Chapter 33

Juliet sat in the hospital chair while the nurse checked Philip’s vitals and Pops and Rafe talked outside. She’d changed into a white eyelet sundress and sandals but now wished she’d brought her sweater. The AC was on full blast. As she waited, she checked her notes on her phone, trying to ignore the fact that she was freezing. She’d left Garza to handle the crime scene and Samantha to close the shop. Bob was overseeing the square, and Juliet had rescheduled the wedding consult.

She had almost everything under control. But she kept replaying her earlier argument with Rafe—the one about their non-relationship. She’d spoken out of fear and confusion, and he probably had too. She reminded herself that her feelings didn’t matter. The only important thing was Balthasar’s message.

Balthasar had bitten his thumb at Rafe, and Rafe had taken the bait. He’d reacted swiftly, giving orders and expecting everyone to meet back at Calum’s for dinner.

When the nurse left, she stood near Philip’s bed. “How’re you feeling?”

Philip grimaced. “Who knew twenty-two stitches in the abdomen would hurt so much?”

“I’m so relieved.” She smiled at the half-eaten applesauce cups on his bedside table. “Don’t get used to living in Calum’s mansion.”

Philip started to smile, and then stopped. “Are you and Rafe still working together?”

“Yes.”

Philip smoothed his blanket. “Were you afraid last night? You hate the dark.”

“Actually…” She poured water from his pitcher and handed him the cup. “I spent the night in the apartment where Rafe is staying. He was worried about looting.”

“I see.” Philip took a sip before saying, “I’ll be released soon. Pops is itching to get back to the Isle. He doesn’t like being in town.”

She nodded. Her daddy had hated coming to town as well.

“What about Carina?” Philip put the cup down, pressed his hand against his bandaged side, and winced. “Has she paid yet?”

“Nope.”

“Juliet.” He shifted his pillow and lowered his voice from a request to a plea. “Stay in town today. Irritate Carina’s campaign manager until he pays you. Work on your renditions—”

“I can’t.” She moved to the window. The view overlooked a busy street.

“I’ve seen the way Rafe stares at you. And I’m wondering if you’re not looking back at him the same way. Don’t let him pull you into his world.”

A nurse came in. “Bandage check.”

Grateful for the interruption, Juliet found her purse and said, “I’ll call you later.” After shutting the door, she leaned against it. What am I going to do about Rafe?

“I don’t care.” Carina’s voice across the hall sounded shrill. If she was awake and giving orders, she could handle a conversation about her unpaid bill.

Juliet drew up her shoulders and knocked on the open door.

“What is it?” Carina sat in her bed. The room’s blinds were closed, and the only light filtered in from the hallway. She wore a blue silk Chinese robe with gold embroidery. Her long blond hair was braided and thrown over one shoulder. Her campaign manager Henry sat nearby on a hospital chair with a laptop on his thighs.

Henry stood when he saw Juliet, placing the laptop on the rolling table. “I’m going for coffee. Would you like some, Miss Capel?”

“No, thank you.”

Once he left, Carina frowned. “What do you want?”

My money. Instead, she started with, “I checked on Philip. He’s being released this afternoon.”

“He’s lucky. Because of this stupid concussion, I can’t leave for another day. I can’t read, work on the computer, or be around light. How am I supposed to do my job?”

Seriously? Carina had a staff most CEOs would envy. “How are you feeling?”

“Horrible.”

“Sorry to hear it.”

“No, you’re not.” Carina waved her hand. “You just want my money.”

“I want you to pay your bill. That’s the expectation when someone’s signed a contract.”

“I didn’t sign it. Eugene did.”

“You approved the continuation of the project after his death. And when this is done, I’m never again entering into a working agreement with you.”

Carina sat up and adjusted her robe. “Aren’t you salty today.”

“Just tired.”

“You do look like hell.” Carina’s eyes narrowed, her eyelashes fluttering. “Tell me. Did the reunion with your ex go well last night?”

Juliet should’ve known better than to engage. “Have Henry text me.”

“Were you and Rafe screwing last night?” Carina tilted her head. “You have that certain glow.”

Juliet fisted her hands at her side. “None of your business.”

Carina crossed her arms. “Lies never protect people. They only cause more pain.”

“A politician lecturing about the truth. Is this a full moon thing?”

Carina shrugged. “Honesty is easier for everyone involved.”

Juliet was halfway through the doorway when Carina said, “I loved my husband.”

Juliet glanced back.

“With all my heart. But since I took over his Senate seat after his death, people assume I married him for political gain.”

“I thought you married him for money.”

Carina quirked an eyebrow. “He was a Wilkins. His fortune was half of mine.”

“Is there a point?”

“A night of hard-core banging, and you’re running for Miss Sarcastic.” Carina straightened her blankets. “Eugene wasn’t the only man I’ve loved. He wasn’t the first.”

Good grief. “TMI, Carina.”

