But I’m still trying to take it all in. For months I’ve been so afraid of this stalker I could barely sleep. But all this time, the danger was right there with me, pretending to keep me safe.
“Why would you do that to me, Tony? Why would you scare me like that?”
“I didn’t want to scare you.” His voice is muffled, but I can still hear a note of sadness. “But there wasn’t any other way.”
He twists his body like he’s trying to face me, but Chase forces him back down.
“You told management you wanted to fire me. But I had to keep you safe. This was the only way”—he cranes his neck to look up at me—“that I could still be with you.”
I reel back.
“I can still take care of you, Harper, if you just come back with me. Everything can be like it was.”
I’m shaking my head. “No. No it can’t.” My voice is firm. Nothing is going to be like it was anymore. Everything has changed.
I’vechanged.
“Grab my phone,” Chase says gruffly, his expression serious as he shifts to keep Tony pinned to the ground, and I run to grab it for him.
He places two calls: one to the police and one to his boss. When the cops finally handcuff Tony and take him away, I see the first flash of real emotion again in Chase’s eyes when he wraps me up in his arms, holding me close.
“Are you all right?” he whispers, rocking me gently.
I nod against him. “Yes, I’m OK.”
But I’m not. Not really. My heart is breaking.
“It’s all over now,” he says gently, but my chest tightens at his words, tears welling in my eyes. I know he’s talking about Tony and the threats, but he might just as well be talking about us.
Reminding me it’s over. That we’re ending.
“I know,” I whisper, turning away so he doesn’t see me cry.
Chapter 14
Chase
The front door at the safe house is toast, so we decide to relocate to Harper’s rental for the night now that the danger’s passed.
She’s quiet on the way over, avoiding my eyes. I can tell she’s feeling emotional. Maybe I am too, because all across town, the only thing I can think about is how I’m losing her.
I keep flashing back to the moment Tony pulled his weapon. I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to protect her—that my feelings had interfered with my ability to keep her safe.
But when I saw her face—how frightened she was—I snapped into combat mode. My mental focus was sharper than ever, my body running on pure muscle memory. Every movement precise and controlled until the police had him in custody and I finally felt that wave of relief crashing through me like a freight train. Knowing she was safe. That my feelings didn’t make me weak in that moment when she needed me most.
Instead, they made me stronger.
We reach the house, and I follow her upstairs. But at the bedroom door, I hesitate. I don’t want to hurt her any worse than I already have, but I can’t bear the thought of sleeping in the next room when she’s right here. When I can still touch her.
She turns to face me, her eyes studying mine.
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted me here?—”
“Yes.” She gives me the smallest grin, and there’s a sadness in her eyes. But she tips her head to motion me inside, and I follow.
I undress to my briefs. When she steps into the bathroom, I realize how late it is. I grab my phone to send Lexie a quick text, hoping she’s not crushed after being stood up by our dad.
ME: Hey, are you all right? I meant to text earlier, but something came up.
