“Julia.”
Nothing.
My stomach twists. I’ve seen fear before; I’m a goalie. Guys charge at me at full speed every night. But I’ve never seen fear like this.
She looks like she is waiting for the nightmares from her past to walk through the front door.
I slide my hand under her chin and gently lift her to meet my eyes.
“Jules. You're safe.”
Her breath stutters, but she finally meets my eyes. And that's when she breaks.
“They’re my father’s men.”
Every muscle in my body locks up, and I can hear Kai freeze mid-breath.
Julia’s voice trembles. “I didn’t expect them there. I didn't think they’d be watching… not tonight. Not when I was…” She chokes on her words as her hand begins to shake. “Not when I was with you.”
Fuck. I can feel the rage ignite in my chest.
“They’re always around Chicago,” she continues weakly. “But they don't usually… Interfere. They just report to him, watch to make sure I’m… behaving.”
Behaving.
Kai steps closer to her, “Did he hurt you?”
Silence
Her silence is the fucking answer.
I inhale sharply. “Julia… why didn't you tell us?”
Her eyes flashed up to me with exhaustion.
“With what time? At the bar?” She snaps at me, and then her eyes get big. “I’m sorry. It’s because I didn't want to drag anyone else into his world… my world… especially not you two.” She lets out another shaky breath. “You don’t understand. My father doesn’t just get mad… he destroys... Anyone who gets close to me becomes a target for him. And I’m trying to get away from him without starting a war.”
Kai curses under his breath and drags a hand down his face.
“Jules,” I say softly as I reach out for her hand, “you’re getting away from him. I promise. But you’re not doing it alone. Not anymore.”
Tears spill over her lashes, and I wipe them with the pad of my thumb.
“I don’t want him hurting either of you,” she whispers. “Your Careers.. Your lives.. He could ruin everything.”
“Let him fucking try,” Kai snaps.
Julia flinches, and instantly Kai softens, stepping closer to her and brushing a tear away with his thumb.
“Not at you, little dove. Never at you.”
Her shoulders shake harder, and I pull her gently into my chest. She collapses into me like she's been holding herself upright for years, and my arms wrap around her automatically. Kai presses against her back, bringing his hands up to rest protectively on her hips.
As she is sandwiched between us, she finally exhales deeply.
“We’ve got you,” I murmur against her hair. “You’re safe here with us.”
Kai’s voice comes from behind her in a low grumble, “No one touches what’s ours.”
