He suddenly stopped, like he realized he'd said something he shouldn't have.
"Speak," I said through clenched teeth.
"Mr. Dante said... he doesn't need that child." Marcus practically screamed it out. "He said after he takes the woman away, he'll have me arrange an accident, make the child... make the child disappear."
My brain exploded.
He wanted to killmy child.
Murderous rage surged through me, nearly breaking through the last barrier of reason. I wanted to storm Julian's place right now, tear him limb from limb, make him pay in blood for his arrogance.
I had to let Harper know the truth.
"When is Julian planning to take them?" I asked, voice ragged.
"Day—day after tomorrow..." Marcus trembled. "Mr. Dante said, day after tomorrow, he'll take the woman and child out of San Francisco, somewhere no one can find them..."
Day after tomorrow.
Two days left.
Two days to fix everything.
The next afternoon,I showed up at the nursing home entrance.
This was Harper's last day at work. Tomorrow she'd leave this city with Julian, go somewhere "safer." And my child might not even see tomorrow's sunrise.
I couldn't let that happen.
No matter what.
I leaned against the car and lit a cigarette. Winter wind cut like knives, whipping my coat. I inhaled deeply. The nicotine's bitterness filled my lungs but couldn't settle the restlessness inside me.
Six o'clock sharp, the nursing home doors opened.
Harper walked out, holding a thermos. She wore a light blue nurse's uniform, radiating a kind of composed, confident beauty.
She'd changed so much. Become more... radiant.
But I noticed the faint shadows under her eyes.
She hadn't slept well. My heart clenched.
She looked up and saw me. Those eyes that used to shine when they looked at me now held only coldness and wariness. Her face turned icy instantly, like frost had covered it. She turned away, quickening her pace, clearly trying to avoid me.
"Harper!" I strode after her and grabbed her wrist.
"Let go," she said, voice cold as ice.
"Harper, listen to me—"
"I said let go!" She wrenched her hand free, spun around glaring at me. Her eyes burned with anger and disappointment, like they'd burn right through me. "What more do you want? Haven't you hurt enough people? That nurse is still in the hospital! How do you have the nerve to show your face?"
"That wasn't me. I'm here to talk to you about that—"
"Kirill Orlov," she cut me off, voice trembling but firm. "We have nothing to talk about. You've done every rotten thing you could. The only thing left is for you to stay away from me. Never show your face again."
Harper turned to leave.
