Answers For Julie (Book Nine In the Bodyguards of L.A. County Series)

by Cate Beauman

  She wasn’t walking away as he’d accused. She was getting back to her life. If he couldn’t understand that, maybe they were better off hundreds of miles apart. Punching up her speed, she gave a decisive nod. Perhaps Chase didn’t understand her as well as they both thought he did. Her world had been turned upside down, and he’d been there for her. Now she needed him to support her again by realizing she needed to put her business back together before it completely fell apart. Bakersfield and her work were all she had. They’d been her constants when she’d had nothing else. She wasn’t about to turn her back on her only sure thing. “Forget you, Chase,” she said again with more determination, moving over another lane as signs for LAX started to appear.

  What she was doing was right. Moving forward made sense. And she had a lot to do. When she landed, she would take the day to get things back in order—wash her bedding and any other odds and ends, grocery shop, and clean the studio. Maybe after that she would give him a call and— She frowned, glancing in her rearview mirror when someone honked. Gasping, she cringed, bracing herself for a nasty impact as a car approached fast from behind. When the vehicle barely missed hers, she accelerated, making space for the bully to go around, but the navy blue BMW moved closer to her bumper.

  She punched the gas, moving over to the final right-hand lane. The car sped up directly to her left, until the dark tint of the passenger’s window was even with her driver’s side. Julie pressed on her brake, slowing on the damp roads, hoping the car would move on, but it decreased its speed as she did. “What are you doing?”

  Unsure of what to do, she jerked her rental toward the upcoming off ramp. The car followed, closing the distance between them, and rammed her back door, forcing her closer to the guardrail. She screamed, veering hard to the left, barely avoiding a collision with metal and a plummet to the busy road several hundred feet below.

  The vehicle sped off as she slammed on her brakes and sat where she was, closing her eyes and gasping in several breaths. She flinched and screamed again, her eyes flying open as a red Camaro honked as it swerved to miss hitting her.

  Trembling, she accelerated to the bottom of the off-ramp, knowing that if she didn’t move, she would cause an accident. She braked at the stoplight, her teeth chattering and her eyes darting around, on the lookout for the BMW. There was no way that was some random act of road rage. She could no longer claim that the instances in Massachusetts were a string of bad luck. Chase was right. Someone was trying to hurt her, and she still needed his help.

  Hesitating for only a moment, she picked up the phone and dialed his number, waiting through one ring, then two. “Please answer,” she whispered. “Please answer.” But after the third ring, she was sent to his voicemail.

  “This is Chase. Leave a message.”

  She hung up as the light turned green and made the split-second decision to get back on the interstate. Instead of heading south toward the airport, she merged left with the traffic, heading west, racing toward Ethan Cooke Security, on edge the entire way through the gargantuan city to her destination.

  Forty-five minutes later, she pulled into the parking garage and booked it into the full elevator, relaxing slightly in the crowd of people. She punched the button for the thirty-fourth floor, hoping to catch Chase before he left for the day. The door opened after the long ascent, and she walked down the hall into Ethan Cooke Security’s office.

  “Julie,” Mia said with a friendly smile, sitting behind her desk.

  Ethan’s secretary had a good memory. Chase had brought her by the office their first full day back in Los Angeles. She pasted on a smile. “Hi.”

  Mia’s smile dimmed as she stood. “You look a little pale. Are okay?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I’m fine.” She gripped her hand around her keys and cleared her throat. “Um, I was wondering—is Chase still here?”

  Mia shook her head. “He left about an hour ago. He’s on duty down in Anaheim today.”

  “Yeah. I just wasn’t sure if he’d left yet.”

  “I’m afraid so. He and his team won’t be back until sometime this evening.”

  “Yeah,” she said again, glancing toward the exit. Now what? She would never make her flight, and the idea of getting back in her car and driving to Chase’s house alone made her shudder. He more than likely wouldn’t want her there anyway. “Um—”

  “Mia, I need…” Ethan trailed off as he walked their way. “Julie.” He smiled.

