Gregor walked free. I’m trembling, fearful of his death threat. Yet… high with adrenaline from stabbing him. I’m reminded of the times I was a kid and so overcome with jealousy that I resorted to violence, making girls bleed because they showed too much interest in Felix and Tyler. I felt shamed over those encounters. Right now, I’m exhilarated. Powerful.
My panties are wet with arousal.
I’ve been wild before but never to this extent. My hands are stained with Gregor’s blood. I don’t care to wash it off. Plunging that knife into his flesh was thrilling. I’m just sorry I didn’t stab him in the heart.
Theo is shocked by Felix’s announcement for a split second before his eyes narrow into slits. He’s quiet, rubbing a hand over his mouth while contemplating. “Beaumont recommended Gregor. That’s no coincidence. This is a setup.”
“It gets worse,” Felix says. “Gregor isn’t just a cop, he’s Paul Ferguson’s brother.”
“Shit.”
“The man is fucking insane and was laughing when Harper stabbed him. He somehow knows I killed his brother and wants to get even.”
Theo’s attention flicks to me, only now noticing the blood on my hands. He’s impressed and laughs with a huff of surprise. “Youstabbed him?”
“In the hand.” I nod, too stunned by my outburst to say much more.
Felix clutches the edge of his desk, his knuckles turning white. “It isn’t Gregor’s mission to see me behind bars. The man wants blood. He’s spent years digging for the truth about Paul’s death. There are no stakes for him. He’s not living by the law. He wants the revenge of seeing me and my family dead.”
“That’s not happening,” Theo says with confidence. “Beaumont set you up for failure, but why? What stakes does he have in all this?”
“I don’t know. We ran background checks on Gregor. How could he have slipped through the cracks? He must be using an alias. The Ferguson name isn’t attached to him.”
I have a vague memory of Paul mentioning he had an older brother living overseas, but it was a brief topic of conversation. I didn’t ask anything about the brother, not even his name. I didn’t enquire about what the brother was doing abroad.
The truth is, I never paid much attention to Paul andthe things we spoke about. I never liked him, was even creeped out by him, and interacted with him the bare minimum to please my father.
In the last eight years, I’ve barely spared the Fergusons a thought. I’ve never been fearful Paul’s death would be investigated. When I heard his parents died last year, I felt even more confident we were all in the clear.
Tyler has always been concerned that the past would be dug up.
My god.Tyler.
A horrific vision flashes to mind of Tyler dead at the hands of Gregor. I clutch my heart, panicked, out of my mind over his safety. Tyler.MyTyler. Dead. My chest burns with dread.
“Tyler!” I shout over Felix and Theo’s discussion. “We have to warn him about Gregor immediately. I’lldieif anything happens to him.”
“Tyler will be fine,” Felix reassures me.
“You don’t know that.” I pace the office. My hands jitter with panic.
Felix grabs my shoulders, bringing me to a stop. “Look at me, Harper.Nothingwill happen to Tyler. I promise you.”
“We need to warn him and the family.”
“We will.” He wraps an arm around my waist, fastening me to his side, then shoots orders at Theo. “Find Beaumont. Use whatever means necessary to learn everything he knows about Gregor. Then kill Beaumont for thinking he can fuck with me. In the meantime, I’mnot letting Harper out of my sight now that there’s a threat on her life. We’re upping the security on this building. I’m hiring protection for my family. Harper will have bodyguards. That piece of shit is not getting anywhere near her.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
FELIX
I’m at my father’s place on the Upper East Side at three in the morning. My family is questioning why this emergency meeting can’t wait until daylight hours. Though, I doubt Dad and Amabella have slept, given the scandal my relationship with Harper has brought upon Forever Families. They’re still dressed from the day.
With Harper’s hand in mine, I gaze out the living room window at the city lights, contemplating how to explain the sudden danger thrust upon everyone’s lives. I’m confident I can keep my family safe, but there’s guilt within me. All of them live regular lives. They thinkIlive a regular life. None of them should have to deal with the mistakes from my past.
Dad clears his throat, speaking first. “If this is about your relationship with Harper?—”
“This isn’t about me and Harper.”
