I nod. And for the first time since I landed back in Arizona, I actually believe it.
I follow Hunter into the dining room. Ace's hand finds the small of my back again.
And I let it stay because it’s the only thing that gives me safety.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Ace
I know Hunter said this ain't a formal meeting, but Harper is the only woman at the table, surrounded by three Sterling brothers.
And my brothers know how much she hurt me. They're not showing it, but the wariness is there. In the way Colten watches her without blinking. In the way Hunter keeps his arms crossed.
These men don't trust easy. They don't trust at all, most of the time.
But they knew the Harper I fell in love with. She was always here with us. Her parents and ours were good friends. Sunday dinners. Barbecues. Christmas mornings where she'd show up in her pajamas and my mom would make her a plate before she'd even sat down.
Harper has no reason to betray us. No reason to lie.
I know it in my gut.
Hunter clears his throat, glancing between the two of us. Her leg is bouncing so hard the table's vibrating. I place my hand over her thigh, pressing gently. Reminding her I'm here, and that it is okay. Fuck, I always want her under my hand.
"Harper, I'm just going to let you talk. Tell me everything." Hunter leans back. "Start from before. I know you were investigating the murder of Ashley. I know you helped Lola get to me when I was locked up, so thank you."
My eyes go wide. You don't often hear Hunter Sterling thanking anybody.
Harper smiles softly.
"Okay. Well." She presses her palms flat on the table. "I don't know where to start."
I lean in. "Just take a breath, baby. We ain't here to examine you. We just want to help."
She nods. Takes the breath and her leg stops shaking under my palm.
"I'm a criminal journalist for a company called LA Press. The murder of Ashley was submitted to our tip line. I caught wind of it because they mentioned Red Creek, so I pretty much begged my boss, a guy named Hudson Blake, to let me have the case." She pauses. "I was trying to find the real killers. Some kind of story to spin it away from you."
My heart races. Even Colten raises an eyebrow. That's as close to shocked as Colten gets.
She's been protecting Hunter since before any of us knew she was here.
Harper taps the table with her nail. "I gave Hudson the most boring possible story. One he would never dream of publishing. Because everything was so covered up, it was easy. I thought I made it so boring he’d never be interested in New Falls again."
Hunter scratches his stubble. "Alright. So you covered that. What happened after?"
She blows out a breath. "Gianna Milano happened."
The energy in the room crashes. We all know the Milano name. The Italian family that runs LA. They ain't anything to do with Enzo or our organization. But we've heard the chatter—awar brewing between them and the Greeks. It makes sense now. Why the Greeks are building an army in our backyard.
"Happened how?" Colten asks.
"She found out the Greeks bought a ranch in New Falls. She wanted my boss to find out why. To find out the mafia scope here in Arizona. And…" Harper swallows. "To see if the man who shot her brother dead in the streets a couple of weeks ago was hiding out here."
I sit back in my chair and run my hands through my hair.
"Fuck," I say.
So that asshole wasn’t lying to us. But knowing the Milanos are preparing to retaliate changes the dynamics.
