Why the fuck had he kept that damn vial?
Octavia’s ability to prove reasonable doubt was in jeopardy. Everything he’d been fighting for, the life he had with Mena, was slipping through his fingers. How the hell was he supposed to stop Priscilla Dumay from ruining his life?
What was even worse was how Mena would handle finding out about the vial. He couldn’t even talk to her to explain. Would she still believe in him? Or would she think like so many others? That he’d taken justice into his own hands and kill Dumay for all the bullshit she’d done.
Honestly, the thought had never been too far from Julian’s mind.
Only one thing stopped him.
Mena. Having her by his side meant he would never risk doing something that could separate them. He loved her too much to put their relationship in jeopardy, not even to punish Dumay.
Julian had to find a way to clear his name. Dumay’s sick and twisted plans for Mena flooded his mind. Who would protect Mena from that bitch if he was trapped in a fucking prison cell in Tiverton for the rest of his life?
Mena was brilliant, smart and courageous. But Dumay had her kidnapped not once, but twice. If Julian was out of the picture, Mena would be a target once again. Dumay had admitted her original plans for them after the kidnapping in Kenya. Taking away Mena’s livelihood and forcing her to be a surrogate was the worst thing that could happen to both of them. How the fuck could he stop that from happening now?
Julian would have to do the one thing he was never any good at—wait while others helped him out of this mess.
The sound of footsteps, mirroring his own, broke into his thoughts.
Someone was running behind him. Gaining ground. Julian increased his pace to gauge the reaction of whoever was behind him. The steps increased, keeping up with him as he made his way toward the eastern edge of the yard. Two armed guards looked past him at whoever was behind him. Their hands moved to grip the assault rifles draped across their chests.
“We don’t want any trouble out here,” one guard yelled as Julian passed by him.
A voice responded, “Won’t be no trouble, sir.”
Zak Webber.
Julian wasn’t making any promises about avoiding trouble with the asshole. After everything Zak had done to Mena, Julian wanted to rip his heart from his chest. But he had to stay cool.
Julian slowed to a stop, then turned to face Zak.
The misting rain covered Zak’s face as he shielded his eyes with one hand. He drew closer to Julian.
“Your days are numbered, hero,” Zak glared at Julian with unrestrained hatred.
Julian responded with a fist to Zak’s kidney and followed it with a knee to his stomach. Zak toppled over onto the ground, and Julian raised his hands in mock innocence toward the guards.
Zak coughed and writhed on the ground, stunned by the unexpected attack.
Lowering his face near Zak’s ears, Julian pretended to help him up, which appeased the guards who remained at their stations. “I let you survive the last time I stabbed a knife in your chest. Keep fucking with me and the next time, you won’t be so lucky.”
Julian patted Zak on the face, then turned and jogged away.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Michael raised his hands in mock innocence toward Mena. “I promise, I won’t try to seduce you. It’s been a long time since we had a night without bitterness, blame and regret. I want to extend it a little longer.”
Mena folded her arms over her chest and counted to ten in her head. Everything was going according to the plan that she, Omar, and Regina had outlined. Mena had maybe gone a little too far getting close to Michael over dinner, but she needed Michael to let his defenses down.
She’d endured his not-so-subtle attempts at affection and the repugnant trips down memory lane of their past, biting her tongue, telling herself not to mention all the times he’d lied and manipulated her.
“I suppose this is all a part of your plan to show me that I should give you another chance,” Mena said, leaning against the door of the luxury casita nestled near the jungle at the Blue Moon Resort. The high-end accommodations were in the most remote area of the resort grounds, giving the perfect cover for what she planned to do next.
“I think it may be working, just a little bit.” Michael flashed her that seductive, sly look that used to make her swoon. His hazel eyes intense with barely contained desire.
She didn’t think he would cross a line and try to force himself on her, at least not before she subdued him.
“Fine,” Mena said. “One drink only.”
