Page 9 of Betrayal of a Billionaire
“Really, Dad, I insist.”
“No, I insist.”
The luxury of the plane’s interior, with its polished wood finishes and plush seats, contrasted sharply with the tension among its passengers.
Sierra rolled her eyes. “Oh, stop it, and sit down. Daddy, sit by Julia. Kyle…sit wherever. Everyone needs to stop raining on my fabulous vacation.”
The two men shuffled around each other, both still tense as they settled into their seats. “Thank you, Kyle.”
“Anytime, Dad.”
Julia heaved a sigh as she watched the delicate dance of politeness as each man tried to outdo the other to comply with her request. Maybe the vacation would be more tense than she hoped.
She drummed her fingers on the soft leather of the couch as the plane sailed to its unknown destination.
As the wheels squealed on the runway at their destination, Julia fidgeted in her seat. With the shades down, they still had no idea where Sierra had flown them.
“Well, can we know now?” Julia asked as the engines began to spin down.
Sierra narrowed her eyes at Julia. “Stop being impatient, Julia. The police said they were sending a liaison to meet the plane. After that’s all squared away, I’ll do the big reveal. I don’t want any distractions.”
Julia shifted in her seat next to Grant. He smiled at her, squeezing her shoulder as Worthington opened the door, welcoming someone as they climbed the stairs. Footsteps approached, clanging on the metal stairs.
A blonde woman ducked inside the cabin as Worthington said, “Welcome aboard. Right this way.”
Julia shot a fleeting glance at the officer. Something was familiar about the way she moved, giving her a nagging sense of deja vu. Her heart pounded louder with every step, the air thickening with unspoken recognition until it hit her.
Her heart stopped, and heat washed over her. Her eyes went wide as she leapt to her feet. “Alicia?”
“Juju?” the woman questioned.
“Juju?” Sierra asked, jumping up.
“What?” Grant asked, rising to his feet.
“What are you doing here?” Alicia and Julia said at the same time.
Alicia offered her an incredulous glance, poking a finger at the badge on her belt. “I work here. What are you doing here?”
Julia’s mind went blank as she stared at her sister. “I don’t know.”
Alicia dropped her chin toward her chest. “You don’t know what you’re doing here?”
Julia slid her eyes closed as she pressed her hand to her forehead. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh my goodness!” Alicia shrieked. “Is that a wedding ring?”
“What?” Julia asked her eyes wide.
Alicia grabbed her sister’s hand and tugged it toward her. “This gigantic diamond and the gold band. Did you get married?”
Julia swallowed hard, the lies she’d spun for the past sixteen months crashing down around her. “Maybe a little.”
“How are you a little married? You’re either married or you’re not. Are you married?”
“Yes-ish,” she said with a shrug.
“Umm, would someone mind telling me what is happening here? You’re supposed to be escorting us to our house,” Sierra said.
