Chapter 44. Phone Call

Braxton

I haven’t slept all night. Instead, I’ve tossed and turned, thinking only of Julia. I don’t know how I’m going to get through the day. I have several important meetings, but I may have to reschedule them. I can’t think about work, accounts, personnel matters, anything except for my sweet Julia.

I am in the backseat, staring aimlessly out the window as I make the long drive into work when my phone rings. I jump immediately because it is the special ringtone I have given to Julia. I fish my phone out of my pocket. “Hello?” I say, praying that it’s her and not Jeff.

“Braxton?”

The sound of her voice melts my insides. Even though she sounds like she might be crying, I am relieved to know that she is okay, that she has the capacity of calling me. Overnight, I’ve had all sorts of awful images in my mind.

Despite my people being stationed right next door, I imagine her being beaten or killed, or Jeff tying her up so she can’t move, let