Page 21 of Striker's Foul
“No, he didn’t. Show me the proof. You can’t. You don’t have any.” I can’t hide the bitterness in my voice.
“He’s a war hero who served his country well, even after being forced into it because of your lies,” Julian says. “Now get your piece-of-shit ass and shitty photographer out of here before I press charges against you.”
“On what grounds? I’m not breaking any laws here.”
“Yes, you are. You’re harassing Ms. Granville and me. And if I find out you had anything to do with Lia’s attack, I’ll make sure the book gets thrown at you.” Julian sits back down and lifts his coffee mug.
Harold stands there, huffing and looking around. Everyone is watching us. Julian’s phone beeps, and he looks down at it. I watch as his entire body goes rigid, every muscle pulled tight.
“Julian?” I ask him, a hitch in my voice.
“Let’s go, Lia.” He stands and pushes Harold back, then reaches a hand out to me. “I’ll be talking to you,” Julian growls at Harold as he ushers me toward the door. On our way out, he hands our server a fifty-dollar bill. “Keep the change,” he tells her.
“What’s going on?” I pause, but he continues to push me forward.
“Keys,” he orders, and I hand them to him.
He tosses them to one of his teammates. I haven’t met the guy, but I’ve seen him around the last few weeks.
“Find Jude. He’s with Koda. Ryan will know where they are.”
“Wait. Stop.” I dig in my heels and pull back. “Is my son in danger? What’s going on, Julian?”
He leans in and whispers, “Striker’s been shot. We need to go. Now.”
“What? No.” The tears start immediately, and I rush to the passenger side of Julian’s SUV. He slides into the driver’s seat and dials a number. Ridley’s name flashes on the display.
“Commander, he’s in the ER. They won’t let me see him because Gambit is listed as his emergency contact. Gambit was notified as soon as it happened and is already on his way. Striker was barking orders as they loaded him into the ambulance. He wants to know where his family is and if they’re on lockdown. Something about his wife needs to be protected.”
I can’t hide my smile. If he’s calling me his wife, then he feels the same way I do. But now I might lose him…again, and this time it could be for good.
“I have Amelia. Rio is going to get Jude. Just a sec.”
I’m about to fall apart from worry. My body trembles, and my legs bounce. The first sob breaks free as Julian reaches across the seat and gently shakes my shoulder.
“Lia, I need you to focus for a moment. Does Jude still have a code word?”
“Yeah. Yes. Oh my God! Is Luke hurt bad?”
“From what I saw, it was just a couple grazes. But a surgeon at the hospital witnessed it and insisted he go in. We need a report because I have a feeling there’s something hinky going on,” Ridley answers, and I nod, not thinking about the fact she can’t see me.
“We’re almost there,” Julian says.
I zone out as they discuss the specifics. Then a single word catches my attention.
“Luke has a house?”
If he wasn’t in a relationship with anyone, why does he have a house? He told me he slept at the clubhouse. He said I was the only woman he’s ever slept with.
“He bought one recently as an investment,” Julian says to me.
We pull up to Eastport General Hospital. I open my door, not thinking about safety but only about Luke.
“Wait for me next time,” Julian barks.
“Hey, don’t let Striker hear you talk to his woman that way,” a deep voice says.
I turn to see Gambit walking toward us.
