Julian looked up and noticed the stricken expression on Jackson’s face.“What’s wrong?”
“Isla’s husband died early this morning.His attorney called to notify me.I thought you’d want to know.”
For a second, Julian was certain he’d heard him wrong.“Hedied?”
Jackson nodded.
Julian was on his feet and reaching for his suit coat before he’d made the decision to stand.
“What’re you doing?”
“I’m going to her.”
“Um, is that a good idea?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Jules… Her husband justdied.You might want to give her a minute before you go flying over there.”
Jackson was right.Of course he was.But every instinct Julian had was propelling him toward her, and his instincts rarely did him wrong.
“I need you to cover my day.”
“What?I’m not prepared for that.”
“Yes, you are.You’re up to speed on all my cases.I need this, Jack.Please.”
“What’s your plan when you get there?”
“That’ll depend on what she needs.”
“And you’re fully aware that you’re marching into something with this woman that could change your life forever when you said you’d never let that happen?”
Jackson’s words stopped him cold.
Was he prepared for his life to change forever?Only if it was changing to make room for her.Yeah, he was okay with that.“I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you?”
Julian put a hand on Jackson’s shoulder.“Thank you for caring, but I’ve got this.I need you to cover for me today.All right?”Julian, Carson and Griffin, all of whom were full partners, tried very hard never to pull rank on the younger brothers who worked for them, but Julian wouldn’t hesitate to play that card if it meant getting to Isla that much sooner.
“Yeah, boss, whatever you need.”
“Thank you.I appreciate it.”
“I hope you’re being careful here, Jules.I’ve never seen you act this way about a woman.”
Because there’d never been one like Isla.“I’m okay.I promise.I’ll check in later.”Without waiting for his brother to reply, he rushed out the door, stopping for a second to speak to Mattie.“I have something I have to do.Jackson is covering my day.”
Maddie raised her left brow, which was the only indication she gave that he was behaving wildly out of character.“Is everything all right?”
“Yes.I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
He felt her watching him as he moved toward the elevator, hoping no one would stop him before he could make his escape.All he could think about was Isla and what she must be dealing with.He wanted to help if he could and hoped he’d be welcome.
What if he wasn’t?
