“That wasn’t presented as an option.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Leland insisting he’s the one in control of your safety isn’t a strategy, Jules. That’s a frustrated protector who’s in deep.”
She looked toward the closed bedroom door. Could she be right?
“I’ll do some checking and let you know what I find,” Cari said.
“Oh, but—”
Too late for protests. The call had ended.
Julia stood there, phone still in her hand. The house was quiet except for the muffled sound of the shower running. Leland. Close enough to touch, impossible to reach.
Heat curled in her stomach despite everything weighing on her. All that muscle and inked skin slick with soap. She could join him.
Would he turn her away?
It wasn’t her nature to be the aggressor. If this case dragged on, she might find out. Because living in his space, sleeping in his shirt, and in his bed, was wearing her down. And she wasn’t sure how long she could keep pretending she didn’t still want him.
Chapter 23
Days didn’t pass so much as repeat. Same walls, same silence, same restlessness that wouldn’t burn off. Julia noticed it because Leland didn’t seem to. He had work. A purpose. She had hours to fill and thoughts she didn’t want.
He worked constantly, laptop open, headset on, voice low as he coordinated with Callan, Alec, whoever needed him. Making calls, following up on leads, digging through online footprints with relentless focus. Even from home, he was still useful and an integral part of the D&A team.
Julia watched him more than she should have, the way he leaned in when something mattered, how his tone sharpened then smoothed, and the quiet authority he had about him. Her attention kept snagging on him, and it grated on her nerves.
By the third day, she was climbing the walls. The rain came that afternoon, hard and fast, rattling against the windows.
Leland was at the table, deep in discussion with Callan, completely locked in.
Julia stood there for a moment. Invisible. She turned and stepped out onto the lanai. It was a concession she’d fought for. If she couldn’t walk on the beach, she could at least breathe in the salt air. The backyard was contained, wired with cameras and alarms. He had her in his sights. What harm was there?
The air was warm, heavy with rain that pounded loudly against the tempered glass ceiling, but she was outside, sort of, and didn’t care. She flopped onto a teakwood chaise and stared out at the driving rain. Restless. Useless.
Finally, desperately, she pulled out her phone and called Emily.
“There has to be a way I can help from here.”
“Hi, Jules. Good to hear from you too.”
“Sorry. But I can feel my IQ decreasing from sheer monotony.”
“Is it really that bad?”
“Yes!”
“Okay, okay. Do you have a laptop?”
“No.”
“What about an iPad?”
“No. I have my phone. That’s it.”
“Let me talk to Alec about getting you a device. In the meantime, you can help me with vendor confirmations. You know how that’s chasing your tail, sometimes.”
“I don’t care. I’ll take anything.”
