Chapter 5 - Julian Voss Finally Broke His Own Rules
Julian moved Cora into a safe apartment.
She hated it.
The apartment was beautiful.
Too beautiful.
There were marble floors, thick curtains, expensive furniture, and enough security cameras to make her feel like a prisoner.
"I can't stay here."
"You can."
"I work at seven."
"You won't."
"I am not quitting my job."
"You aren't safe."
"I'm not quitting."
Julian stared at her.
"You're stubborn."
"So are you."
"Yes."
"And?"
"I've noticed."
Cora folded her arms.
"You can't lock me away."
"I can."
"You won't."
His eyes narrowed.
"No."
She smiled.
"Good."
Julian looked away.
For the first time in years, someone had entered his life and refused to obey him.
And somehow, he didn't hate it.
One night, Cora found him awake at three in the morning.
He was sitting alone in the kitchen.
She stood in the doorway.
"You don't sleep?"
"Sometimes."
"That's not an answer."
He looked at her.
"Neither is 'fine.'"
She almost smiled.
"What are you thinking about?"
"My sister."
Cora pulled out a chair.
"Tell me."
He hesitated.
Then began.
His sister, Elena, had been fourteen.
She had a heart condition.
Their father had refused to send her to an expensive hospital because he was trying to protect money during a gang war.
Julian had begged.
He had promised.
He had threatened.
None of it mattered.
Elena died.
Cora listened.
"And your mother?"
"She was the nurse who stayed with Elena at the end."
Cora closed her eyes.
"Mom told me about a little girl once."
Julian looked at her.
"She said the girl was scared of dying alone."
Julian's voice broke.
"She wasn't."
Cora looked at him.
"How do you know?"
"Because my mother was with her."
He shook his head.
"Sorry."
Cora reached across the table.
She took his hand.
Julian froze.
He stared at their hands.
No one had touched him that gently in years.
Cora pulled back.
"Sorry."
He didn't let go.
Instead, his fingers closed around hers.
"I don't want you to apologize."
She looked at him.
For a moment, they said nothing.
Then Julian asked,
"Why did you become a nurse?"
"My mother."
"What did she say?"
"That if you can't save everyone, you save whoever is in front of you."
Julian smiled faintly.
"She sounds like she was difficult."
"She was."
Cora laughed.
Julian's gaze lingered on her face.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're staring."
"I know."
Her smile faded.
"Julian."
He leaned closer.
"I'm not going to kiss you."
She swallowed.
"Good."
"Unless you ask."
Her heart raced.
"I won't."
"Okay."
He moved away.
Neither slept that night.
The next morning, Tomas arrived with news.
They had found Raymond.
Alive.
In a warehouse owned by Gabriel.
Julian grabbed his coat.
Cora stood.
"I'm coming."
"No."
"He is my father."
"You don't know what you'll find."
"Neither do you."
Julian stared.
Then nodded.
"Stay beside me."
"I can do that."
They reached the warehouse.
Raymond was tied to a chair.
His face was bruised.
Cora rushed to him.
"Dad!"
He looked at her.
Tears filled his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Cora froze.
"For what?"
"I didn't know."
"Know what?"
He looked toward Julian.
Then whispered,
"Your mother didn't die because of an operation."
May you like
Cora felt the blood drain from her face.
"She was murdered."