“Sometimes a first love is so powerful it eclipses all thought and reason. It draws you in even though you know it’s dangerous. I also know second loves can be just as powerful. That’s when you realize the light from the first wasn’t fireworks, it was immolation.”

“It’s not like that with Rafe.” Juliet hadn’t gotten burned. She’d just died inside.

“Then run to your lover. Let him leave your heart in bits by the side of the road for the rest of us to pick up. Just like last time.”

Juliet gripped the door handle. “I never asked for your help.”

“No. You never do. But you expected Calum’s. And Philip’s.”

“That’s not true. Neither Calum nor Philip were around when I returned.”

Carina stared at the window with the closed blinds. “Do you know what happened when I lobbied for Rafe’s release?”

“That’s obvious.”

“They said no.” Carina smiled as if waiting for that info to sink in. “I went to the DoD, the Justice Department, and anybody else I thought could help me. And they laughed in my face. As a widow in her deceased husband’s Senate seat, I didn’t have enough clout to get a parking space for my secretary, much less release an infamous traitor.”

Juliet came back into the room and held onto the end of the bed. “If you and Calum didn’t get Rafe released, who did?”

“No idea.”

“Does Calum know?”

“No. He believes I saved his best friend, and I want it to stay that way.” Carina blew a stray hair out of her eyes. “I don’t want him to worry.”

Was Carina daring her to keep the secret? It was obviously a setup for some payoff only Carina knew about. If Juliet played along, she’d solve one of her biggest problems. But how many others would she cause?

How could she demand honesty from Rafe if she was about to lie to him?

“It’s not like you can trust Rafe anyway.” Carina waved a hand. “I heard he has more than a hundred names on his arm. Do you think that’s true?”

Bitch be damned. “I want the money in the payroll account by three p.m.”

Carina’s almond-shaped eyes flattened. The only thing she didn’t do was lick cream off her lips. “I pay my bill, and you lie to Calum and Rafe.”

Juliet would save her business. Then find the vial. And when this was all over, she’d deal with the fallout. “Whoever signed Rafe’s release doesn’t matter.”

Carina laughed. “When Rafe leaves again, you’re going to have bigger problems.”

“Goodbye, Carina.” Juliet shut the door and headed toward the raised male voices that could only belong to Pops and Rafe. Her phone rang, and she stopped. “Hello, John.”

“Juliet, your deeds are ready for your ex-husband to sign. I’ll text you my secretary’s number. Remember, he’ll need a witness that’s not you.”

“He’ll bring Calum.”

“Any luck finding the grants?”

“No.” Juliet moved as a man pushed a gurney by. “I’m still looking. And the police investigations?”

“Sheriff Boudreaux said Tuesday’s tragedy shouldn’t hold up the sale. And the FBI dropped the investigation into Senator Wilkins’s death. If you can find those grants with the stipulations in order and get Rafe to sign the deeds, the sale should go quickly.”

“Thank you.” Juliet hung up. Two problems almost solved. But at what cost?

She found Pops and Rafe in a waiting room.

“I’m tellin’ you.” Pops stood with his hands on his hips. “Stay away from the Marigny boys. There’s bad blood there. Always has been. Always will be.”

“Eddie was trespassing. I—”

Pops held up one hand in front of Rafe’s face. “Your rights end here, boy.”

She tried not to smile. Although Pops had to look up at his son, Rafe yielded by running a hand over his head. “Yes, sir.”

“Good.” Pops shoved his hands in the front pocket of his clean overalls. “I’m taking your brother to Calum’s. Once he’s settled, I’m going home.”

Juliet took the soda out of Rafe’s hand. The ginger ale tasted sweet and cold. “Pops, Calum said you’re welcome to stay.”

Rafe kissed her on the cheek, and his hand found her lower back.

“Too many people there up in my business.” Pops’s nostrils flared, and he headed for the door.

Rafe finished the soda and tossed the can into the trash. “Ready to meet Sarah?”

Juliet placed her hands on his chest. He’d changed into a short-sleeved black T-shirt with his jacket. She had not asked him to hide his arms, but he’d insisted. “Earlier, when we were talking about relationships—”

“It’s okay, sweetheart.” One hand cupped her cheek, and the other rested on her waist. He pulled her in until their hips met. She gasped from his heat, and he smiled. “I’m confused and overwhelmed too.”

She traced the ribbon on his wrist near her face. The intensity in his gaze made her world unsteady, like any minute they’d fall down a rabbit hole. “You’re never afraid.”

His chest rumbled. “Not true. I’m afraid every hour of every day.”

She closed her hand around his wrist, covering the blue satin. “You’re the strongest man I know. What could you be afraid of?”

“Losing you.” His lips traced hers. “I want to say goodbye to Philip.”

After telling him about John’s call, she stood on her toes, needing to be closer to him. “I got a text from Bob. When you’re done, I need to check the Liberty Square work site before heading to the Isle.”

Rafe kissed her hard then disappeared, leaving her trembling and alone.