followed in their father’s footsteps. It wasn’t politics that killed their parents, but it was arrogance and carelessness and that should have been enough.
“I’m going to do my best to avoid my mother,” Julian said after a long stretch of silence. “She’s the one who’ll be the most suspicious. My sister won’t care, but she’s nosy, so she might get a little, you know, curious.” Julian trailed off with a shrug, and Archer nodded.
“I have an older brother, I know how it goes.”
Julian glanced at him out of the corner of his eye for a second. “Bryce is going to make sure all of the attention is on him, so he’ll probably act out. I can’t imagine he’s going to be polite to you, so I should probably apologize for that now.”
Archer couldn’t help his small, disbelieving laugh. “Aren’t you two divorced?”
“Obviously,” Julian said.
“So why are you still apologizing for him?” He watched as Julian’s face pinked again, and he felt a little bad for what he was saying, but he couldn’t help it. “He what—he cheated on you, right? Divorced you? He’s marrying your cousin, and he’s a massive dick. Even if you weren’t paying for this week, you do not need to apologize for that. He should be on his knees begging forgiveness.”
Julian bit down on his top lip. It made the faded scar line stand out stark against his tanned skin before he let go, and he sighed out through his nose. “Even for whatever Ilan’s paying you, it’s probably not enough to put up with their bullshit.”
“You didn’t ask for this,” Archer replied quietly.
“Except I did. I don’t need you to defend me.” Julian’s tone was sharp now, and Archer knew he’d stepped over a line. “I’m just trying to give you fair warning. You can take it or leave it.”
Flinching a little, Archer turned his face toward the window as the thick, lush greens started to fade—just a little—as they raced south toward the coast. He half expected Julian to apologize, if only to clear the tense air between them, but he didn’t say a word until he pulled off the freeway and into a gas station parking lot.
“I’m going to grab a drink. Do you want anything?” Julian asked, opening his door.
Archer wanted to say no, just to be contrary because this wasn’t what he had asked for. Then he had to remind himself that he was there in a professional capacity. He had lied about himself, and what he did, and he was supposed to be someone entirely different. Acting like a spurned lover on a date was not in the job description—he was pretty damn sure of that.
“Why don’t I get it,” he said, climbing out of the car. He walked around to Julian’s side, stopping him with a palm against his chest when the other man tried to push forward. “I’m here to make this week easier on you. I can start now.”
Julian swallowed thickly, then his eyes darted off to the side before he shrugged. “Just water.”
Archer had a feeling the man would have chosen something different if he was shopping for himself, but he didn’t push, and he didn’t argue. It was going to be a long trip as it was, and there was no sense making it feel even longer. He knew he would end up regretting it, he just hoped it wasn’t going to be in the first few hours on the road.
Chapter 8
Archer appreciated that Julian didn’t seem overly keen on stopping often—not even for food. They grabbed burgers on their bathroom break, and filled up once more with gas before Julian pointed out the sign as they were passing.
Crescent Cove
Population 11,218
Founded 1823
“Why have I never heard of this place?” Archer wondered, not really meaning to say that aloud.
Their conversation had dwindled down to nothing, and Archer knew he should be doing a better job getting to know Julian, but he wasn’t good at initiating conversation. His charm worked better when he played off other people, but Julian was a brick wall.
“Unless your family comes from millions,” Julian said with a sardonic sneer, “then it doesn’t surprise me you’ve never heard of it. We had a summer home here when I was a kid, but my parents sold it when I turned thirteen.”
Archer turned wide eyes on him. His profile was hidden by the early dark of the winter sky, but he could make out just a hint of a smirk on his lips. “So, you