“Yes. Sorry. I should have mentioned that.” Harper swayed in her seat.
Dante took another left and drove up a side street. “Should you be out of the hospital? You seem worse than when we picked you up.”
“Car sickness.” She waved off his concern. “I’ll be fine once I stop moving.”
I wanted to believe her, but I’d seen and heard enough lies to be able to spot them a mile away. Harper might not be lying outright, but something about the whole situation poked at me.
Businesses flashed past in the window behind Lila. Harper remained quiet and curled inward as though in pain. She stopped talking and pressed her lips together in a silent signal that she would not answer any more questions.
“Address.” Dante spoke through gritted teeth. “I do not approve of this, but we’ll do as you ask.”
Because we respected her and we never wanted to do anything to hurt her. There were times—like this—when I’d rather say to hell with respect and her wishes and do what I knew was right.
But then we would not be men. We’d be bullies.
Lila rattled off the address and Dante took the next side street.
Alexander and I shared a look full of understanding. He hated the idea of dropping her off as much as I did.
I tried to engage Harper in conversation, but that thin-lipped look remained firm and unyielding.
Dante turned onto an unfamiliar street, and Harper straightened. “Almost there. It’s the blue house on the left.”
Curiosity tempted me to look the house over with a critical eye. “Cute.”
“We like it.” Harper shrugged but the first hint of lightness brightened her eyes. “Thank you for picking us up and bringing us home. I appreciate it.”
“Is that your way of telling us to fuck off?” Dante wheeled into the driveway and put the car in park.
Alexander blew out a sharp breath. “Don’t mind him. He gets cranky when he’s worried.”
“But he’s right.” I joined in after taking note of how Harper’s expression shifted with Dante’s sharpness. “She doesn’t want us to come inside. She doesn’t want to be seen with us.”
“It’s not safe.” Harper fisted her hands in her lap. “You have to understand that. You can’t be seen here. All it would take is one of my neighbors recognizing you or one of those awful reporters to look up my address and you’d be exposed. I don’t have fancy security.”
And just like that, we were dismissed. “Promise us you’re okay.” I leaned into her space.
Lila hadn’t opened her door yet, so Harper remained trapped in the center of the seat. She raised her head and met my gaze. Hers softened, understanding pushing her toward me. “I’m fine. I promise.”
I had no choice but to believe her.
Lila opened the door and climbed out.
Harper went next. She stopped before shutting the door. “Thank you. For everything.”
The moment of hesitation punched me straight in the gut. She closed the door and followed Lila up the short walk to an off white door. Lila unlocked it and stepped aside, nudging Harper in ahead of her.
“There’s nothing else we can do.” Dante twisted his hands around the wheel, causing the leather to creak. “We’ll talk to her later, once she’s recovered.”
No, we wouldn’t. I’d been through enough goodbyes to recognize them too, and that’s exactly what Harper gave us. Maybe she didn’t mean it long-term, but we were done for now.
“Let’s go.” Alexander gripped his door handle in a white-knuckled fist. “She’s right about the paparazzi. They’ll go nuts if they catch us here.”
“We need to put security on this street. It’ll be too easy for them to get her address and come here to harass her. I want it discreet.” Dante backed out of the driveway while checking the mirrors.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and typed out a text. “I’ll take care of it. No one will know they’re around, but my guy will take care of anyone who tries to bother Harper.”
My phone pinged seven seconds after I hit send, the“Consider it done”reply easing some of the strain. “She’s protected.”
