Julian (Trinity Academy 4)

“They did a CT scan. There’s no serious brain injury. They said they would check on her routinely because of the concussion she sustained.”

Rhett glances at Jamie, and there’s a flash of pain on his face seeing the state she’s in. “What did they say about her neck?”

“There’s severe bruising, but no permanent damage has been done to her airway and vocal cords. She’ll be hoarse for a couple of days while it heals.”

Rhett nods, then locking eyes with me he asks, “How did the fucker get his hands on her?”

Just as I’m about to answer, Mason comes into the room with Carter, having picked him up from the airport.

Seeing the rage on Carter’s face, I square my shoulders and expecting the blow, I keep still as his fist connects with my jaw. The man packs quite the punch, and I move my jaw to ease the ache.

“You fucking left her alone?” he shouts.

“Carter.” Jamie tries to sit up and not wanting her moving, I quickly place a hand on her arm.

“It’s okay. Lie back.”

Carter takes a couple of deep breaths to reign in his temper, and it gives Jamie time to say, “Don’t blame Julian.” She swallows hard before continuing, “I shouldn’t have left the studio.”

Carter shakes his head hard and pushing past me, he leans over Jamie and engulfs her in his arms. “Don’t blame yourself.”

“I was so stupid,” she whimpers, her voice hardly recognizable.

“None of this is your fault,” Carter reassures her.

He’s right because the blame rests squarely on my shoulders.Chapter 28JamieThe past couple of days have been crazy, to say the least. My friends and family are trying to be strong for me, but I can see they’re buckling under the weight of the frustration and worry. It’s not just my life that’s been disrupted by this nightmarish hell.

Carter almost lost his mind, and it took a lot to get him to ease up. I’m worried what this will do to Della’s health with her being so close to her delivery date.

I let out a deep sigh.

So many worries. So much trauma.

How do I even begin to deal with it all?

A psychiatrist came to see me, but I declined his offer for counseling. I have a supportive family, and I’ll talk to Julian if I need to.

Sitting in the car as Julian drives us to The Rose Acre, I stare at nothing in particular.

Henry Little.

Such an ordinary name. An unassuming face.

I doubt my judge of character because never in a million years would I have suspected the janitor who always smiled, could be capable of such inhumaneness.

When Julian brings the car to a stop in front of the entrance, I climb out and glance at the vehicle stopping behind us and see Hayden and Max get out. While Hayden scans our surroundings, Max immediately walks to my side and placing his hand on my back, he murmurs, “I’m always two steps behind you. Let’s go inside.”

Glancing at Julian, I see the guilt eating away at him. Reaching for his hand, I intertwine our fingers, then we walk inside the luxurious hotel.

I’ll be staying with Julian until I’ve made a full recovery. After that, I have no idea what I’ll do.

Walking into the suite, Hayden and Max first check every room.

“I had the hotel swap the bed in the other room for two queens,” Julian says.

Glancing around the penthouse suite, I’m relieved to see it’s big, so at least there’s enough space for the four of us while we’re here. The first time I was here, I didn’t pay much attention to my surroundings, and now all the luxury means nothing.

My world has been dulled, the beauty stolen from it.

Julian takes my bag to his room and giving Hayden and Max a small smile, I follow after him.

I close the bedroom door behind us and wait for Julian to place my bag next to the bed. He first looks at me before he closes the distance between us. He begins to reach for the back of my neck, but then he stops and draws back.

“Sorry, it’s become a habit.”

Taking hold of his hand, I bring it up to my face and press my cheek to his palm.

My body shudders at the familiar touch, and it has Julian stepping closer. He wraps his other arm around me and slowly moves his hand to my jaw. His worried eyes scan over my face.

Feeling drained from all the emotional strain and trauma, I take a shaky breath while I fight back the tears for the hundredth time.

“I’m so sorry, Jamie,” he whispers, his face tightening with regret and sorrow over what has happened to me.

I bring my hands up between us and take hold of his jacket’s lapels. “It’s not your fault. Stop blaming yourself.”

He shakes his head and presses his forehead against mine. “I almost lost you. It fucking terrifies me.”