Chapter 12

A wave of panic crashed over Julian, heavy and suffocating, striking him harder than any bullet ever had. Before he could even figure out where that pain came from, he was already storming out of the Shepherd residence and jumping back into his jeep, only to freeze with his hands on the wheel. He had no idea where to go. Julian used every connection he had to recall the morning newspapers and stop the news from spreading. But Wayne was clearly determined to cut Julian off from Trina completely. He rallied every contact he had in the business world, plastering the divorce news everywhere. By noon, everyone in Flarora knew. For the first time, Julian realized there were things he couldn't control. "General Hauser..." The guard's voice was cautious as he reported in. "Ms. Blake has been asking for you. She seems emotionally unstable." Julian pressed his fingers into his temples, trying to rub away the pounding behind his eyes. Exhaustion rolled over him like a wave he couldn't qui