The room is silent. I’m backed into a corner. How do I explain any of this without giving her away? And what would I say now? If I tried to explain her powers, not only would I betray her, but they would think I’m lying or crazy.
“You aren’t taking her anywhere,” I say.
“That’s not up to you. She has a warrant out for her arrest. A local man has come forward,” Will continues, “and pointed her out as the person who attacked him when he tried to help her at the Quickstop. She tried to burn his truck. He has severe burns from it. He’s pressing charges against her. If that wasn’t enough, combined with her past criminal activity, her next-door neighbor reported their garden was half-burned. Maybe she is a jealous pyromaniac?” Will leans on the desk in front of me, lowers his eyes to mine. “You’re a man of facts. Look at what’s in front of you and tell me she’s innocent. What else could possibly explain these crimes?”
He waits patiently. I see the triumph in the eyes that look so much like mine but in reality hide a monster. I know this look. I’m sent back in time.You did this to yourself, it says.
He knows. He knows it all. Of course he does. I’ve been so stupid. We’ve walked right into his trap and done everything as he thought we would. He knows and has been watching us for who knows how long. But why? Just to ruin my career? Is it really that important to him that I am made a laughingstock?
“Julia.” I whisper her name. I run a hand over my mouth. She’s eerily calm. She should get up and yell and scream. But then what? That would only confirm the picture he is painting of her.
This is her exact fear. Her past catching up with her. She stayed here for me and now they have made her a criminal.
Will speaks again. “You have a choice here. Admit that she’s been playing you. Keep your team and your contract while she is investigated for her crimes you were unaware of. Or confess to sabotage, which will cause you and your team to lose the contract. You will lose everything.”
He’s blatantly referring to Lincoln, but only Julia and I could know that.
I slump into the chair. My head falls into my hands. This isn’t happening. He can’t have done this. All these years … All these years of working so hard. This team that I love and trust or Julia. My heart is breaking. I actually feel it crumbling.
But there is no choice for me. I would rather have the team think I was a part of the sabotage than lose Julia. I never thought in a million years I would do anything to break their trust … but I don’t have a choice. Not really.
Julia and I will take Lincoln and run away from here. I struggle to make it work in my mind. Secure his future while keeping the woman I love. I have to find a way to make it work. Wherever she goes, I will go. Julia is as much a victim of Will as Lincoln and I are. She didn’t do any of this. Her hand reaches for mine under the table, hidden from sight. She sends a pulse of warmth.
I love her and we promised that we would figure things out together. We’re a team. No. We are family now.
But before I can speak, Julia finally breaks her silence. “It’s true,” she says, keeping her focus forward. “Everything is true. I’m a danger. I broke the equipment. Nathaniel didn’t know about any of it.”
* * *
Julia
“No,” Nathaniel gasps out next to me and it’s almost enough to break me. But I won’t let it. I won’t let Will take this from him. I will not let that monster take any more from his sons.
“I admit to it all. Take me to the police station. I will confess.”
I can’t look at Nathaniel and keep my gaze straight ahead. I won’t look at the team either. My focus is on Will, my anger holding me steady. I cannot break. I have to let this happen.
Nathaniel cannot lose his team, this contract, his company, or Lincoln. He has done everything for them. I refuse to be the reason he is destroyed.
“Julia, please.”
“Nathaniel. Stop. Just stop,” I snap. I still can’t let myself look at him. I go ice cold. I shut down.
After all, nothing William said was a lie. Exaggerated? Yes. Camo Shirt came after me, and obviously I would never smash the equipment. At least not on purpose. But what if …? Guilt sours my stomach. I was having an orgasm when the equipment was destroyed. What if I did it somehow? Is it possible? We are just now discovering my capabilities. Just another reason to isolate myself from those I care about. Everything William said is true. The garden. The fires. The hurt I’ve caused. I leave a path of destruction wherever I go.
“It’s all true,” I whisper.
This is what my grandparents understood even when I was too naive. The world isn’t made for people like me. Eventually, no matter how hard I try to fly under the radar, I would be exposed. Something would cause me to lose control. Somebody would get hurt. I will never be normal. I will never have my garden or a family that is safe. This is the end of the line for me.
But I’m not letting William win.
When we get to the police station I’m telling them everything about the abuse and why I was really in the lab. I willshowthem the truth about myself if I have to. I will not stop fighting until somebody listens. Even as I think it, I wonder just how far William’s control reaches. Does he have the local police in his pocket too? If so, I will go higher. I will not stop.
“Ken will stay behind to discuss what comes next,” William announces as he stands. “I’m sure when the police report is filed, insurance will cover the equipment. Since now we know the truth, you can continue your work.” He comes to rest his hand on my shoulder. I fight back the need to send a bolt of heat into him.
“I’ll take her down to the station.”
Nathaniel stands and pulls me toward himself and away from his father. “Julia.” He lowers his head until I meet his gaze. My stomach tightens with pain. I love him so much. This hurts so much. But I cannot let him lose any more for me. There is nothing to be done. At least not here with William watching us.
