“Fuck you, man,” Oliver growls, but despite the anger permeating the rest of the room, Nana just shakes her head.
“Wow, Thomas, I cannot believe you just said that.” Her disappointment stings more than anything else, and I drop my head into my hands and rub my face again, trying to clear the feeling of utter weariness that has just swamped me.
“Fuck, I’m sorry. That wasn't fair of me. I haven't been getting any sleep, and I’m afraid my filter may be broken.”
“You think?” Sarcasm from Holden is nothing new, but there’s also a layer of scorn that my brother doesn’t usually direct toward me.
“Maybe we need to find someone else to be Harlow's bodyguard if you’re so run down. You surely can’t protect her if you aren't at your best,” Nana muses, her eyes narrowing in concern.
“No!” I jump out of my chair, the damn thing dramatically falling back behind me. “No. It’s okay. I’ll do better and get some sleep this weekend. I’ve been burning the midnight oil with these background checks, but they're all done now. We don't have anything else planned at this stage, so I will be fine once Monday comes around again.” My chest is heaving after all of that rushes out, and the concerned gleam in Nana’s eye changes to something else. A small smile graces her lips before she nods in assent. Damn that woman’s perception.
She stands up. “Fine, but I think you owe the others an apology. What you said was incredibly hurtful, and I know that’s not the real you. I was coming to tell you that the helicopter is ready, and everyone will be finished for the day in about twenty minutes. Have a good night, and we will see you when we get home tomorrow.” With that, she kisses Harlow on the cheek, whispering something just for her ears, then waves to the rest of us before she takes her leave.
The tension in the room returns as Oliver reaches out and grabs Harlow's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. Another sigh leaves my mouth. “Fuck, I’m sorry. Really, I’m happy for you all and hope things work out. Just ignore my tired, grumpy ass.”
“Yeah, well, how about you think before you open your fucking mouth?” Holden growls at me as he helps Harlow out of her chair and leads her to the door.
Oliver stands but doesn’t follow them. As the door closes behind the other two, he looks at me. “Tom, you know I love you, but if you don't get your head out of your ass and see what is directly in front of you, you are going to make a big mistake, one you're going to regret for the rest of your life. Stop choosing misery over the possibility of happiness. Even at the chance that something goes wrong. That’s no way to live a life.” My normally fun-loving brother is completely serious for a change, and it’s hard not to pay attention. “At least open your mind to the possibility. You're going to be spending a lot of time in Harlow’s pocket since she’s not happy while confined to the house. Take the time to get to know her because once you do, you're going to realize she’s nothing like that vapid viper that you were engaged to. In fact, they couldn't be any more polar opposites. You need something to live for besides this path for revenge. I understand why you set off on that road when everything first went down, but it’s time to walk along a different one.” Oliver walks toward the door and pulls it open. “I miss you, my brother. Please come back to us. Give up the agency before you lose any more of your soul than you already have.”
I lean both hands against my desk as my head drops in disappointment. God, I’m such an asshole. That broken look on Harlow's face was exactly the way she looked the day Jacinta unveiled her billboard. How could I have stooped so low? Vowing to do better, I’ll take some of Oliver’s advice and at least make an effort to get to know her. Especially since she does seem to be happy with my brothers, and what’s more important is that they seem to be happy sharing her. Even Declan and Jaxon, who haven’t been around much this week, seem happy with the situation.
Pushing off the desk, I’m bending down to pick up my chair when I spy something just in the footwell. Setting the chair right, I lean down and pick it up, mouth dropping open in surprise when I realize what it is. Hanging off my finger is a pair of damp pink lace panties. Now, I know they weren't there before, so that can only mean one thing. Holden dropped them there, and Harlow was sitting in my office with no underwear on. No wonder he had that mischievous look on his face when he was leaning on my desk.
Unable to control myself, I rub them between two fingers, feeling the slickness left behind on them. It’s all I can do to not bring them to my nose and breathe deeply. Fucking Holden! Blood rushes to my dick at the thought of Harlow spread out over my desk, but I adjust myself, willing those thoughts away. Fuck.
