Ch64 - The warning

Violet woke thinking she’d dreamed everything. Her skin was completely dry, untouched—yet the memory of last night felt too real, too vivid. Her heartbeat kicked up for no reason, replaying every blurred, intimate moment with Julian until she yanked the blanket over her head in embarrassment.

A second later, the blanket was pulled down. She blinked into Julian’s face, eyes wide. “W-weren’t you supposed to leave early?”

“Plans got pushed back,” he said casually. He brushed his fingers over her cheek, then stepped away to grab his clothes. “But we should get moving.”

She watched his back—cold, distant—and something in her tightened. He only felt real, warm, human at night when he touched her. The moment the sun came up, he put the mask back on, neat and precise, like flipping a switch. It was jarring… and it stung more than she wanted to admit.

And now she noticed something else: he never turned the lights on until after he had a shirt on. His chest was open, but his back… last night, with her arms around him, she’d felt something there—rough, long, uneven. A scar? 

She couldn’t be sure; he’d moved her hand away before she could figure it out, fingers lacing with hers and pressing them into the pillow.

Maybe she was overthinking. He worked out all the time—injuries weren’t strange.

She wrapped a towel loosely around herself and went to the bathroom. The mirror caught all the marks he’d left on her skin, especially across her chest. Heat rushed to her face.

Enough. She shook off the useless thoughts, changed quickly, and waited until he stepped out of the room before opening her suitcase. She found the small pill box, snapped two pale-blue tablets free, and held them in her palm.

Thank God she’d stocked up. After the last time, she’d taken emergency pills and bought extra—just in case. She didn’t think she’d need them this soon… on day one of the trip.

She tossed them into her mouth and grabbed the water glass. But the moment she swallowed, footsteps came fast behind her.

“What are you taking?” Julian’s voice was sharp.

He appeared in front of her in seconds, fingers tilting her chin up, forcing her mouth open—but the pills were already gone.

His expression darkened. And when she traced his gaze downward, she realized he was holding the empty pill packet she’d left beside the suitcase.

“Why didn't you tell me?” His tone wasn’t loud, but it hit hard. He recognized the packaging—this wasn’t the first time he’d seen it. It just clicked, and something heavy settled in his eyes.

Violet froze. It wasn’t that she meant to hide it. She just… didn’t think it mattered. Given what their relationship was, wasn’t this the responsible thing to do? Why did he look upset?

He let go of her chin but didn’t take his eyes off her, waiting.

“I…” Her mind scrambled. It felt like she was being caught doing something wrong, even though she wasn’t. Her hands twisted at the hem of her shirt. “I was just… doing what I’m supposed to.”

Silence dropped between them. Julian’s face was unreadable in the shadow, staring at her like she was saying something he couldn’t wrap his head around.

The air went stiff. Heavy. Awkward in a way that made her want to shrink into herself.

Several seconds passed before Violet heard the faintest sigh. She glanced at Julian from the corner of her eye—his brows were still drawn, but the edge of his expression had softened. “Last night was on me,” he said quietly. “Don’t take these again. They’re not good for you.”

Her lashes fluttered. Don’t take them again…?

She couldn’t fully grasp what that implied, but there was something in his tone—something almost… protective.

When they checked out and reached the entrance, Julian gestured toward the car he usually rode in. “Take this one to Jura.”

“What about you?” Violet looked around. The second car that should’ve been there wasn’t. They were splitting up today—logically there should’ve been at least two.

“Don’t worry about me. Go on.” Julian slid one hand into his pocket, chin lifting slightly toward the open door.

She nodded, but her steps felt strangely heavy. She lifted her eyes again, hoping he’d look back—but he’d already turned, giving Craig instructions instead.

A quick, sharp sting settled in her chest. The driver had been holding the door for a while, waiting. She finally climbed in, lowered her gaze to her lap, and didn’t look back.

Once the car started rolling away, Julian finally lifted his eyes.

Craig reported, “Boss, no worries. The car Ms. Violet originally would’ve taken now has two stand-ins—both similar build to you two. And there’s an escort car tailing hers for protection.”

Julian gave a short hum. “I wasn’t worried.”

But he was still staring in the direction her car had gone, as if something of his had been dragged with it.

Craig and Jay exchanged a look and kept quiet. They were sure Julian hadn’t told Violet a thing about what had happened the past couple of weeks.

Too much, too fast.

First the brakes on his car mysteriously failing for a few seconds—even though maintenance was just done.

Then some “accident” where a kid’s toy plane slammed into him; Julian had brushed it off because it was a kid.

Then the allergic reaction at lunch…

To outsiders, they were nothing—little mishaps.

But Craig and Jay had been with Julian long enough to recognize the pattern.

These weren’t random. These were the same kinds of “warnings” that had shown up right before the real disasters years ago—before the assassination attempt, before the plane crash, before everything went to hell.

Ever since Julian’s father and brother died in that plane crash, he’d had a fear of flying—not the plane itself, but the feeling of losing the people he loved. And he hid it well. On flights he relied on medication and sheer willpower just to look normal.

This time, the timing of the “accidents” was off—clustered right before this trip with Violet. Craig and Jay privately suspected the message wasn’t aimed only at Julian anymore.

It was a warning: Watch your wife.

Which explained why Julian kept changing plans, delaying flights, even pushing his schedule later this morning—just to see her again before she left, to make sure she was safe.

Jay finally caught on and elbowed Craig, grinning like an idiot.

Craig shot him a look. “What, you’re this happy just ’cause you don’t have to stick to the missus today?”

Julian’s cold stare sliced over immediately.

Jay flinched. “No—no, that’s not what I meant! I just mean it’d look weird if a guy like me followed her around alone. She’s nice. I like her— “

Julian’s brow twitched.

Jay quickly added, “As a boss. AS A BOSS.”

Craig didn’t even blink. “Shut up if you wanna live.”

Julian lifted a brow. “Alright. Enough. We’re leaving for Munich.”

He glanced over their outfits, then at his own. Jay, closest to his build, understood instantly. He shrugged off his jacket and handed it over so they could swap and avoid being recognized.

As Jay adjusted the collar for him, Craig asked, “Boss, you sure we don’t need more hands on this?”

Julian’s tone stayed calm, “No. More people make it harder to stay hidden and move quietly.”

Even knowing how dangerous this trip would be, his eyes didn’t waver. This was the closest he’d ever been to uncovering what really happened to his father and brother. Whatever waited ahead—he had to go.