He’s right; the drive isn't long, and although I’m concentrating on the road and where we’re going, I’ve also got so many other things running through my head. The deal with the Blaze twins, Holden, our upcoming trip to Europe, but mostly Harlow and my worry about what the fuck is going on. I’m hoping Tom might have more of an idea by the time we get back. Hopefully, they got ahold of Declan’s PI and he’s made some inroads into Harlow’s mom’s background. I know they were talking about looking into the people around us every day, like drivers, staff at our businesses, and all that, but I feel like this is going to be somehow connected to her instead. Maybe we need to look into Harlow’s friends from college? I’m almost a hundred percent sure that Maxine and her family have nothing to do with the stalker, but what about someone in their friend circle? We really need to sit down and talk this through logically. So far we’ve all been reacting to what’s going on, and no one has even bothered to sit down with Harlow and really talk through it.
When that realization hits, I suddenly feel like we’re all idiots. Yeah, it makes sense that we wanted to go straight to protecting her, but you don’t ignore the most valuable member of any team. Harlow could have the answers even if she doesn’t realize it. I’m sure Tom would already have thought of that if he wasn’t so thrown off by her being here and what she could potentially mean to all of us.
I pull up to the private part of the Honolulu airfield, parking the car in a spare bay. Jaxon helps Harlow out and walks her across to where the plane is ready for takeoff, meeting Chris at the bottom of the stairs. After a quick conversation, they both climb up while Chris jogs over to me.
“Hey, man, can I give you a hand with the luggage?” he says, reaching for Harlow's bag. Once he has it, he starts walking back to the plane with me a step behind, carefully considering the man in front of me. Both Chris and James have been on the island the whole time we have. The person on the jet ski was fully covered in a wetsuit, and he likely would have had enough time to get back here after he hit Harlow. But what would be his motivation?
“Listen, James had a mechanic go over the plane this morning, just to make sure it hadn't been tampered with while we were at the hotel,” Chris says over his shoulder to me. “After Jaxon called us last night, we both got here early this morning to supervise him. Neither of us wants to take any risks with your or our lives. It seems like this stalker can follow you anywhere.”
Chris’ words have a quiet sigh of relief escaping my mouth before I can help it, and I can feel some of the tension drain out of my shoulders. I hadn’t realized I’d prepared myself for a fight until just this moment. So it couldn't have been either of them. Fuck, this is making me think things that I shouldn’t have even considered.
I follow Chris up the stairs and stow our luggage in the right place. “Thanks for that. Let’s get airborne as soon as possible please,” I tell him, slapping him on the shoulder before moving into the cabin and taking a seat. Jaxon already has Harlow settled with a blanket over her lap. I hear Chris close the stairs and feel the cabin pressurize.
“Once we get airborne, take a shower to warm up and get out of your swimsuit, and then you can have a nap,” I say to her as I buckle my seatbelt. We’re sitting in a group of four chairs that are two sets of two facing each other.
“Shall I grab you some clothes out of your bag?” Jaxon asks as the plane starts to taxi out to the runway.
“Yeah, that would be great, thanks.” Harlow is still looking a little pale, but she gives my brother a small smile.
“Are you going to be alright in the shower, or do you need a hand?” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively in the hope it brings a bigger smile to her face. I’m definitely not pressuring her for any real intimacy, though I don’t know if I have the willpower to turn her down if she shows that she’s interested in that.
She chuckles, the slight sound making my own smile more genuine this time. “I’ve got a feeling that the shower isn't going to be big enough for the both of us, but thank you.”
I stop wiggling my eyebrows. “All joking aside, I think it would be better if I at least came in so I could keep an eye on you. We’re not sure if the bump has had an impact. I’ll just come in and stand around to make sure you’re okay. I wouldn't want you slipping while in there.”
Her smile drops as she nods. “Yeah, you have a point. Okay then.”
