“Wow.” I glance over to Oliver at the sound, only focusing on him for a moment before I switch over to Thomas. For some reason, he doesn't look surprised at all. I think he's known all along that there was more to me than what everyone thought. But why wouldn't he say anything? No, if he knew for sure, he would have told them.So what the hell does that look on his face mean?
* * *
Eventually, Prada’s vet arrives, praising me for a job well done while simultaneously reminding me that if I’m going to practice in California, I should get licensed for the state. With everything that was going on, I hadn't done it before I applied for the internship. It’s at the top of my list when we get back from Hawaii since I’ll need a current license ready for the next application.
Needing to do his due diligence, the vet follows the same steps I did, checking that all of the placenta had been delivered then checking over both Prada and the foal for strong vital signs. He also gave both the mare and the foal an antibiotic injection just because it wasn't exactly a sterile field when I stuck my arm into her, and he left behind a couple more just in case. After he got a quick rundown of what had happened, I’d gotten another round of thanks when he recognized my quick thinking. It definitely made me feel accomplished to hear him say that he wasn’t sure they would’ve survived had I not been there.
Everyone else had left after the vet arrived, leaving just Jacinta, Josh, and me to deal with him, and now both horses are resting quietly in a clean, fluid-free stall. We handed their care over to Josh who said he’ll move a cot down into the barn tonight and watch them for signs of trouble. Jacinta tried to argue about it, but he insisted. I know it was a long night for her too since she was up and taking care of Declan’s kitten, so I’m glad she gave in without too much back and forth.
Finally, Jacinta and I make our way back to the house. It’s quiet and dark now, the sun having gone down before the vet arrived, and the walk back is filled with slight tension between us. It’s nothing compared to what it had been in the past, but it’s still going to take a while for us to move on from everything. The bottom line is that I’ll take whatever progress we can make at this point, and I’m willing to meet her halfway if it’ll get us to a consistently civil relationship at the least.
We part once we get to the kitchen. I desperately need a shower and hurry to my room to do just that, but as I get there, my door is cracked open again. That’s strange. Princess is still in Declan’s room in the enclosure. Why would my door be open? Slowly, I put a finger against it and push it open.
“Harlow, listen, I just wanted to—” Jacinta calls from behind me, but the state of my room has her words turning to a buzz in my ears.Holy shit.
“Fuck!” Jacinta must be able to see what I’m looking at from behind me. My stomach lodges itself in my throat, and I feel nauseous. My room is trashed. It looks like a herd of rhinos have stampeded through it and massacred a flock of birds at the same time. Red paint and feathers are everywhere, and there isn't a single surface that hasn't been damaged by the knife that is lodged into the wall above where my head would be when I sleep.
A shudder makes its way through my body, and I slump against the doorframe. So much for escaping the stalker. They certainly didn't take the two days off while I was away.
“Yeah, I need you in Harlow's room. Be quick and bring the others. Maybe not Nana and Poppy.” Jacinta’s words start to come back into focus toward what must be the end of her call to someone, and then her hand is on my shoulder. “Come on, Harlow. There’s a room in our wing you can use. I don't think you should be on your own, and there’s nothing that you can do here.”
She’s pulling me away from the doorway as the thudding sound of people running echoes down the hallway. Dad and his sons push past the both of us, but I think I’m still in a little bit of shock. After the high of saving Prada’s foal, this is a huge come down, and it’s all just too much. I wanted to speak to them, to ask how this had happened, but no words can come out.
I feel Jacinta wrap her arms around my shoulders and guide me away from the mess, the contact an unexpected comfort. The angry voices left behind in our wake are definitely in need of some of that.
“I thought you were getting security?” I hear Declan snap at Dad.
“I did! I had them patrolling the grounds, but the company was a bit short-staffed for the last few days, something about having a big client who needed a lot of their men. They’ve been doing the best they can, but there’s a lot of ground to cover until the company can send more men tomorrow.” Dad sounds shaken too, and my numbness gives way to guilt, my body unconsciously hunching down like a wounded animal. Jacinta whispers soothing words to me, but it’s just background noise to the emotions whirling through my mind.
I should go.Run back to Connecticut and stay as far away as I possibly can. I mean, this didn't start until I came here, so it’s got to be someone who’s upset that I’m here. What’s the likelihood they’ll follow me home and terrorize me there? But then I’d be putting the Bostons at risk too. Fuck, I need to find a job somewhere far away from any of the people I love. Give up on my zoo dream and take a spot at some country clinic in some backwater town and hide. I can’t let it go on like this. What if it had been one of the others instead of just my room?
Not paying attention to my surroundings, I jolt in surprise when the bright lights of a bathroom switch on, my mind coming back to the here and now.
