She’s across the room within a second, throwing her arms around my neck. “Thank god you’re safe.”
Out of habit, I stroke Harper’s hair to calm her, until I catch my brother glaring at the affection in my touch. “Of course I’m safe. Harp, what’s going on?”
“Paul Ferguson.” My stomach drops at the mention of that name. Harper’s face is buried against my neck, her words fast and panicked. “You were right, Tyler. All these years, you’ve been worried someone would discover the truth, and they have. Paul’s brother knows. He held me and Felix at gunpoint tonight. He wants revenge—to kill Felix and everyone he cares about.”
I pull back from the hug, my mind in chaos as I hold Harper by the shoulders, scanning her for injuries. I should be concerned someone has discovered the murder we covered up. This fear has been eating away at me my entire adult life. But all I care about in this moment is Harper’s safety.
“You were held at gunpoint? Fuck, baby, are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
She blushes. I shouldn’t be so affectionate with her, nor should I be acting so protective, but the behavior is instinctual. There’s no ignoring our intimate past. I’llalwayslove her.
“He didn’t hurt me,” she says. “I’ve just been so worried that he already got to you.”
I draw Harper back into my arms and kiss her forehead. She doesn’t shy away. She holds me closer, whispering how scared she is for my life and that she doesn’t want to let me out of her arms.
Felix steps up to us, the muscles in his throat clenching from how much he despises the sight of me holding his girlfriend. He can’t erase the connection Harper and I share, no matter how hard he tries, and that’s what pisses him off.
I don’t give a shit if he has an issue with the way Harper and I are holding each other. Harper’s life was threatened and I’m not backing off because he’s too stubborn to accept she loves both of us.
“Harper,” he speaks firmly, though I can tell his frustration is directed at me. “I need a moment alone with Tyler.”
She nods, reluctantly letting me go. “Dan and Ally are here somewhere. I’ll go find them. Tyler, don’t leave without saying goodbye to me.”
“I won’t.” I watch her exit the living room. Once she’s gone, I’m stern with Felix. “We need to hire security for Harper?—”
“There is nowe.” He speaks over me.
“Can you put our issues aside for one fucking second. If this man is coming after everyone you care about, what security measures are in place for Harper?”
“It’s handled.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Harper isn’t yours to protect. The only reason you were called here tonight was to be warned about Paul’sbrother—Mitchel Gregor. I’m hiring security for the family, including you.”
I laugh with bitterness. “Why? You wouldn’t give a shit if I die.”
Felix sighs, his tone shifting from frustration to boredom. “Harper cares about you. I’ll protect you for her sake.”
“I don’t want your pity. Send your security away. Redirect it to Harper.”
“Don’t be stupid. Accept the help.”
“I’m at no risk.” I step back from the conversation, ready to seek out Harper. “If this Mitchel Gregor person has dug into your past, he’ll know all about you and that you value my life no higher than a maggot’s. Stop wasting your time being angry with me and instead focus on protecting our girlfr?—”
I cut myself off.
Felix glares at me. “Ourgirlfriend?”
“Fuck, Felix. Yes.Ours. Harper isoursand you know it.”
I feel his eyes burning into my back as I walk away, forcing an end to our conversation. “Youarea maggot, Tyler. You’re lucky Harper cares about you. Otherwise, I’d be leading Gregor to you myself.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
FELIX
Security is manning the entrance to Harper’s and my penthouse. They’ve stood watch the last three days, since Gregor’s threat. I’ve ordered them to shadow Harper everywhere she goes. I escort her too, following her each day to rehearsals and the theater.
