“Fuck, I wish I knew.”
Gregg reached for Julia’s hand. “Let’s show those people that this transfer is smooth. We are united for Wade.”
Julia nodded, taking one look back at me as she went forward with Gregg.
“Go,” I said to Albert.
“This won’t last long,” Lena reassured.
Through the glass revolving door, our group came to the top of the steps as February’s cool wind swirled around us. Maybe fifteen or twenty reporters were present on the sidewalk, shouting questions.
“Is Wade being sold?”
“Is Wade going public?”
“Are you filing Chapter Eleven?”
“Mrs. Sherman, are you the new CEO?”
“Ms. Montgomery, what brought Wade to your attention?”
Gregg went forward, lifting his hands. “I’m Gregg McGrath” —he gestured for Ana to join him— “and this is my wife, Anastasia McGrath. It has been an honor to care for the company Ana’s grandfather founded. Today as you have heard, we are passing the mantle onto the next generation.” He smiled at Julia. “Julia Sherman will answer your questions.”
My pulse raced as I scanned the crowd.
Lena was probably right—Lip was in Wisconsin.
Hell, maybe I’d tell Andrew and Ruth to forget Ashland. Take us someplace tropical.
Julia began addressing the crowd. With each word she was stunning and confident, everything I’d always known her to be. Since that first night, when she changed my world forever, I saw not only her beauty, but her heart and courage. She battled a blizzard. A few questions were nothing. Her qualities shone from her like a beacon, a calling to lost ships.
My phone vibrated.
I didn’t want to miss what Julia was saying, yet I couldn’t not look.
Text message from a restricted number.
“You can’t win. Fuck you. I’m taking from you what you took from me.”
My heart fought to beat and my lungs to fill with air.
Phillip.
Fuck.
I took a step forward. Fuck this speech. Fuck Wade’s value. We were going. “Julia.”
She and Gregg turned my way.
Explosions.
Firecrackers.
People screamed as a series of gunshots erupted from the other side of the street. Pulling Julia’s wrist, I threw her to the ground and landed on top of her.
Lifting my head, I saw men surrounding a man as police personnel ran to the scene.
With the gunshots still in my ears, I lifted myself. My heart stilled as I rolled Julia to her back. “Fuck.” The blue orbs staring at me were the most precious sight I’d ever seen. “Talk to me.”