Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Why don’t you get some sleep? If it’s okay with you, I’ll stay out here for a while, just to make sure you don’t need me.” She looked hesitant, so I added, “I promise, no funny business. I know you’re seeing someone. And I’ll be gone before you wake up. I promise.”
She nodded and stood. “Thank you for being here, Wes.”
“Anytime, sweetheart.”
It looked like she was debating how to say goodbye, but eventually she waved. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
She walked to her bedroom door and looked back over her shoulder. “Wes?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m not dating anyone. The guy you saw me with didn’t even make it to first base when he drove me home the night of the early screening.”
I couldn’t help it—I smiled.
Juliette rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a grin at the corners of her mouth. “You were doing so well. Don’t ruin the evening by gloating.”
I smiled again. “Get some sleep.”
CHAPTER 33
* * *
Juliette
The next morning, disappointment settled in my chest when I walked into the living room and found no sign of Wes. It was probably for the best, but it didn’t make things any easier. The house felt empty without him.
I started the coffeemaker and leaned against the counter, waiting for the pot to finish brewing. I pulled out my phone to check for flights to New York, and just as the airline schedule loaded, it buzzed in my hand. Mom.
I steadied myself before answering. “Hi, Mom.”
“Your father’s lawyer thinks the judge is probably going to deny him bail.”
I sighed. “I’m not that surprised. He’s accused of a very serious crime. This isn’t breaking Vito Antonelli’s nose.”
“The hearing isn’t going to be until tomorrow. Dad’s attorneys want some time to talk to the prosecutor before they all go before the judge.”
“Okay. Have you talked to Dad yet?”
“I will this morning. His attorney is going to see him now, and he said he’ll call me after.”
“I’m going to fly home to New York tonight.”
“You don’t have to do that, sweetheart.”
“I want to. I looked up flights, and there’s one at three. It won’t get me into JFK until midnight with the time change, but I prefer that to the redeye.”
“Your father ordered more security for us. He’s concerned that one of his enemies might try to take advantage of the current situation.”
“That’s not necessary, Mom.”
“You know how your father is.”
I sighed. It didn’t really matter since I’d be in New York by the end of the day.
“How are you holding up?” Mom asked.
“Okay. At least as okay as I can feel with everything going on.”
“When we spoke yesterday, you mentioned Wes was there. I didn’t think you were seeing each other anymore?”
“We aren’t. But he was here for me.”
“You never did tell me what happened between the two of you.”
I hated to lie to my mom, but it was too risky to tell her Wes had been a cop. “We just… We had very different lives, and I didn’t think it was a good idea to get serious.”
“Your dad and I had very different lives, and look at us. We’ve been married for thirty years.”
“Umm, Mom… You’re in love with someone else, don’t even live in the house with Dad, and now he might go to prison for the rest of his life.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Which part?”
“Your father is not going to prison. He didn’t do the things the government is accusing him of.”
I honestly wasn’t sure if my mother was that naïve, or if she needed to believe that to get through this. Either way, we were on a line that could easily be tapped, so it wasn’t a conversation we should be having.
“I need to pack and book my flight,” I told her. “I’ll text you the info when I have it.”
“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll see you soon.”
A little while later, I had my flight booked and took out my suitcase. Before I started packing, I texted my travel information to my mom. She responded almost immediately.
Mom: I’ll pass it along to your extra security so they can travel with you.
I closed my eyes. Whatever. Some extra goon could sit a row or two away from me, and I’d just ignore him like always.
After a whirlwind of preparation, I was on my way to the airport with Tommy. He looked in the rearview mirror, catching my eye. “Your new security detail is meeting you at the terminal. Boss wants Eddie to stay out here and take care of a few things. I’ll park the car and meet you at the gate.”
I sighed. “Great.”
He smiled, and that was the last we spoke until we pulled up at the airport. Tommy turned back toward me as I got out. “I’ll see you in a bit, Ms. G. Hope you like your new security detail.”
“Trust me,” I mumbled as I gathered my things, sliding across the backseat to exit on the curb side. “I won’t.”