“There you are.” She wrapped Julia in a quick, tight hug before giving her a slow appraisal. “Look at you. Out in the wild again.”
“Yes, free from captivity. For tonight at least,” Julia murmured.
Cari’s gaze flicked to Leland, amused and far too knowing.
Dev appeared behind her.
“Good to see you,” he said warmly, one hand settling briefly on her shoulder before giving it a gentle squeeze. “And thanks for risking Hale’s blood pressure to come celebrate with us.”
“Happy Birthday, Master Dev,” Julia said with a hesitant smile. “I’m afraid I come empty-handed. Shopping isn’t on my current list of approved activities.”
“No gifts,” Cari said. “He insisted, unless it was a check made out to one of his pet charities. Leland was generous enough for you both,” she added, smiling warmly at the big man beside her.
“Thank you,” Dev told him. “The shelters can use every dime for repairs after this past hurricane season.”
Julia glanced up to see his reaction, but the only acknowledgement he gave was a subtle chin lift. Classic Leland.
“Help yourselves to the buffet,” Cari said, leaning into her husband’s side. “Emily catered, naturally. Her stuffed shrimp are Dev’s favorite. But you should hurry. They’re going fast.”
Dev looked toward the buffet line with concern. “I’ve been too busy greeting people to eat.” He grabbed Cari’s hand. “If you’ll excuse us.”
“Cari was being nice. Dev would trade one of his kidneys for Emily’s shrimp.”
Julia snorted. “Only one?”
“Depends on whether the stuffing is crab or lobster.” He glanced toward the bar then at her. “Want a drink, or do you feel like battling the birthday boy for whatever’s left?”
“A cool drink, please,” she said. “I’ve had Emily’s stuffed shrimp. I’d prefer to keep all my fingers.”
He chuckled softly, his guiding hand on her again. “Wise choice.”
The evening unfolded easily after that. Good food, plenty of drinks. Conversation and laughter flowed in familiar circles.
Slowly, without noticing when it happened, Julia relaxed and began to feel normal again. For the first time in weeks, she wasn’t thinking about surveillance cameras, accidentally setting off hair-trigger alarms, and whether someone might be watching her from the shadows.
Leland stayed close at first. Not hovering but always aware of where she was.
Gradually, he let some of that vigilance loosen. Because this was Devil’s Pointe. A trusted space where half of D&A’s payroll was on the guest list while the rest worked behind the scenes protecting everyone there. Tonight, her especially.
The Devlin men eventually gravitated toward the outdoor bar. Gaby seamlessly joined their group, as if she’d always been a part of it. The investigation had entered the evening. Julia could tell from their lowered voices and from the glances thrown her way, not all from Leland.
Cari reappeared by her side, her eyes suspiciously bright. “Come with me.”
Julia arched a brow. “I’m under orders not to leave the yard.”
“You won’t,” she said, slipping her arm through hers. “I noticed you didn’t get close during the unveiling. Now that people have stopped hovering, I want to show it off.”
They strolled arm in arm down the slope to the dock. Much quieter now, the earlier crowd thinned to a handful of lingering conversations.
Soft lighting traced the walkway, guiding more than illuminating.
Julia glanced back once.
Leland looked up at the same moment—like he’d felt it. His gaze swept past her, quick and assessing, taking in the dock and the shadows beyond it. Whatever he saw must have satisfied him because he gave a small, approving nod before returning to the conversation.
“You have no idea how hard it was keeping this from Nick,” Cari said as their shoes rang out softly on the deck boards.
The new pergola stretched partially over the river like an upscale boathouse retreat. Cedar beams framed the overhead structure, while recessed lighting glowed along the polished wood floorboards and built-in benches layered with thick weatherproof cushions.