“Hey, guys, we’re about to take off. Weather looks clear between here and LA. We have a meal prepared which will be served as soon as we get to cruising altitude, and then you can all nap until we get home.”
Jaxon pulls up a phone in the arm of his chair, replying to James. “Yeah, hey, can you give us an hour before serving the meal? We’re all going to take showers and wash off the salt water.” After a quick thanks, he hangs up. We’re all silent as the plane finishes its taxing and the engines rev for takeoff.
“Thank you both so much for this,” Harlow says, suddenly breaking the silence. “Despite the two incidents, I have had an amazing time, and I would love to come back with you one day.”
Jaxon grabs her hands and squeezes it as I lean forward and do the same thing to her knee. “It was our pleasure, believe me, and I can’t wait until the next time we can do this.”
Jaxon echoes my sentiments as the plane starts to hurtle down the runway. Harlow grabs hold of the armrest with her empty hand and clenches hard to Jaxon’s in the other.
“Don’t worry, Harlow. By the time we get back from Europe, you will be an expert at this.”
While I know he’s talking about the flying part, the wary part of my brain, the part that still can’t shut down the niggling worry for Harlow, takes it in a more sinister light, thinking about how many times she’s had to pull herself back together after an attack. Jaxon didn’t hurt her, I know this, but someone else is trying their hardest to put her through everything they can. God, I hope Tom figured something out.
Chapter Two
Harlow
My head is throbbing and my body is a mess of aches and pains both inside and out. My lungs and throat are sore from the small bit of water I swallowed before Kai managed to haul me up, and my body is still aching from the car accident. I’m so disappointed that what had been such an amazing trip was ruined by two separate incidents.
Were we delusional in thinking we could do this without the stalker following us? I mean seriously, what do they want with me? Do they want me to go home? Or do they want me to die? What would anyone benefit from me dying? I have nothing. Mom left nothing behind but a bunch of junk, and I can’t think of anything I might have done to anyone for them to want me dead.
A hand on my arm startles me, and I realize I must have been drifting. I’m still on the plane, with Jaxon’s hand shaking me, and when my eyes meet his, they’re heavy with worry. Such a different look to the one of pure loathing he gave me that day I had first arrived in California. Which had also been super different to the one clouded with lust that very first night in the club. There’s one thing you can say about Jaxon; he’s most certainly not one-dimensional. I’ve got to say I prefer the lust and the worry to the hatred.
“Come on, honey, let’s get you showered and warmed up.” He unclips my belt and helps me to my feet. When we get to the bathroom, Kai is already there with the shower running. “I’ll leave Kai to help you while I grab you something to wear.” He carefully passes me to Kai, and a small smile graces my lips. These two are treating me like I’m made of crystal, and I don't think anyone has ever shown so much care over a few bumps and bruises. I think I need to remind them that I train stunt horses and regularly get banged around. At some point, anyway. Maybe I’ll just enjoy the attention for a little bit first?
“No, Harlow, don't laugh at us. I know you’re tough and strong and whatever, but you almost died on my watch…twice,” Kai scolds as Jaxon closes the door behind him. “It was terrifying, and you’re going to have to excuse us if we’re both a little overprotective for a little while.” He’s quiet for a moment before he mutters something, almost too low for me to clearly make out the words, but it sounds like, “And just wait until the rest of those assholes get their hands on you.”
I’ve still got the towel wrapped around my waist and Jaxon’s hoodie on, so Kai helps me out of both before stripping me of my bikini. He must be concerned because not even my naked body is distracting him from the task of helping me into the shower. A groan leaves my mouth as the hot water hits my cold body, and the sting quickly disappears once I start to warm up. I put my head under the stream of water, letting it cascade down to drown out everything around me. God, that feels good.
A pair of hands on my hips has me jumping slightly before a naked Kai hops in behind me. “Huh, wouldn't have thought there was enough room in here for the two of us.” I chuckle as I step back a bit to let him in, a yelp escaping when my body touches the cold walls.
