Nodding, I let out a small sigh of relief that she was spared that experience; I’m kind of enjoying the lack of her attention, and I don’t want something to spark her into coming after me again. “Then on Thursday, I’ve got to truck the horses to the movie set, and Max should be arriving at the same time we are.”
“We?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Declan is insisting on coming with me. He wants to see what the hold up is with the director, and he figures tagging along with me is a good way to do it, I guess.” Nodding, he puts my foot down and picks up the other.
“Ah yes, my anal brother, the one who doesn’t like things to be out of his control. Your arrival has got Mr. Cool unusually shaken. And what are you doing to his cat? You know it’s driving him wild, right?” He has a wide grin on his face at the thought of Declan’s discomfort. It’s not malicious though, just amused, showcasing the easy camaraderie the two of them have.
“I swear I’m doing nothing. Someone keeps opening my door and letting her in!” I protest, and he snorts.
“It’s probably Declan himself. I wouldn't put it past him. It’s a way of being able to keep an eye on you if he can claim he’s looking for his cat. And any plans on the weekend?”
I feel a blush spread over my face, but I’m sure he can’t see it in the dim light of the limo. After dancing and flirting with him, I’m a little embarrassed and slightly confused about having to admit to him that I’m going away with his brother for the weekend. Feeling a little flushed, I slip off my jacket. “Actually, I do. Kai invited me to go to Hawaii with him. He needs to check out a couple of athletes for a potential new team.” His hand stills on my foot for a moment before continuing.
“That sounds fun.” He actually sounds like he means it, zero hint of any concern that I was grinding on him all night yet I’m going on a weekend getaway with his brother. Hope's voice comes to mind, and I can almost hear her singing, “Let it go.” Shaking it off, I tune back in to what he’s saying. “I have meetings all weekend; otherwise, I would have liked to come too. Maybe next time.”
“Yeah, that would be… good.” I’m surprised at my response, but then hehasgone out of his way to make an effort. Even though tonight was about fun, I also know myself. If I trust him with my body, even a bit, then there’s something inside me that’s made a choice.
Maybe I’m working on forgiving them all already.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Harlow
The rest of the ride home was silent but comfortable. Holden stopped rubbing my feet but put his arm around me, the two of us sitting closely together, my jacket long forgotten. It isn't until we pull into the driveway and I drop the partition to direct the driver toward the stables that Holden starts to talk again.
“Why are we going to the stables?” He sits up straighter, moving his arm from my shoulder. “And didn’t you have Oli’s Vanquish?” His body is tense now that he’s realized something doesn’t make sense about this situation, but I wait until the car stops to answer him so that I can make a fast exit. I quickly shove my feet back into the boots, hoping to get this over with as quickly as possible.Yeah, blowing off steam time is definitely over with.
“After yesterday’s threat, I need to be reassured DS is okay,” I tell him, getting out of the car and thanking the driver.
I start to walk toward the stable, his thick-soled boots thumping on the ground as he catches up with me. “And the car?”
I stop, my shoulders dropping with a sigh. “The car was vandalized while Hope and I were at dinner. It’s now in police custody, waiting for forensics.” His jaw drops as the sensor light outside the stable turns on with our movement. Turning, I slide open the door and flick the inside switch on, heading into the stable without waiting for his response. I’m about to clomp right over to DS’s stall, but I come to a quick stop, the sight in front of me too shocking to comprehend.
“Harlow, I saw a limo drop you off and just wanted to come and see what the fuck has happened to my car.” Oliver’s angry voice easily travels into the stable, and normally, that tone would have me turning around in defense mode, but I can’t turn away. A mirror shattering scream leaves my mouth, and I start to rush forward, but Holden wraps his arms around me, holding me back.
“What the hell?” Oliver’s suddenly next to us, but I yank myself out of Holden's arms and run toward the blood-covered legs sticking out of an open stable. They have a pair of high heels on, and when I get closer, there's a horse blanket over the top of the body clad in a dress that I recognize as Jacinta’s, her dark hair splayed out behind her and face hidden. Tears stream down my face as I realize what’s happened. My stalker has escalated, and Jacinta is a casualty of his madness. Now she’s truly a broken girl, and any chance of us ever changing the future between us is gone.
“Nooooo!” The anguished shout leaves Holden’s mouth, and I turn to find the two of them directly behind me, Holden in Oliver’s arms as tears stream down his face.
Stepping closer, I brace myself. I've seen my fair share of dead animals during training, but this is a whole different thing. My mind flashes back on the day I had to identify my mother, a roll of nausea threatening my resolve, and I take a deep breath to steady myself. Flipping back the horse blanket, a whoosh of air leaves my mouth and I blink, struggling to comprehend what I’m seeing.
It’s a fucking mannequin. Just a fashion dummy dressed up to look like Jacinta. But aside from the “blood,” there’s another dark twist. A bullet hole is in the middle of her forehead, and a note lies atop her body. With a trembling hand, I reach toward the note, stopping myself when the thought that it might be evidence hits me. Instead, I lean forward until I can make out the words printed on it:The real one is next!
“Oh, thank fuck!” I breathe out a sigh of relief, and strangled gasps and sobs behind me have me turning again. Oliver and Holden, still holding onto one another, have stepped closer and come to the same conclusion; it’s not really Jacinta. Suddenly, voices draw our attention toward the entry.
“Harlow?! We heard you scream.” Kai bursts into the stable, Thomas close on his heels, the latter holding a gun like he knows what to do with it. They’re followed by Declan, Jaxon, Dad, and even Jacinta, all of them sprinting. “Holy shit.” Kai’s hoarse whisper is echoed by his siblings, and Jacinta takes a surprisingly steady step forward. Meanwhile, the horses are freaking out, not appreciating all of the chaos.
“They’re my shoes,” Jacinta says, and I hear her step closer. “Oh my god,” she gasps, and when I turn, she’s wrapped in Jaxon’s arms, her head buried in his chest. His eyes are tight with fury, that protective instinct of his definitely triggered by this sick display.
“This has gone too far,” he says through clenched teeth.
“You’re not wrong,” Thomas adds in, tucking the gun in his hand into the back of his waistband and pulling his shirt over the top.
“Right, as of today, Harlow and Jacinta, you don't goanywherealone,” Dad announces, pulling out his phone.
“But I’ve got to take the horse to the set, and I’m going to Hawaii with Kai!” I blurt out, my heart racing. Right now, there’s almost this strange bubble between me and the rest of the world. I’m lost in this feeling that this is all too crazy to be real, like I’m sitting back at the club, stuck in some tequila-inspired nightmare. It takes me a minute to realize that I need to get myself back into reality, and I almost feel like an idiot for what I just said to Dad.
My stalker…ourstalker?... just left a death threat for Jacinta, and I’m worried about Hawaii and horses? Am I in some kind of shock?
