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“Why?”
“I’m here right now. I came by to see you this morning and to see how the cubs are doing. I caught Leanne pouring liquid Benadryl into their formula. She’s been drugging them so they’d sleep longer.”
“What?” Wilhelm shot to his feet.
“I called the police and they’re on their way. I need you to be here when they come.”
“I—I’ll be there as fast as I can. Please convince them to wait for me.”
“Nobody’s leaving until you say so.” The growl low in Juliette’s voice raised Wilhelm’s hackles. He’d never heard her so furious or so determined.
“I’m on my way, Juliette.”
“Hurry, please.” The connection ended.
Wilhelm swore. First the detective had a funny feeling about his brother’s accident, and now Juliette caught the twins’ nanny trying to—
No. This all had to be some sort of nightmare, a bad joke. He rushed from the office, shouting instructions at Gunther as he passed.
*
Wilhelm saw three police cruisers lining the mansion’s driveway, blocking in Juliette’s white Toyota as soon as he rounded the curb. She must have been watching for him, because she flew out the door as he stepped from the car.
“Thank God you’re here,” Juliette said as she rushed toward him.
Her beautiful face was paler than normal, her eyes darker. He could smell lingering musk around her, as if she’d just shifted. Weretigers left a signature primal scent only noticeable to other shifters if they had transformed recently. The scent on Juliette almost drove him to shift too, his own tiger eager to respond to Juliette’s tigress. Especially when Juliette broadcasted a strong signal of distress.
She’s overwrought, he thought. “Are you all right, Juliette?”
“I’m fine. Leah and Thomas are fine too,” she said. “Uhm, Wilhelm, I might need a lawyer.”
That got his attention. “What did you do?”
“Leanne accused me of battery.”
“Oh? Did you ‘batter’ her?” Wilhelm couldn’t help let out a tiny amused tinge to his voice.
“Only a little.” Juliette held up her thumb and forefinger. “I lost it when she confessed she and her mom used antihistamine on babies so they’d sleep longer. So, I bitch-slapped her a bit.”
“Did you injure her?”
“No, I don’t think so. Physically, I mean. Emotionally, I can’t say. She soiled herself. I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess. The other side of me isn’t pretty.”
“I beg to differ. Everything about you is beautiful.”
Her eyebrow arched a little.
“Don’t worry. If need be, I’ll defend you myself.”
“You? Are you a lawyer?” Juliette seemed surprise.
“I passed the bar exam but I’m not practicing. Let’s go see them.” Wilhelm gently tugged her elbow and escorted her to the mansion. The thought that she saved Thomas’ and Leah’s lives and that she could look so upset at what almost happened when the kids were nothing to her, moved him. She and Wilhel
m weren’t even what one would consider friends, since their interaction generally only consisted of him visiting Bonbon most mornings for a pastry and tea and another attempt at getting Juliette to go to dinner with him. He was only her landlord.
But in that moment, it didn’t matter to Wilhelm. As he reached her, he instinctively wrapped her in a tight hug. “Thank you. Thank you so much,” he whispered.
Her arms looped around him just as tightly, and Wilhelm realized he was accepting comfort as much as giving it. He’d almost lost the only family he had left, if not for this amazing woman.
