Page 23 of Taboo

“No problem. I take it there is something you need to talk to me about?”

“No. Why?”

“David alluded to it.”

She glanced around and realized that only her security had gotten on the car with her. David and Julienne were going to have a come to Jesus talk. That wanker had been getting into her business too much and letting Nicola know things he shouldn’t.

“Jules? Did I lose you?”

She knew she could pretend that the call dropped, but she probably should talk to her sister-in-law about this. She was the only woman Jules could go to about something like coming face-to-face with her one-night stand.

“Hold on.”

“Oh, goodie.”

“That bored at work?”

She sighed. “No. I’ve been ordered on quarters today. My blood pressure is a little high.”

Worry set in her gut. “Are you okay? Do I need to come home?”

“No. It’s your brother being a pain in my ass. Truth is, part of the reason for my high blood pressure is him.”

Once she stepped off on her floor, she walked down the corridor, handing her key card to Brent. She knew the drill. He opened the door and went about checking out her room.

“Do you want me to have a chat with him? I might be able to get him to let you go to work.”

“I’ll let you know. As of right now, I’m sitting in the home office with my feet up, and if someone brings me another cup of tea, I might shoot them.”

“Wow, how very American of you.”

She laughed and something loosened in Julienne’s chest. She knew that the doctor had told Nicola she was fine but being so far away from her had Julienne’s nerves on edge.

Brent nodded as he came out.

“Why don’t you guys take a break?”

They looked at each other, then at her. Good god, they were annoying.

“Sure, fine.” Jules stepped into her room. “I want you to know that I’ll help you raise my niece.”

“Niece?”

“God wouldn’t saddle me with another annoying man in my life.”

“What’s going on?”

“The security. Seriously, I understand if I was doing public appearances, but I really don’t need them.”

Nicola sighed. “I’m sorry. I will do my best to talk to Jensen about it.”

“Thanks. I mean, again, if I am out and about, I know I need them. Especially if the paps catch up with me.”

“They’ve noticed you aren’t around.”

Of course they had. The vultures. They hadn’t picked enough meat off her bones. “Let them try and guess. I plan on keeping a low profile, which is kind of hard to do with a security detail. I won’t be able to go out at all.”

“I thought you were going to keep a low profile.”

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