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“Then the truth will come out and you’ll be free to go. Until then, you’ll remain here.”
With that, Julian, Law, and I take our leave. We’re back in the foyer when Law speaks. “Do you think he’s working with Marcellus?”
“Even if he was, he wouldn’t be fool enough to admit it,” Julian says, sounding tired. “We have to proceed as though he is.”
“Then we have to move forward with our plans,” Julian states. “If he is the traitor, Marcellus likely knows that we’re coming for him.”
“You’re right. I don’t think that we can wait for the auction to bring him in. We need to go to his estate tonight,” Law adds, and Julian nods. “I’ll grab my things.” Law spins and heads off.
Julian continues walking and I’m practically running to keep up. “Julian, please slow down.”
He turns toward me and the look on his face has me pausing. Anger.
“You’ll stay here with Adèle.”
“But I want to go with you,” I say, moving toward him, but he steps back out of my reach.
“Julian.” It comes out pathetic and whiny, but I can’t help it. He’s blocking me out.
“After everything you’ve been through today, I don’t think it’s a good idea. We can’t have any distractions if we’re going after Marcellus.”
As much as I want to, I can’t argue there. I’m weak and I would just be in the way. He must see the defeat on my face, because his features relax.
“I’ll be back soon, Marina.” His hand traces a line down my face. “Then you’re going to tell me everything.”
“Julian... I—”
His hands come up, stopping me from continuing. “Not now, Marina. I need to be in the right headspace to deal with my brother.”
My head hangs low. “Be careful,” I croak out.
He leans in and places a kiss on my cheek. “Here,” he says, placing the key in the palm of my hand. “Keep this safe. I love you.” With that, he walks away.
Chapter Nineteen
I’ve washed my hair, shaved, applied makeup, removed the makeup, and showered once more before finally putting on my pajamas and crawling into bed. My nerves are out of control. Not knowing what’s transpiring with Marcellus is excruciating.
No matter how calm and collected Julian appeared, I know this mission will be dangerous. Marcellus has proven to be a wild card. The thought makes me want to throw up.
I’ve been staring at the ceiling for what feels like an hour when there’s a knock on my door. I sit up too quickly and the room spins. Shaking my head to rid the stars from my vision, I call out, “Come in.”
“It’s locked,” Addy calls from the other side.Maybe she has news.
My bare feet slap against the wood floor as I pad toward the door. When it’s fully open, I nearly gasp at the vision in front of me. Addy is a mess. Her typically impeccable appearance is marred by dark circles under her eyes and mascara caked to her cheek, signaling she’s been crying. Her hair is knotty, sticking up everywhere.
“Oh my God, what’s wrong?” I cry, fearing the worst.
“It’s not Julian. I haven’t heard anything,” she quickly forces out, and I relax slightly. No news is good news, but the current state of Adèle is a far cry fromeverything’s all right.
“Come in,” I say, standing aside and allowing her to pass.
“Marina.” She just gets my name out before bursting into tears, hiccups racking her body.
I pull her into my chest, hugging her tightly to me. “Shh. Addy, don’t cry.” My words are futile. If this isn’t about Julian, it must be about her father. She’s had her world crash down around her with his imprisonment. She indubitably loves him, if her reaction is any indication. “Come sit with me.” I steer her toward my bed, and she goes willingly. Her motions are robotic yet rickety.
I grab the throw blanket hanging over the chair in the corner and cover Addy when she’s seated. I plop down next to her, not sure what to say. Adèle and I had a shaky start considering her past with Julian. Now, because of me, her father is locked away in the basement of this place, disgraced and facing a trial that could find him a traitor. Traitors die.
“It’s not your fault, Marina.”
