“Oh yes. She needs that caning.”
“And to be pushed past her comfort zones. She needs to know we’re here for her,” Logan said. He stared at Xander. “You’re in?”
Xander huffed out a breath. “For now. I need to make sure she’s on her feet. I’ll stay as long as I can.”
It wasn’t the most optimal news, but Logan would take it for now. He needed Harper to know Xander loved her. And he loved her, and she was completely safe with them both of them.
Xander’s phone beeped. “Fleur is here.” He hit a panel on the wall.
A tall, slim woman, with a halo of curly dark hair, entered the kitchen. “Hello everyone! I hear Harper’s had an adventure.”
“Yes. I just want to make sure she’s okay. I’d appreciate it if you could talk to her until we get her to the psychiatrist?”
“You know I won’t divulge her confidence, Xander.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. She’s with Dr. Redden now,” Xander said.
“I’ll just pop down the hall. Here, Josie sent you all dinner.” Fleur put a paper bag down on the counter.
“You’re the best, Fleur. Thank you.”
The woman nodded and brushed his hands away. Xander’s phone rang again.
“Got to take this,” he said.
Logan sighed, watching Xander pace back and forth in front of the patio doors.
What would it be like, Logan wondered, to have all these people at his beck and call? It would make life easier. He thought of Hana and how money didn’t make her life easier, not really. And Quinn’s wife Simone had grown up with every privilege and found it suffocating.
No, money only helped when it was wielded in a way that didn’t cut off those closest to the wielder, and Xander, Logan realized, did that very well. Both the Montagues were quick to write a cheque and paid their employees generously. It was why he had been able to buy his condo.
It wasn’t just the money, Logan realized, it was the personal connections and the relationships.
“So that was Ares calling to say he was going to stay at Axis Management tonight.”
“How many bedrooms do you have here?”
“Ten, I think?”
Logan whistled. “Good of him to give us privacy, I guess.”
Xander smiled thinly.
Dr. Redden entered the kitchen, nodding at them.
“Is she all right?” asked Logan.
“Not a scratch on her. I left her a script for a sleeping pill if she needs it and anxiety meds if this experience brings back memories. Monitor her, Xander and call me for anything.”“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“Is that the all-clear to beat some sense into that girl?” Logan growled.
“Absolutely,” Xander said.
“Good.” Logan couldn’t wait to get her hands on her. Now that she was safe, he allowed his emotions to roll through him. She could have been seriously hurt or... worse, all because she had lied to them about the audition.
“Xander, call me if you need anything. Harper says she’s fine.” Fleur put her hand on Xander’s chest as she passed. “Go easy on her.”
