“Brad, dear, you are a brilliant businessman but terrible with the ladies. Harlow's mother did a number on you, and much like your sons, you have been afraid to commit to anyone ever since. Not to mention that with your complete lack of social skills, you miss all the cues women throw at you. Cecelia makes herself indispensable so that you need to spend more time with her than most people do with their PAs.” Nana sighs like she doesn't want to hurt Dad’s feelings. “And since the subject has been broached, as an employee, she makes herself entirely too comfortable out here, and her having access to the security codes and access codes for hereandall the businesses makes me nervous.”
“Do you really think so?” Dad asks, a stunned expression on his face.
“No one in the past has had as much access as she has. Frankly, I’m not even sure you realize how much you have given her. Thankfully, you still require that you must sign everything so she can’t approve anything in your place,” Poppy expresses, folding his newspaper and putting it on the table next to his plate.
“She’s like the sphinx guarding your inner sanctuary. You may have noticed we don't stop by without warning anymore?” Jaxon grumbles, and Dad nods his head. “She told us we needed to have an appointment to see you or we weren’t going to be allowed through the office door.” Dad’s eyes widen, and the faintest flush starts to appear on his cheeks. His eyes dart quickly around the table, though I’m not sure if he’s inspecting everyone’s expressions or just so embarrassed that he can’t decide who’s safest to make eye contact with.
“Did you know I sent you an invite to my latest showing at Paris Fashion Week?” Jacinta asks quietly, looking down at her plate. This time, he furiously shakes his head, the splotches on his cheeks growing darker.
“No, I just thought you were too busy to sit with me. Why didn't I get it…” His voice trails off as he puts two and two together.
I wonder if I should tell him about when she threatened me but decide from the look on his face that he doesn't need anything else added to his disappointment.
It’s quiet as we watch Dad think about everything Nana and Poppy have said. “Why haven't either of you ever said anything?” He sounds hurt, and Nana and Poppy exchange carefully guarded glances.
“Neither of us had really thought about it in the past, but with this stalker we have been looking very closely at the people that can come and go so freely on our property, and the current situation has brought to our attention that maybe extras shouldn’t have access to everything.”
“You’re not suggesting that Cecelia is responsible for stalking Harlow?” Dad practically gasps, looking surprised and concerned. I’m not even sure how I feel about the suggestion. Do I think she likes competition for Dad’s attention? Fuck no. Am I willing to believe that she’d go so far as toshootone of Dad’s kids to get more spotlight for herself? I have no idea, but I hope not. She’d have to be seriously deranged to think she could get away with that once the family had their full resources dedicated to finding the perpetrator. I just don’t understand how it would benefit her in the long run.
“No, not at all, but this has got us all very worried, and I don't think it would be a bad idea to restrict access to just the family for now. I’ve spoken to Chuck, and we’re going to ship all the horses to him for the time being.”
Oh fuck, Chuck knows?Poppy must hear my gasp because he reaches out and pats my hand. “He and Melinda are expecting a phone call first thing this morning. I’m sorry, but I couldn't hide it from him.”
I nod, my heart thundering at the thought of that upcoming conversation. I had planned to call them anyway since Max and I had our talk, but I’ve just found myself a bit overwhelmed with the Prada emergency and then getting wrapped up in Oli and Holden.
“Josh is going to go with them, so that will be one less thing we need to worry about.”
“What about Prada and Coco?” Jacinta asks, looking worried. “Are they alright to travel?”
Everyone turns to look at me. Oh, how the tables have turned. “Well, to be honest, no. Coco isn't steady on his feet yet. If it was a short journey, I’d probably okay it, but it’s cross country and on a plane. I think it would be better if they stayed behind. I’m sure between all of us, we can manage. I'll check him over before we leave, and you just need to remember to give him his antibiotic injections.” Everyone quickly agrees to help, trusting my word, and a bit of pride swells in my chest. It feels nice to be valued, to be recognized as capable and have my opinion respected. This is what I’ve been waiting for.
Poppy adds, “I’ve asked Gretchen to take some vacation time, and she’s heading back to Germany to visit her sister for a little while, and the two housekeepers are taking paid leave. That leaves it so the only people who should be on the estate are us.”
“I need you to allow Hope access too, please,” Holden demands, albeit politely, a stubborn set to his jaw. “She needs to update me on things I’ve missed over the last few days. She's been acting as vice-president of Neighpalm Records while I’ve been gone, and I think we’ve known her long enough that we don’t doubt she’s trustworthy.”
“I don't know why you haven’t just made it permanent,” Oliver mutters around a piece of toast. “The girl knows just as much about it as you do.”
Holden grumbles, “Because she won’t let me. She likes being in charge of the PR department and says it keeps her busy. She’s agreed to consider being my VP once she decides she wants to slow down a bit.”
“She needs a partner,” Nana declares, turning to Poppy. “Add Hope to our list of people to fix up, please.” Her grandchildren all chuckle as Poppy rolls his eyes.
“Yes, dear.”
“Of course, I will let the guards at the front gate know,” Dad assures him. “I’ve also got someone coming in to check out the surveillance security. Try to make it more difficult for someone to hack into our system. No damn point in having security cameras when someone can wipe the drive.”
“Anyway, back to Cecelia,” Nana says, bringing the conversation around. “No more coming out here with documents, no more using her as an escort for functions, anddefinitelyno more sleepovers. We will clear out her room and have her belongings returned to her. Just inform her that these restrictions will be in place until further notice as a matter of security. If she doesn't like it, well, then I'm sure she will find herself another position. But somehow I doubt it.”
And like the matriarch she is, Nana has just laid down the law. Poppy nods his head in full agreement with Nana, and Dad just looks resigned, if not a little concerned. His brow is creased, and he’s biting his lip in what looks like a nervous habit.Why would he be worried?Before I can ask him, Poppy takes over.
“Now, one last thing. Our annual Neighpalm Charity Ball is coming soon. It was supposed to be a masquerade this year, but due to the circumstances, I think we should scrap that. Usually, we would have it here, but with the security risk I suggest we also have a change of venue. It will be held at the ballroom at the Neighpalm Hotel in downtown LA, and the guest list will be thoroughly vetted before invitations are sent. I’m pretty sure whatever is going on is personal and not business-related, so I'm relatively confident it will be fine, but we’re better playing it safe,” Poppy decides, and the children groan just like... children. I snort, but Kai narrows his eyes at me.
“No, Harlow, don’t laugh. Just wait, you’ll find out what it’s like to be propositioned by the people you’d least expect. The wealthy are bored and vicious, and they like to play. And dude, some of the things they’ll say and offer are fucked up.” Kai shudders, and all of his brothers follow suit. Even Jacinta looks slightly pale.
“You will all be required to attend. Preferably with dates, but if you can't find one, I will find one for you,” Nana informs them... and me? We’re all currently receiving a cringeworthy staredown, and I’m mentally running through the list of every man I’ve ever talked to in case it’ll get me out of ever being faced with that look again.
“Dibs on Harlow!” Declan calls out.
“What the fuck!”
