Page 137 of Fish out of Water
Michael stood just outside the door. He tipped his head at Julia. “Enjoy your afternoon, Ms. Murray.”
“Thank you, Michael.” She managed another small smile.
I took Julia out the back door where my car was already pulled under the awning, engine idling, air blasting against the sweltering Florida heat. One of the men who accompanied us this morning opened Julia’s door.
She gave him another of her small smiles. “Thank you.”
I offered him a nod of appreciation before going to the driver’s side and climbing in.
We drove in silence. Mostly because I wasn’t sure what in the hell to say to her.
Sorry I got you kidnapped?
Sorry I almost got you killed?
Sorry my grandmother now thinks you’re hers?
It would figure I’d finally get over my own shit only to fall in a pile of my family’s.
I didn’t ask Julia where she wanted to go. Mostly because I was worried her answer wouldn’t be what I was hoping for.
Plus I didn’t want her to be alone right now. Not because she was in any danger. That was over.
I was the one in danger now.
At risk of losing something I just found.
Something I already knew I could never replace.
I pulled into my garage and got out. Julia seemed startled when I opened her door. Like she’d been somewhere else the whole drive.
Probably somewhere I hadn’t just shot a man between the eyes.
“You ready to go inside?”
She nodded.
I opened the door to the house, letting her go in ahead of me. “Are you hungry?”
Her eyes went around the kitchen. “I’m not sure.” She looked down at the dusty shirt and shorts she wore. “I think I want a shower.”
“Anything you want.” It wasn’t an exaggeration. Right now I’d give her anything.
Whatever would fix this.
Julia disappeared, heading down the hall to where her clothes were now put away in my room.
I paced the kitchen.
Was this how my father felt when he met my mother and had to explain what being with him would mean?
What I wouldn’t give for his advice right now.
I stopped pacing, my eyes going to the basement door.
I pulled it open and immediately went down, the air cooling as I descended the steps into the space I built after I changed who I was. How I acted. How I dressed.
Not because of a woman. Not really.
