Page 8 of Unveiled

Her emotional exhaustion was clear. “I’m not one to take charity, so Mark really did offer me the job of housekeeper to earn what I need and to pay them back for the place and, well, everything. If you allow me to fulfill that, I promise to get out of your hair, um, way, soon.”

Rush joined her on the couch. “Did you just take a shot at my hairstyle choice?” He dragged his hand across his shorn hair.

The richness of her laughter caught him completely off guard. Her hands raised in submission, but there was humor on her face. “Not at all. I’m just going to note that most men I know who opt for that look, it’s because they, well. . .” She trailed off with a sound of relief.

“I may have a few spots on my head not as full as others, but you’re not perfect either, I bet.” He spoke with humor instead of ire. “Anyway, my hair isn’t a topic we need to be concerned with. What I want to know now. . .is there the possibility of someone busting down that door with guns a-blazing looking for you?”

Rush hated the darkness and fear that crossed her face, but he needed something to go on. With a heavy sigh, she unexpectedly answered him. “It is possible because of proximity and personality. However, there isn’t anything that could connect me to you or Mark and Charlie.”

“So, no one saw them pick you up or saw you leave your location.”

Julia shook her head. “Nope. I turned the security cameras off and sent my assistant home. The driver hadn’t arrived yet, so I took the five-minute window and bolted. The road was empty. No other traffic passed me before Mark did.”

Well, hell.She’d just shared more than she realized. If Mark hadn’t done so already, Rush would pinpoint her location within a few miles’ radius. The mention of a driver meant she wasn’t already at her wedding venue. Security cameras and systems, plus assistant, meant he wasn’t exactly looking for a budget home. He needed to know exactly where Mark found her. He’d call him when he got a chance. Right now, she was relaxing a little, and that meant she was talking.

“Thanks for trusting me with that, Julia. I’m sure Mark already gave you the spiel, but it won’t hurt to repeat it. If it’s just the matter of an asshole doing asshole things, Mark and I can handle it. If it’s more, then we can let Cole Security officially handle it and you can get your life back. Or at least a new one that doesn’t involve cleaning my toilets.”

“Thanks,” she answered shyly. “Yes, Mark offered all that and more. It’s just. . .” Rush got it, boy, did he get it. Trust didn’t come easy for him, either. Neither did asking for help.

“Alright then.” Rush stood. “I have a few things I want to check out around the house. I need to make a list of projects and improvements, then get on ordering supplies.” Really, he wanted time to process what he’d learned, call Mark, then get on Google maps.

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