That night, Julien couldn't sleep. He lay beside his lovely wife, now sleeping, smiling sweetly after their wonderful evening together. But he couldn't help but think of what his sweet, fierce wife had told him. She feared nothing but one thing, and she had revealed it tonight: Losing him.
He couldn't allow that to happen... and he couldn't lose her, either.
There was only one thing for him to do. Lacey wouldn't like it, but it was the only way to save them both pain and grief. He couldn't allow anyone or anything to come in the way of their relationship... including her ex.
He carefully slid out of bed without waking her, dressed, and carried his boots into the hallway, wanting to take no chances of waking his beloved. For she couldn't know. She could never know.
After slipping into his boots, he headed down the stairs of the compound until he reached the first floor.