  He was gorgeous. All of Chase’s co-workers were exceptional looking. “Hello.” She tried for another smile.

  “It’s nice to see you.”

  “Thank you. You too.”

  “Chase is out of town for the day.”

  She nodded, swiping her hair behind her ear. “Yes.”

  His brow furrowed. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes.” She looked down then met his eyes again. “Fine.”

  He held her gaze for several seconds. “Why don’t you come on back to my office for a couple of minutes.” He gestured with his head.

  She hesitated. “I don’t want to take up your time.”

  He glanced at his watch. “I have about thirty minutes until my next meeting.”

  A quick conversation would give her that much more time to figure out what she should do. “Okay.” She followed him to his large office decorated with dark wood; plush, black leather seating; and large, leafy green plants in huge pots scattered about.

  “Have a seat.”

  She sat across from him, ramrod straight, licking her lips as she gripped her hands together. “I’m sorry to bother you—”

  “You’re not bothering me.”

  She nodded. “I was on my way to the airport. I need to go back to Washington.”

  He steepled his fingers. “Chase mentioned you were heading home.”

  She suppressed a wince, wondering what Chase had told his friend. Chase had been mad…and hurt when he left her this morning. If Ethan knew they were having problems, it was impossible to tell. “I think—someone tried to run me off the road,” she said in a rush.

  He sat up. “You think someone tried to run you off the road?”

  She shook her head. “Someone did,” she clarified. “I was on the interstate. A navy blue BMW honked and rushed up behind me.” She shuddered out a quick breath with the memory. “I tried to move out of the way, but the car kept coming closer. I wasn’t sure what to do so I took the nearest exit and almost hit the guardrail when the car slammed into my back door.”

  He rubbed at the back of his neck. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes. The rental has some damage.” She gripped her hands tighter. “I guess I’m a little shaken up.”

  “Did you call the police?”

  She shook her head again. “I should have. I just wanted to get out of there and get here. Chase thought someone was trying to hurt me when we were staying in Newton.”

  “He mentioned that too.”

  She inched forward in her seat, struggling to stay still. “But no one knows I’m here.”

  “The media coverage has died down with the serial killer making headlines.”

  “My friends in Washington said most of the reporters have left Bakersfield.”

  Ethan sat back in his chair. “Chase is handling the Disney parade. Many of our clients are performing.”

  “I don’t want you to bother him. I know he’s busy.” She nibbled her lip. “I guess I didn’t know what to do. I’ve never been in a situation like this before.”

  “Coming here was the right thing.” Ethan tapped a pen against the desk. “I don’t want you going back to Washington.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  “I also don’t want you at Chase’s house by yourself.”

  “I could get a hotel room—”

  He shook his head. “I want eyes on you. How would you like to go to my house for the day?”

  The Cooke’s home was like a fortress—huge perimeter walls, gates, big dogs. “Only if I w
on’t be a bother.”

  “Hailey had to take Preston in for an appointment. Sarah has her hands full.”

  She looked at the pictures of Ethan’s beautiful wife and pretty children. “I would love to help her out.”

  “She’ll appreciate it. I know I do.”

  She relaxed her hands and sat back with the rush of relief. “Great.”

  “We’re going to get a police report filed, then I’ll have Tyson drive you over. I’ll talk to Chase later when he gets back.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We take care of our own.”

