CHAPTER 159 HANDLING CHUCKY CLEARANCE

DAMIAN "I'm heading to Florida," I muttered under my breath, rubbing my temples as Julie's high-pitched voice buzzed through the phone like an irritating fly. "But I want to come with you!" Julie's voice protested; her words laced with desperation. I sighed, my hand tightening around my phone. My other fist clenched at my side, knuckles turning white. She never knew when to back down. "No, Julie. It's business. I don't need you tagging along," I snapped, my voice sharper than intended. My jaw tightened, the muscles in my neck straining as I waited for her inevitable retort. Her words came fast and angry. "You don't need me for anything anymore, do you?" Her voice cracked slightly, but it was hard to tell if it was from sadness or frustration. I exhaled slowly, my Adam's apple bobbing as I swallowed the urge to hang up. She'd been on edge since last night. Hell, I had been on edge. When she'd crawled into bed, trying to initiate something, I'd brushed her off. I didn't want her.