“We just got Angelica back, but now I feel like I’m losing Julian. I can’t let that happen.”
Jude nodded. “We’ll figure out how to help him. I promise.”
It was a promise Jude felt comfortable making because Julian was no longer just the son of Jude’s employer, he was the brother of the woman he loved. And Jude knew that Angela would want to help Julian.
“For now, we need to focus on this trip.”
“When are we leaving?” Jude asked.
“Tomorrow morning.”
Jude’s heart sank. For the first time ever in his job, he really didn’t want to go. He didn’t want to be apart from Angela, right when they were at the start of a relationship, but it was his job, so he had no choice but to go.
Duncan gave him details about the situation they were going into, and after a brief discussion, they’d come up with a plan for the security for the trip.
“Do you have any idea of how long we’ll be there?”
"A week, possibly longer depending on what we find." Duncan straightened in his chair. "You’ll need to arrange for additional security while we're away. Lucy can handle Kiara, but do you have someone to assign to Angelica?”
Jude had been considering a few people. One was a woman who was based out of New York. He had planned to see if she’daccept a transfer, but there wasn’t enough time before they left to get her to the estate.
“I’ll ask Dawn to keep an eye on Angela. I doubt she’ll want to leave the estate, but if she does, Dawn could go with her. If Annie needs Dawn, I’ll have Derek go with Angela.”
“Has there been anything more about Jim?”
Jude shook his head. “The last update was the one about Craig saying Jim had left the homestead. There’s been no further sightings by our guys. And the authorities haven’t had any leads on him either.”
“I don’t like that. Please impress upon Angelica and Annie the importance of staying on the estate.” Jude lifted his brows at the man, and when Duncan saw that, he chuckled. “Yes. Okay. I realize what I’m asking. But at least try.”
“I don’t have much time to do that, but I’ll try my best.”
“Thank you,” he said. “And I’m sorry I’m asking you to come with me right at this moment. I hope Angelica won’t be too upset.”
Jude hoped so too, but he supposed it was a good test of how she could handle the riskier parts of his job.
“How is everything going with the two of you?” Duncan asked.
“I thought you were going to stay out of it.”
Duncan laughed, the earlier weight of the situation with Julian and the business lifting. “I did, didn’t I? Still, I hope that the two of you can make this work.”
“That makes two of us,” Jude replied. “And to appease your curiosity, everything is going well, considering it’s very early days.”
“I suppose you probably want to talk to her about this,” Duncan said. “So go on. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“If anything changes with the security personnel, I’ll let you know,” Jude said as he got to his feet.
Once he stepped outside the office, he quickly headed to the library to see if it was empty. Finding the space free of people, he sent a quick text to Angela.
Can you come meet me in the library?
Angela:Of course. I’ll be right there.
Jude turned to look out the large window, staring at the outside world that was turning gray as twilight approached. He wasn’t sure what to say to Angela to make it easier for her to accept this sudden and potentially dangerous change of plans.
Jude knew he couldn’t sugarcoat anything. It was vital that she understand the risks of his job before they got any further into their relationship. If she wasn’t able to handle this, then it was better to find out now.
“Jude?”
