Chapter 425

Claire never brought up the bleeding with him. If she did, chances were Julian would’ve just locked her in bed, spoon-fed her, and checked her pulse every five minutes. He leaned back in the car and shut his eyes the moment he got in. The business event that afternoon had him cornered the entire time. As always, everyone wanted a piece of Cloudmere, and now that he had the extra title of being the Allen family's future son-in-law — thanks to last night’s splashy birthday banquet — the crowd had been even crazier. Michael had taken the brunt of it for him, blocking drinks and shielding him like a champ — probably lost half his life doing it. Now the guy was slumped in the passenger seat, drained and half-asleep. Less than ten minutes into the ride, he was already snoring like a chainsaw. Julian frowned. Just when he was settling his mind, those nasal sirens started up — and they echoed too, like surround sound at full volume. Claire and Brandon nervously exchanged looks. Claire nearly r