“Who would do this?”Reed asked.
Harmony shook her head.“I don’t know, but I can’t help but think it’s whoever has been after me.”
“Which makes them more suspicious.If they left you alone, you’d go on with your life.They keep fucking with you.Why?”
Harmony snorted.“I sure wish I knew.I’m sick of looking over my shoulder and not being able to do anything without a shadow.”
Reed glanced over at Damien.“If you’re going to have a shadow, he appears to be an attentive one.”
Harmony looked back and saw Damien watching her.His eyes softened when she met his gaze, but every inch of him was on full alert.She could fall for him if she wasn’t careful.
“I’ve never seen a look like that on you before.I guess he’s not the only one in free-fall,” Reed said, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m not…” Harmony tried to argue, knowing it was pointless by the smirk on Reed’s face.“Fine, but he’s protecting me.It’s a job.”
Reed snorted.“I’ve known plenty of people with security for one reason or another.That look is not one of solely professional interest.”
Harmony’s cheeks heated.
“I know we’re not close, but I respect you, Harmony.A lot.I don’t think I’d have had the guts to go back to school after being away from it for so long.I know I’m lucky to have the financial support I have.I’ve never been more aware of that until I met you, though.You work your ass off to be the best one here.It’s nice to see you enjoying life, too.When you’re not in danger.”He shivered.“Holy shit, he pulled a gun on me.”
“I’m so sorry.I didn’t even know he had one until today.I guess I should have figured that out, but…”
“It’s okay.I’m happy he was here.Even though it was pretty fucking terrifying to have a gun pointed at me, if I’d been whoever did this…” Reed trailed off and looked around the destroyed lab, letting it speak for itself.
“I still can’t believe this happened,” Harmony said.
Reed nodded, taking a deep breath.“Same.Thankfully, all of our work can be redone.If there’s a silver lining, it’s definitely that no one was here, and no one was hurt.”
“You’re right,” Harmony said, relieved to know Reed was on her side.They’d never been friends, but his support meant a lot.
“I just hope they find some answers.It would be nice to know who would do something like this.”Reed nudged her and nodded toward Damien as he hung up the phone.
Harmony struggled not to grin as Damien stalked toward her.He stopped a foot away.“You both okay?”
Reed straightened his spine and nodded.“I’m better than she is.Definitely uneasy, but Harmony hasn’t stopped shaking.”
Damien focused all of his attention on her.
Harmony saw Reed back away, giving them as much privacy as possible when they were all in the same space.
“I’m so fucking sorry about this,” Damien whispered.He hauled her against him, one hand around the back of her neck and the other low on her back.“I hate that you’re going through this.”
Harmony nodded.“Thank you for being here.”She knew she wouldn’t have survived all the crazy shit she’d been through if he wasn’t there for her.If he hadn’t shown up as many times as he had.
Voices in the hall drifted to them, pulling Damien away from her.When Doctor Griffiths appeared with campus police right behind him, Harmony knew she was in for another long day answering questions.
“You really stepped in it,didn’t you?”Adam Johnson asked Damien.Adam and his partner, Lorelei, were local FBI agents Rose Protection Agency had worked with a few times in the past.They both relocated to Niagara Falls in the last few years when they came to help Adam’s cousin with a case, then fell in love with their respective spouses and never looked back.
Damien shook his head.“I’m just glad you and Lorelei were available.Harmony’s boss is not a fan of mine.”
Adam glanced at Doctor Griffiths.“Any chance he’s involved in all this?”
Damien looked at the professor and dismissed the idea.“I can’t imagine he would be.Harmony said he’s friends with Reed’s parents and favors Reed.I think all this is more of an inconvenience and frustration for him.But I’ve never gotten the feeling he’s involved.”
“Have you looked into him?”
“I have not,” Damien admitted.
