Around: Wrapped Around You Read Online Free

of the sentence unfinished because the thought was unimaginable. He hated even entertaining the idea of putting Julie in danger, but Jackson was right. Using someone else for the exchange would make them suspicious. He wanted them gone and this wrapped up so he could move forward with Julie. He pulled her into his arms, tipping her face up so that he could brush a kiss across her lips. “I hate taking a chance with your safety,” he said.
    “I know. Don’t worry. I’ll be okay.” She stretched up to press her lips against his. “I will.”
    “You don’t take your eyes off of her, and if there’s even the hint that things might go wrong, you pull the plug. Understand?”
    “You have my word,” said Jackson. Behind him Luke watched Eric and Julie, appraising.
    Eric let out his breath, praying he wouldn’t regret this. “Make the call.”
     
    ~~~~~
     
    Julie sucked in her breath, counting to ten as she exhaled. When she was fairly certain she could talk without her voice shaking, she picked up her phone and looked at Jackson.
    “We’re ready, Miss Blake.”
    Julie hit the send button and waited two rings before the man with the unremarkable voice answered the phone.
    “You’re cutting it very close, Miss Blake,” said the voice she’d already come to hate. “I do believe your brother was starting to worry. Do you have my money?”
    “I’m not sure what makes it your money,” said Julie. “But yes I have it. I want to talk to my brother.”
    “Of course.”
    There was a thud and some shuffling and then Caleb’s voice came through the line. “Julie?”
    “I’m here. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” Even after everything he’d done, he was still her brother and she loved him. The idea of him being hurt or scared twisted something low in her stomach.
    “I’m okay. I was afraid you weren’t going to call. Do you really have the money?” His voice sounded small with none of the bravado it usually held. That got to her almost as much as anything.
    “Yes, I’ve got it. All of it. I’m going to get you out of there.”
    She heard move scuffling and then the other man was back. “As lovely as these brother and sister times are, I’m running out of patience. For your brother’s sake, I hope you have the twenty-five thousand we talked about.”
    Jackson moved his hand in a keep going motion, and Julie paused to draw out the time before she answered.
    “I have the full hundred thousand.”
    “Do you? I’m intrigued. Your brother seemed concerned that you wouldn’t be able to come up with the twenty-five thousand. Tell me, how were you able to come up with the rest? You haven’t found a sugar daddy have you? I’d hate for you to have to do something distasteful for the money. Unless of course you were doing it for me,” he said with a chuckle.
    Julie watched Eric clench his fists, and Luke put his hand on his friend’s shoulder.
    “This whole thing is distasteful,” she said, mimicking his tone. “I want it over and you out of my life.”
    “I simply want my money, Miss Blake. The money your brother owes me. But I have to ask again, where did you get the money?”
    “I don’t have it yet.”
    There was a smack like the sound of flesh hitting flesh, followed by a low groan.
    “Don’t hurt him!”
    Eric jumped to his feet, shaking off Luke’s restraining hand and hurried to her side.
    “I’m out of patience, Miss Blake. Don’t toy with me, or I will hurt the people you love. I find pain to be an excellent motivator.”
    Julie heard another thump and a low moan, and tears pricked her eyes.
    “Your father is still alive, isn’t he?”
    “Leave my father alone, you bastard. I’ll get you your money. All of it. I have a friend who works at First National. She helped me get a loan. I’ll have your money the day after tomorrow.”
    “I’m really not sure I can wait that long. You promised me the twenty-five tonight and now you’re telling me I have to wait another day and a