded, but the guilt still gnawed at him. After wanting to be there for her, to help her, he was already letting her down. "I'll make it up to you."
"You don't need to do that," Kiara said, shifting on the couch to face him more directly. "Your work is important."
"So is this," Julian insisted, gesturing toward her belly. He meant it too.
Kiara's expression softened. "When do you have to leave?"
"Soon. I’ll be taking the jet to New York to pick up the IT security team members, then we’ll fly to Singapore." Julian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Elijah has already agreed to go along with us, but I still need to speak with Duncan.”
Elijah had responded to his text almost immediately, stating he’d be happy to join him on the trip. Julian was glad he’d have his friend with him, especially with how uncertain the situation was.
Kiara nodded, a small smile touching her lips. "That's good. I'm glad you won't be alone."
"I hate leaving so soon after just getting back," Julian admitted. The fire crackled, sending up a shower of sparks. "It feels like I'm running out on you."
"You're not running out on me," Kiara said, her voice soft but firm. She reached out to rest her hand on his arm. "This is your job, and it's important. There are a lot of people depending on you, and from what you’ve told me, this research could be life-changing for people."
Julian covered her hand with his as he studied her face, searching for any sign that she was just saying what she thought he wanted to hear. But her expression seemed genuine, even if there was disappointment in her eyes.
"I'll keep in touch," he promised. "Daily updates."
"I'd like that."
A log shifted in the fireplace, sending up a shower of sparks. Julian kept his hand over hers as he watched the flames dance, his mind already racing through everything he needed to do before departure. Meet with Duncan, pack, brief the securityteam, review the data that Sean had sent him that had first roused his suspicions.
"I should probably start getting things ready," he said. “First, I need to meet with Duncan, then I need to get packed. My plan is to leave for Coeur d’Alene by three a.m.”