I shove them deep into my jacket pocket despite the fact that he’s going to know I kept them if I don't return them to him or Harlow; I don't want to embarrass her. Not that I think it would, otherwise she wouldn't have let him take them in the first place. But I bet she didn't realize he was going to taunt me with them.
I make the decision just in time, too, because seconds after I pocket them, Dad walks in. Like the others, he doesn't bother knocking, and the serious look on his face has me on red alert.
“What’s going on, Dad?” He doesn't sit; instead, he paces back and forth with a restless, frustrated energy that’s not usually like him.
“Those assholes at NW European Airlines have decided to shop around for a buyer,” he growls.
“Shit! We knew it was a possibility when we had to push back the merger for Harlow's sake, but I was hoping that wouldn’t be the case.” He scrubs a hand through his short blond hair. Poor Dad. As thrilled as he is to have Harlow in our lives, the threat of the stalker is taking its toll even though he hides it well.
“Yes, well, now we need to ‘woo’ them. They’re holding a dinner in Prague next weekend, and if we aren’t there, we’ll lose our opportunity. I want this, Tom. We need a win.” Dad stops his pacing and looks at me imploringly.
“Okay, okay. Let James and Chris know to have the big plane ready. We’ll leave on Wednesday, which will give us all plenty of time to get packed and ready. We’ll drop Harlow and the rest at my house in Ireland before continuing on to the Czech Republic. Nobody knows I own it, and with one way in or out, it’s practically a fortress, so they should be safe there. Don't worry, Dad. We've got this.”
His eyes become sympathetic, and I brace myself for what he has to say. No one ever gives me good news when that look is in their eyes. “Listen, Tom, I think it would be better for Harlow to attend with us.”
“Why?”
“Because the company we’re competing against is RAE.” Fuck, it feels like a lead block just landed in my heart. Russian Avionics Executive is the company that Clarissa took our plans to. It’s a Russian-based aeronautical company, and the CEO is a slimy bastard who we were never able to catch because he had some kind of diplomatic immunity. I’m not sure if I will be able to stop myself from punching the smug asshole in the face.
“Think about it. Harlow can be your emotional protection while you continue to protect her.”
“I don't need ‘emotional’ protection,” I sneer, unable to keep my disdain from my voice. It’s a sensitive topic for me, and sometimes I lash out as a reflex. Being aware of it doesn’t make me any better able to fight the knee-jerk reaction. I shake my head and try for a gentler tone. “And even if I did, why would I use Harlow?”
“Well, the only other female would be Jacinta, and attending with her won’t show you've moved on. That Clarissa’s betrayal didn't affect you. He’ll think he’s won if he sees how badly it hurt you.” I mull over his words, starting to see he has a point, especially from a business perspective. “Think about it. I’m heading upstairs to the helicopter. Don’t be long.”
Dad leaves, and as soon as the door closes behind him, I pick up a letter opener and throw it. Despite the sense in his idea, I’m still more riled up than I’d like to admit. “Fuck!” The knife lodges in the door and shudders back and forward. What I wouldn't have given for that to be Urie Sokolov’s heart. God, I can just imagine his gloating smile if he wins this contract. I’d probably shoot him between the eyes. Having Harlow there as a buffer might not be a bad idea. Though I think I’ll ask everyone how they feel about it. I don't want to put my brothers’ girlfriend through any of that if they don't approve of it.
Just as I’m turning my computer off, my door opens, with Declan peering around the corner, looking between me and the letter opener lodged in the door. “Thank fuck Dad told me to give you a minute. When I didn’t hear any destruction, I thought it would be safe.” He steps out from the safety of the door and yanks the offending weapon out of the hardwood. “Come on, you look like you could do with a beer.”
He places it on the bookshelf not far from the door and waves me forward with no questions asked. It’s one of the things I love most about Declan. He doesn’t push. I mean, he will eventually, but he’ll give me a chance to get my head straight first, and for that I’m grateful. Grabbing my jacket from the back of my chair, I put it on over my gun holster and follow my brother to the elevator.
Chapter Fifteen