  She nodded, but she wasn’t sure she would consider herself one of theirs. She had no idea where she and Chase stood anymore.

  ~~~~

  Chase punched in the access code to Ethan and Sarah’s front door and let himself in their home. Bear and Reece ran to him, tails wagging, sniffing and licking his hand in greeting. “Hey, guys.” He gave both of the golden Mastiffs a firm rub. “Where’s everybody at?”

  As if they understood what he said, they led him through the living room and down the hall toward the playroom where he heard music and little girls’ laughter mixing with Julie’s. He steamed out a breath of regret as he moved closer. He’d thought of her all day, remembering the way her tear-strained voice pleaded with him not to walk away.

  Clenching his jaw, he shook his head. He should’ve stayed and found a way to work things out. Clearly Julie expected their relationship to fail, and she was hell bent on getting back to Washington and the life she’d created for herself—her one sure thing. OM Studio, Leila, Bryce and Mindy had never let her down. It was unfortunate he couldn’t say the same.

  Just this morning she’d needed him, and he wasn’t there. At some point she’d called after some fucker tried to mess with her, but he hadn’t known until a couple of hours ago when he stepped off Tatiana Livingston’s private plane. He’d had every intention of calling her back when he made it home, but Ethan got ahold of him first, asking him to head back to the office.

  Ethan filled him in on Julie’s terrifying situation while he scanned a copy of the police report. Shortly after, he rode the elevator down to the parking garage, studying the dent in the back left door where someone had slammed into her, trying to send her over the guardrail. He’d been half-sick ever since. DA Wesley needed to hurry the hell up and make Donnie Dorman a deal.

  “Downward dog,” Julie said. “Yes. Very good.” She gave a silly bark, and the girls laughed again.

  Chase peeked in the playroom at Julie and three little girls bent over in a yoga pose.

  “Okay. Let’s move into cobra pose. Do you remember what that one looks like?”

  Emma, Ethan’s youngest daughter, started hissing.

  Julie grinned. “That’s the right sound for our snake. Now let’s make sure we look like him.”

  “It’s a friendly snake,” added Kylee, Ethan and Sarah’s oldest.

  “Very friendly,” Julie assured with a wink.

  “I don’t like snakes,” Olivia, Jackson and Alexa’s little girl and Kylee’s best friend, said. “But this one’s fun.”

  Julie rested her weight on her arms and arched her back up, tipping her head. “Give me a hiss.” She hissed. “Hiss, my little cobras.”

  All of the girls started hissing and giggling, and Chase grinned, stepping in. “I had no idea when I walked in the Cooke house I was going to be surrounded by pretty snakes.”

  “Chase!” the girl’s said in unison.

  He watched Julie’s smile dim.

  “We’re doing yoga with Julie while Mommy feeds my new baby brother, Lucas,” Kylee said.

  “It’s called breastfeeding,” Olivia informed. “Mommy feeds Owen like that too—from her boobies.”

  “Huh.” Chase rubbed at his jaw, not sure what else to say.

  “Come do yoga with us,” Kylee invited.

  “I’m sure Chase doesn’t want to do yoga,” Julie said, standing.

  “I’ll do some yoga.” He took off his socks and shoes and rolled up his sleeves, holding Julie’s gaze the entire time.

  “Can we show him downward dog?” Olivia wanted to know.

  “Sure.” Julie moved into position.

  He took his place next to Julie, copying the ladies in the room while his tie dangled to the floor.

  “You’re doing it!” Kylee grinned. “Now let’s be cobras.”

  He followed everyone into the next pose, and a baby started crying in the pack and play. Chase frowned. “Who’s that?”

  Julie stood and walked to the portable crib, reaching in. “Faith.” She smiled at the baby as she lifted her.

  He got to his feet. “It’s a full house around here.”

  “Jenny’s at work until six thirty. One of the teenagers Reagan attends to at the clinic went into labor and wanted her there.”

  “Oh.” He smiled at Faith. “Hi, sweetheart.”

  Faith gave him a sleepy smile.

  He held out his hands. “I’ll take her.” He carefully took the baby and kissed her head. “I haven’t seen Ms. Faithy for a good month.”

  “Julie.” Olivia gave a gentle tug on Julie’s t-shirt. “I’m hungry.”

  Julie crouched down to eye-level as the kids surrounded her. “Are you ready for dinner?”

  “Yes,” the three said in unison.

  “I think the macaroni and cheese has a few more minutes left in the oven. Let’s go see.”

  The girls fought over who would hold Julie’s hand down the hall.

  “Someone could hold my hand.” Chase held his free one out.

