“Good to know,” she said with a nod. “Well, uh, at the risk of regretting this…I’d like to give it a try. I don’t know where I’m going to go from here, but…I’m not ready to leave yet.”
Grant’s smile broadened, and he rose, extending his hand. “Well, that’s excellent. Let me get a contract drawn, and we can discuss specifics whenever you’re ready.”
“Okay, uh, and if you could recommend a realtor, I’ll be in the market for an apartment.”
He shook his head. “No, you’ll live here. It’s important that my security team be on-site. You’re welcome to stay in the main house, but there is a gatehouse if you’d prefer.”
“Are you sure? We’re not the best of friends. So, even with the separate quarters, you may regret that.”
“I won’t regret how happy Julia will be with you this close.”
Alicia sucked in a deep breath. “I’ll give it some thought. And we can talk whenever you’d like.”
“Great,” Grant said with a smile as another knock sounded at the door.
“Got a minute, Daddy?” Sierra asked as she poked her head inside.
Alicia rose from her seat. “I’ll leave you to it. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Sierra eyed her as she went. “What’s she talking to you about?”
“You’re looking at the new head of our personal security team.”
Sierra’s eyes went wide. “Julia’s bitchy sister?”
Grant nodded and polished off his bourbon.
“Whoa. She may actually be good at that job. She doesn’t take crap from anyone.”
“She doesn’t. Julia loves her, and may actually listen to her.”
“Smart thinking, Daddy,” Sierra said as she leaned against the desk.
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “How are you doing now that the dust has settled, baby?”
“Better than I ever have been in my life,” she said.
He flicked his eyebrows up. “Really?”
She nodded. “I’m happy, Daddy. Even after everything, we finally feel like a family.”
“Hey, come on. It wasn’t that bad when it was just the two of us.”
She squeezed his hand. “No, it wasn’t. But we were missing a piece of the puzzle. And now we’re complete.”
“Yes, we are,” he said with a smile as his eyes flicked to the wedding photo. “Yes, we are.”
The image that had marked the start of their relationship and, for two years, had reminded him of the uncertainty of hislife, now promised a fresh start and a new life. A life filled with happiness.
CHAPTER 26
JULIA
Julia left Grant’s office behind, a mix of excitement and exhaustion coursing through her. It had been a long two years, but finally, they had managed to put the entire mess with DG Industries behind them. Lydia would no longer be a threat looming over them at every turn.
She mounted the stairs, her thoughts turning to her family. They had come together, finally finding some acceptance for each other.
She hoped in the weeks and months to come, their bond would grow even stronger. As she threaded her way through the halls, the smile on her features faded.
