Chapter 17 Weapon Beneath the Towel
The next morning, Elana was halfway back into her car when she heard a voice behind her.
“Are you going somewhere?”
She didn’t bother turning around. She knew that voice.
Her jaw clenched as she flung the driver’s door open wider, her hand already reaching for the seat as if she could disappear into it.
She was just about to slide in when the door slammed shut from behind with a sharp bang.
Julian’s hand wrapped around her arm, firmly, pulling her back from the car.
“Hey," he said softly.
“You're in my way," she snapped impatiently, adjusting the large glasses she wore to hide her red puffy eyes from crying all night.
“You should be having a driver,” he said sharply and pulled her off gently. “You’re still recovering from the accident.”
She spun on him like a struck match.
“Get your filthy hands away from me!” she snapped, shoving his chest with both palms. “You have no right to bother about my safety.”
Julian stared at her like she’d suddenly started speaking another language.
His brows pulled together, confusion flashing across his face.
“Are you okay?” he asked slowly. “Did you hit your head again? Did you have a concussion overnight? Should I call the nurse?”
She laughed bitterly at his words. “You think I have a concussion. I must really be stupid to think you get to tell me what to do with my life.”
“Elena—”
“Don’t call me that.” Her voice shook with fury now. “Let go of me. I am driving out. I have somewhere to be.”
He didn’t release her. Instead, he studied her face, his eyes searching.
“Did you not sleep well last night?” he asked.
That did it.
“Will you stop pretending like you care about me?” she exploded. “Let go of my hand. I’m not a baby, and I don’t need you protecting me.”
Julian blinked, clearly thrown by her outburst. “What's wrong? Why are you acting this way?"
“It's you who's acting and frankly it's disgusting!"
“I am genuinely concerned about you,” he said, his voice firm but calm. “I don’t want anything to happen to you after that accident. I think you should stay close for now.”
“Pfft, I'll be damned to do anything you say," she snapped and whipped around, grabbing the door again.
He stopped her with just one arm and despite how much she tugged, she couldn't move it.
“You shouldn’t go out without protection, wait, I'll dress up and escort you.”
He turned and headed back into the house.
“You must be crazy,” she shot after him. “If you think I’m going to wait for you to dress up and follow me around like some sort of prisoner.”
She yanked the car door open again and jumped into the driver’s seat, slamming it shut. Her hands were shaking as she pressed the start button.
Nothing.
She pressed it again.
Instead of the engine roaring to life, a calm mechanical voice filled the car.
“Security system activated.”
She frowned, startled at the sudden sound and then tried the hand brake but nothing seemed to move.
“Vehicle on lockdown.” The mechanical voice said again.
She screamed in frustration and slammed her palm against the steering wheel.
“Are you kidding me?” she yelled. “You tech savvy controlling son of a—”
She cut herself off, shoved the door open, grabbed her bag, and stormed out of the car. Her heels struck the driveway angrily as she marched back toward the house.
Julian was already gone.
She followed him inside, her anger pushing her forward, up the stairs, her chest heaving. She turned toward his study and shoved the door open.
Empty.
“Unbelievable,” she muttered. “Where are you?! Come and turn on the car this minute! You have no right!"
She spun on her heel and headed straight for his bedroom, but when she reached the door, something made her pause. On instinct, she placed her fingers against the sensor.
A soft chime sounded.
“Authentication approved.”
The door unlocked.
She froze.
Her heart thudded loudly as realization dawned.
It was her fingerprint programmed on his door.
Her breath hitched.
“How crazy is that?” she whispered to herself. “What if I had opened this last night?”
Her stomach twisted at the thought of walking in on him and that woman.
The image made her chest burn.
She stepped inside.
The first thing that struck her was the size. His bedroom was larger than hers. It was broader, deeper and more imposing.
The bed dominated the space, wide and neatly made. To the side was the wardrobe, the same one where he had pulled out the silvery dress for the banquet.
Beyond that, a small but elegant study table sat near one wall, papers neatly stacked and a laptop half open.
At the center of the room was a large couch, upholstered in deep gray, facing a low table.
The windows were massive and I didn't miss the fact that everything was gray.
She walked toward them slowly and looked out. The view stole her breath despite everything. The entire mansion grounds stretched out before her, she could see the entire yard and gates.
That means he saw the strange woman come in last night.
She hugged her arms around herself. How could he pretend to love her when he was cheating on her?
Their union was a contract, but she didn't expect him to rub it on her face so brazenly.
She was still pacing angrily when she heard water running.
Her spine stiffened as she scoffed in exasperation. Was he serious about driving her out? Was he trying to control her entire life?
“Oh my goodness,” she whispered. “Is he really taking his bath to drive me?”
She turned sharply toward the bathroom door just as it opened.
“I don’t need you to follow me anywhere,” she blurted out, spinning around. “And if you insist, I’m calling my father and telling him you’re turning this marriage into a prison for me.”
She lifted her head.
And immediately regretted it.
Standing right there before her was Julian in all his wet glory.
He was wearing nothing.