Bran sat forward. “He’s a little more than just unhappy.”
Zach’s hand tightened on the handle of his cup. “Last night Winston called a couple of his thugs into the study and told them he wanted them to deliver a message. He wants you out of Harper’s life.”
“He’s sending his goons after you, Chase,” Bran said. “Winston won’t be satisfied until they pound you into the dirt. They mean to convince you to leave Harper alone.”
“Christ.”
“We can put a tail on you,” Tanner said. “Give you some protection.”
Chase shook his head. “I can handle Winston’s goons. Security is what I do for a living, remember?”
“Plus you’ll have me bird-dogging you,” Bran drawled. “Personal protection is whatIdo for a living—remember?”
Chase grunted.
“You need to end this thing with Harper before it goes any further,” Tanner said.
“No,” Chase said flatly. “I’m not letting Knox Winston run my life.”
“What about Harper?” Bran asked softly. “You don’t want her getting caught up in this any more than she is already. If you’re with her, she could get hurt.”
Chase had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Bran was right. He never should have gotten Harper involved in the first place. But God, he didn’t want to let her go.
“Now that the DEA’s got a bug in his study,” Bran continued, “they can get what they need to bring Winston down. Once he’s cooling his ass in jail, he won’t give a fuck who his daughter sleeps with.”
Chase clenched his jaw. He was trying to think, running over his options, when a sound caught his attention. Dressed and ready to leave, Harper stood in the doorway, her face pale as glass.
“So that’s what this was all about. You’re using me to get information on my father. I can’t believe it. Your birthday gift was just a way to plant some kind of listening device in his study.”
“We need to talk, Harper,” Chase said. “This isn’t the way it seems.”
The DEA agent rose from his barstool. “I’m Special Agent Zach Tanner, Ms. Winston. I need to inform you the Drug Enforcement Administration had a warrant for the placement of that device. If you inform your father of its existence, you’ll be interfering in a criminal investigation. You could very well end up in jail.”
Her gaze zeroed in on Zach. “You’re DEA? You...you think my father is involved in drugs?”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss the case,” Tanner said.
Chase crossed the room and took Harper’s hand. It was cold as ice, he noticed, the instant before she jerked it away.
“What’s going on between us has nothing to do with this,” Chase said.
Harper just shook her head. Tears welled in her big blue eyes and slipped down her cheeks. “I was falling in love with you, Chase. How stupid is that?” She turned to leave but Chase caught her arm.
“Harper, please—one thing has nothing to do with the other. Give me a chance to explain.”
She just shook her head and wiped tears from her cheeks. “I trusted you. I guess my father was right about you all along.” She turned to leave, but Bran moved to block her way.
“Before you go, Harper, you need to know that last night your father ordered a brutal attack on Chase to stop him from seeing you. His men won’t quit till they find a way to get to him. I know my brother well enough to know his feelings for you are real. He doesn’t deserve a beating—or worse.”
She looked at Chase, wetness glistening on her cheeks. Her chin went up. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll talk to my father, tell him we’re through. It’ll be my great pleasure to do so. Goodbye, Chase.”
“Remember what I said, Ms. Winston,” Zach called out. “You need to tread very carefully.”
Bran caught her arm. “If your father finds out about the bug in his study, he’ll know Chase put it there. There’s a very good chance my brother will end up dead.”
Harper looked at Chase, emotion clouding her features. Bran cast her a sympathetic glance and stepped out of her way, and Harper walked out of the kitchen. The front door slammed hard enough to rattle the cups on the kitchen counter.
Chase felt sick to his stomach.
