“Are you sure you want us to go?” Hil studied her carefully. “I could write just as easily from here and I know Evonne and Joey always have a room ready. I do too for that matter.”
“No. I’ll be fine, guys.” Juliette kept her voice steady and strong. ?
??Running didn’t work. This time I have to take a stand. I let him take so much last time. I can’t do that again.”
Shame heated her face. “How could I let it get to that point?” Even now she didn’t understand it.
“None of us saw him for what he truly was until it was too late, Jul.” Evonne wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “We saw you daily, went out with you on many occasions and had no clue about the hell he put you through. He’s good at playing a role. It’s how he sucks women in.”
“I’m sure all that old money and power that comes with his name has intimidated and paid many women into silence.” Joey sneered.
“Don’t internalize this, Jul. He’s the one at fault, not you. We’re just so damn glad you reached out to us when you did. The important thing is you walked away. Who knows what else he would’ve done?”
Juliette shuddered. She knew. It was why she left.
“I’ll be fine if anything happens, which I doubt it will, I’ll call the police, followed by you.”
The girls lingered in front of the door, reluctant to leave.
“If you’re sure.” Joey hovered in the doorway, concern swimming in her almond-shaped eyes.
“Positive.” Juliette opened the door and they left one by one. “I’ll talk to you girls tomorrow.” She waved, watching them get into their vehicles before she closed the door and armed the alarm. Alone with only silence and her memory to keep her company.
* * * * *
“How you holding up?” Hilary asked.
Juliette toyed with the uneaten chicken wrap on her plate and sighed.
“Okay, I guess. I barely slept last night.”
“I told you to come home with one of us.” Hilary frowned.
“You coming by and taking me out to lunch is plenty. I wasn’t scared, just trying to figure out why he’s doing this now.”
“I don’t think crazy ever has a logical reason.” Hil shot her a sympathetic look.
“There is that I suppose.” Juliette forced herself to pick up half the wrap and take a bite.
They’d opted to eat outside and enjoy the nice weather. Seated in the shade of a large oak, they had the ideal spot at the local shop.
“When’s Shooter getting home?”
“Hard to tell. He’s away on club business.” She shrugged. “We sort of have a don’t ask, don’t tell policy going on with that. Women don’t really get the rundown on the extracurricular activities.”
“And you’re okay with that?” Hilary frowned. Juliette could see the shock in her friend’s eyes. It must seem weird, tolerating secrecy after what she’d gone through with Peter.
“It’s the way things are run. If I want Shooter I have to accept the club too.”
“And he means enough for you to do that?” Hilary glanced up from her plate with a shuttered expression.
“It’s pretty damn serious, Hil.” Juliette narrowed her eyes. Hil had been a bit edgy. Watching her friend go from an optimistic believer in true love and finding Mr. Right to a shrew caught in a divorce battle that wasn’t hers had been painful.
Hilary stabbed at the lettuce on her plate.
“You don’t approve?” Juliette’s heart grew heavy. “I know we’re unlikely, trust me. I questioned myself about this a million times. “
“I’m worried about you. He comes with a lot of baggage.”