“This is your bathroom in this wing. Have a hot shower while I find you something to wear. You’ll feel better after that, I promise,” Jacinta reassures me gently, turning the shower on and checking the temperature. Seemingly happy with it, she nods and turns to me, hands on her hips. There’s a frown on her face, and she’s tapping her foot as she looks at me.There she is!I thought she’d been body snatched by aliens, but Miss Bossy has made a reappearance. I can’t find it in myself to be upset about it; there’s something about this side of her that reminds me of Max, and weirdly, that makes her presence even more comforting. It’s like I’m on autopilot though, because under her gaze, I start stripping off my clothes. Nodding her head, pleased that I’m following her instructions, she disappears, trusting me to do as she commands. The bathroom fills with steam as I discard my soiled clothes onto the floor. All of them can go into the trash; there’s really no saving them now.
Climbing into the hot shower, I slide my back down the cold tiles until I’m sitting on the floor, dropping my head into my hands atop my raised knees. I can’t stop the uncontrollable sobs that escape my mouth, though I don’t think I could even pinpoint why I’m crying. The stalker? My destroyed room? Holden being shot? The vandalized car? I mean, take your fucking pick. All of them, none of them, I have no idea. I’m not sure how long I’ve been crying for, but the door opens before Jacinta steps into the shower, clad in only her underwear. She slides down next to me and wraps her arms around my shoulders, pulling me against her chest. Everything I’m feeling continues to rush to the surface as she rubs my back, holding me without any words passing between us.
This is the first time in my life where anyone has ever done something like this for me. It’s not that Melinda or Chuck or Max wouldn’t have done this, but I think I’ve always tried to present myself as strong, as… unflappable. They knew how deeply my mom hurt me, but I think that part of me felt like I might be letting her win if I broke down and showed them just how far those wounds went. Usually, whenever I get to that desperate point, I find myself sobbing with no comfort at all. It’s not like I make a habit of crying when others are around. For Jacinta to be giving me this level of comfort actually has the sobs subsiding. My breath hitches, a sob or two still escaping, but all the tension leaves my body. Soon it’s just the two of us, me being supported by someone who until recently had resented me with every fiber of her being. It’s funny what extreme circumstances will do to people.
Pulling away, I rest my head on her shoulder. “Thank you.” She grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze of reassurance.
“What you did for me today… It was everything. Prada is my everything. My horses have been there for me throughout the years, loving me unconditionally, wanting nothing more from me than their general care. Today, there was nothing I could do, and I failed them. But you, you were able to give them back to me when I was so close to losing them. Saving her and her foal meant the world to me, and being here for you is the least I can do. Even strong women need to break sometimes, but we always come back better and more resilient than before. We will get this person, Harlow, and when we do, well, let me tell you, they're going to wish they had never fucked with a Summers.”
Holy shit.I look at her with shock, but she pretends not to see it. Honestly, it’s okay. I think there’s probably a limit to how many emotions she’s willing to deal with in a day, especially when they have to do with me. We’ve taken about 1,000 baby steps in the last 72 hours, so I’m fine with giving her some space.
But that doesn’t change the fact that she called me a Summers. Will wonders never cease? I can’t wait to see where we go from here. I’m sure it won’t be fully smooth sailing, but I think the worst is behind us. Or the worst in our relationship anyway. Something tells me the stalker is not going to be happy with the fact that I haven't turned tail and run.
What fresh hell am I going to bring down on us all next?
* * *
Thomas
Surveying the destruction that is Harlow’s room, I run a hand through my hair in frustration, pulling just a little too hard at the strands. The sting makes me grit my teeth, but at least it helps sharpen my focus for the moment. Fuck, how does this keep happening? Not one single part of this room has escaped the stalker’s violence, and they chose the perfect moment to strike. Though who knows if they came here yesterday while Harlow wasn’t home or sometime while we were all out at the stable. This bastard is too sneaky, and I’m getting fed up with being a step behind.
God forbid if they had decided to wander into the other wing after trashing Harlow’s room. Holden’s been here, alone, and they could’ve taken another crack at him. I’m surprised Oli is still standing at this rate; he was panicked by the sight of Harlow’s room, but when the realization hit him that Holden could’ve been in more danger, my brother nearly had a heart attack. He took off upstairs to check on Holden, and I doubt he’s coming back down any time soon.
I take another deep breath and force myself to study her room more closely. Feathers litter all surfaces, most stuck to objects by the red liquid that has been spread across the room. Based on the congealed consistency of the substance, I’m pretty sure it’s not paint, but the police will have to run tests to confirm my suspicions. Dec, Jax, and Kai are still arguing with one another, so my eyes go to Dad. The strain this is taking on him is evident in the worry in his eyes and the creases across his forehead.
