“Stop, Harper, come on, babe. That’s not what I meant,” I plead.
“Oh it’s not? You didn’t just say you wanted to know about my ex’s?” She stops pacing and locks her unreadable eyes with mine. “I’m ripped open, spilling the blood of my past. Everything I’m ashamed of, everything that was just for me to know. I have nothing left. My father and Shattered Souls have every last piece of me.” She closes her eyes briefly before stepping closer to me. “I had fuck buddies, that’s it. Most of them didn’t even know who I was. They sure as fuck wouldn’t have the balls to threaten me. If you want names, I’ll give you the one I know. Zane Madden.” She pulls the door open and slams it behind her.
“Fuck,” I growl.
By the time I catch up to her, she’s throwing back a shot. “Oh do you need a list of my drinks too?”
“Enough,” I snap. I grab her elbow and pull her away from the bar. “You have every right to be pissed and take it out on me. But don’t for one second think that anything I do isn’t out of pure love for you. I can’t keep you safe and not know what’s out there. I’m sorry it feels like I’ve ripped you open, but fuck, let me put you back together. Don’t pull away. We’re gonna get through this, alright?”
“What if we don’t?” she questions.
“Then I’ll die trying.”
She searches my eyes and I fucking hope she finds what she’s looking for. Her deep blue eyes are wild right now. I don’t move, I just let her hunt for the answers she’s seeking. The minute she finds it, my Harper is back. Her body relaxes, her eyes soften, and her lips tip up a bit. I have no idea what she found, but it worked.
“I need to get out of here. Can we go to your place?” she asks.
“Whatever you want,” I say, pulling her to me.
“Someone needs to get Ivy. She’s in far too much danger after talking to him today. I need to make sure she’s safe.”
I kiss the corner of her mouth and grin. “Like I said, whatever you want.”
“I want to talk to your mom, Gloria, and Nora. Can you have them stop by too?”
I tilt my head. “Do you really want that?” She nods her head and I sigh. “Alright, let’s go.”
“Harper, what the fuck,” Ivy whispers.
She just spent the last few hours telling Ivy everything. Too much if you ask me. Kace and I have been in and out, giving them privacy, but still keeping an eye on them. Luckily for Kace, Ivy came without a fight this time.
“So what does this all mean? Like, I’m sorry for everything that happened to you, but am I gonna die? Ivy asks.
“No,” Kace butts in. “Noone is gonna die.”
“We’ll be taking you all somewhere secure. When it’s safe, we’ll bring you all back and life will be normal again,” I reply, hitting the joint I just rolled. I offer it to Ivy and she takes it, surprising the shit out of me.
“How long?” Ivy asks, passing it back to me.
Harper grabs her hand and forces a smile. “It won’t be long, I promise.”
She gets up to go to the kitchen and I follow. “I need to go for a little bit. My mom and the others will be here and I’ve got Finn and Porter here.”
“Alright,” she says, keeping her back to me.
“Babe,” I begin.
She turns around and grabs my cut, holding me to her. “Take me to our spot, when you get home.”
I run my fingers through her hair and grab it. “If it’s not too late, I promise.”
She pushes up on her toes and kisses me. It’s gentle, but it still sends a shock through me. “Be careful.”
“Always.”
Kace and I leave, heading to Kingsley’s club. Alex said something was going on, so we’re all on our way to see if that prick is back.
We keep our distance, but watch from afar. It is busy, but that could just be the crowd. I hate admitting it, but it is a successful business. That’s thanks to Harper though. This has nothing to do with Kingsley.
“That’s a lot of people,” Kace says.
I focus my attention on the front door and parking lot. There are people coming and going out the door. The parking lot is crawling with people. There is no sign of Kingsley, though. Actually, there’s no sign of any of the Vegas Kings.
“Maybe they are doing some kind of special. You know, buy one get one,” Porter jokes.
We all lightly laugh, but keep watch. But, after three hours of nothing, we decide to leave. We’ll get him, we just need to be patient.
When Kace and I get back to my place, I stop him outside. “I’m taking Harper for a ride. We’re gonna be gone for a while. I’d rather you, Riley, and Finn stay here with Ivy. Order food, drink, I don’t care. Just keep her safe.”
He nods. “Okay we’ll just chill here.”
He turns to walk away and I call his name. “Don’t fuck on my bed.”
“Fuck you,” he snaps.
We walk inside and I’m laughing, especially when I notice he’s really pissed. He definitely has a thing for that girl.
“How’d it go?” Gloria aks.
I’m surprised they’re still here. I expected them to be in and out. However, her question pisses me off. “Club business, you know that shit.”
“Relax, sweet boy,” my mom says, kissing my cheek.
I look around for Harper and when my eyes slam into hers, I