  Emma grinned, grabbing Chase’s.

  “We’ll need to wash up and take our seats at the table.”

  Julie helped the girls scrub their hands at the sink and settle in their chairs at the table while Chase leaned against the counter, giving Faith her bottle, trying to catch Julie’s eye again.

  The timer buzzed, and she pulled dinner from the oven, putting small portions of cheesy macaroni and salad on each plate. “Okay. Here we go. Little bites,” she reminded them as she set their plastic princess dishes in front of them. “Do you want some?” she said to Chase, giving him her attention for the first time since he walked in.

  He shrugged. “I wouldn’t turn it down.”

  She dished him up a large serving, then gave herself much less and sat down as he did at the big table in the pretty kitchen. “Is it good?” she asked the kids.

  “It’s really yummy.” Kylee beamed.

  “Good.”

  Emma struggled to get a piece of her tomato on her fork, and Julie leaned forward, taking Emma’s hand in hers, helping her stab it.

  “There you go, honey.”

  “Tank you.” The pretty black-haired toddler smiled—Ethan’s smile.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Chase watched Julie smile at the girls, keeping an attentive eye on their three charges and knew this was exactly what he wanted, what he’d always wanted with Julie—cozy dinners, a family of their own. And he’d let it slip away. “I hate to think Bryce is right; that I never deserved you.”

  Julie paused with her fork at her lips as her gaze flew to his.

  “I’ve made a lot of mistakes,” he continued. “Ten years ago, I was wrapped up in myself—in the career I wanted. But I never stopped wanting you. Not ever. I always thought of you, Jules.”

  Swallowing, she held his stare and set down her fork.

  “When I came back all those years ago, I came back for you. I was going to ask you to marry me and bring you to Virginia with me.”

  Pain flashed in her eyes. “Why are you telling me this? I know I messed up with Bryce—”

  “I messed up.” He took her hand. “I should’ve fought for you. I never should’ve walked away.”

  She shook her head. “You didn’t have to fight for me.”

  “I know. I used to tell you I loved you, but I didn’t show you in a way that mattered.”

  “Yes, you did. I knew—”
<
br />   “I never said flat out that this is what I want.” He looked around at the kids as they continued eating. “Somewhere under my ambitions you might have known, but I’m spelling it out right now. I want this—kids, macaroni and cheese at a noisy dinner table, a home, and I want them with you. I always have.”

  Her lips trembled before she pressed them firm.

  “I love you, Jules. I love the hell out of you, and I don’t want you to leave. I want you to stay here with me, because I can’t stand the idea of letting you go.”

  “My business—”

  “If you can’t stay here, we’ll go to Washington, but I need you in my life every day, not on a weekend when we can pencil each other in. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you all of this a decade ago. I’m sorry I walked out today without letting you know.”

  She sniffled and stood, bending and wrapping her arms around him. “I love you too. I’m sorry I blindsided you and left the way I did—or tried to.” She eased back, looking into his eyes. “I don’t know if Ethan—”

  “He told me.” He gripped her chin gently between his fingers. “And we’re going to figure it out.”

  “Here. In California,” she said, giving him a kiss.

  “You don’t have to decide right now.”

  “I already have.” Smiling, she kissed him again.

  Kylee, Olivia, and Emma started giggling.

  He grinned. “Did you like that?”

  “Daddy kisses Mommy like that all the time,” Kylee said with an eye roll.

  “Mine too,” Olivia added with an eye roll of her own.

  “Mine too,” Emma chimed in, slapping a hand over her mouth as she grinned.

  Julie chuckled. “Maybe we should eat our dinner.” Julie held up a forkful of cheesy noodles to Chase’s mouth.

  He took an exaggerated bite.

  The girls laughed.

  He captured her chin again. “I definitely want this, Jules.”

  She nodded. “Me too.”

  Chapter Forty-five

  Julie typed up a list on Chase’s laptop as she lay in bed, cozy in her pajamas while he showered. There was a lot to do now that she and Chase had figured stuff out. She was moving to Los Angeles. Grinning, she pressed her hand to her jittery stomach, nervous as much as she was excited about the changes coming their way. Finally, she would live with the man she loved. Eventually they would marry and have babies—hopefully sooner rather than later, but there were eight hundred things to do before any of that could happen.