NovelEnglish
Chapter 0262
During a mental self–defense lesson, Julian tried to instruct me on the best way to evade answering
Terry’s invasive questions.
“He’ll goad you,” Julian said. “You just have to keep your head. If all else fails, just don’t say a word. He
can’t twist your words if you don’t give him any to twist.”
As the lesson went on, I started to notice something was off with Julian. He didn’t smile as much as he
had in the past. A line was often seen splitting his brow.
I stopped him near the end of the lesson. I couldn’t wait any more before asking, “Are you okay?”
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Blinked a few times. “What makes you ask?”
“You seem… different. Like something’s bothering you.”
He laughed a little, but it sounded nervous. “Can’t a guy have some nerves before a big operation? This
event could make our break our entire case against the underground organization.”
I shrugged. “It’s not like you to show your nerves. Usually you play it off.”
“Yeah, well, I guess there’s more to lose this time than usual.”
I tilted my head, confused. “What do you mean?”
He sighed. “Come on, Piper. Is it so hard to believe that I’m actually worried about you and Elva?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe words startled me. “You… are worried… about me?”
“And Elva,” he said.
It was hard to believe. I never bought into the idea Julian often pushed of himself, that he cared for no one but himself. But to hear him say he was actually worried for Elva and I… And to see it in the lines of his face, and the slight tremble of his voice…
I couldn’t help but be taken aback.
Thave something for you,” he said, and reached into the bag he had at his side. From it, he produced a
all velvet box, He handed it to me. “It might help us both.”
open the box. Inside was a beautiful golden necklace, a pendant on a chain. The pendant was
ce of a full moon
જમેાં
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1. ok. I raced my finger along the chain. It was cool
to the tow
“Beautiful and functional.” Julian leaned over, plucked the necklace out of the box then held it out for me. As it dangled, I saw that the moon was something like a button that could be pushed.
“It’s a GPS and a panic button. If you are in trouble, all you have to do is press the moon, and a message
with your location will be pinged to my phone. I can come rescue you, no matter where you are.”
“That’s wonderful.” Such a thoughtful and beautiful gift. “Thank you so much, Julian. Does Nicholas also
get the message?”
Julian, whose smile has been growing since giving me the gift, hesitated. His smile wavered. For a half- second, I could have sworn I saw a flash of hurt in his eyes. But between one blink and the next, it was
gone.
“Julian, I didn’t mean –”
“It’s fine, Piper. I can set it up so it goes to him too. The more the better, anyway. Increase those odds of
saving you.”
He was acting strangely now. Talking too fast.
He was almost acting… jealous. But that couldn’t be. Even if Julian worried about me, which he must have to give me such a gift, that did not mean that he wanted me romantically.
Yet…
“Thank you, Julian. I mean it.”
He nodded, and we continued on, both pretending everything was fine.
The afternoon of the event, I spent way too long in my closet trying to pick out my dress. I held up the dress that fit me like a circus tent. This was the only one Nicholas approved of. But… it was so bulky and
out of fashion, I couldn’t possibly wear it.
No, instead, I reached for the modest black gown with the high collar. I draped my new necklace around
my neck. The gold glistened against the black.
Dressed, I kissed Elva goodbye.
“Be good for your Nanny and Mark,” I told her.
21 will she promised, sing–song.
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We had decided for Elva’s sake that she shouldn’t go anywhere near Terry’s mansion. Mark had agreed
ay behind to guard her
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“Don’t worry about anything, Piper,” Mark said. “We’ll be secure here.”
“Thank you, Mark.”
I walked down to the driveway, where I met with the other candidates. A line of black sedans circled down the driveway. Each car stopped and a different candidate would enter.
When it was down to the last three of us, Nicholas exited the mansion.
He came down the stairs, likely to wait for his own car. When he saw me, he froze. Then, his brow
lowered and his lip curled up into a snarl.
I swallowed hard. He looked angry. Or horny.
Or both.
He stormed over to me before I could even think to move. He grabbed me by the arm, firmly but not
enough to hurt, and pulled me closer to the house, away from the others.
“What are you wearing?” he asked, voice low and growly. He dragged his gaze down my front. His eyes
stopped, staring openly at my breasts.
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