The second she's gone, he turns to me.
"So, do you think… now that I've apologized, she might let me take her out for a drink?"
Colten presses his fist against his mouth, trying to hold it in. Jett frowns, completely unaware of social clues here.
"What's so funny? I think she's totally into me."
"Go for it," I reply. "Ask her. See what she says."
His mouth drops open. "You're serious? You think I should?"
I lean back in my chair. "If you want me to tie you up in the barn and whip you until you bleed out. Go for it."
Silence follows.
"I'd probably then burn you alive," I continue.
"Alright, message received. You fucking lighter-happy lunatic." Jett backs toward the door.
Harper pads back through, heading straight for me. And just like that, I smile. Can't help it. The woman walks into a room, and my whole face changes.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," Jett says from the doorway. The longest, most annoying realization of his life.
"I'm out," Colten announces, brushing past him.
Hunter pauses at the door. "If you need a place to stay, just let me know. I can have one of the ranch houses cleaned up for you."
Harper smiles. "I'll be fine. I'm going to stay at my parents'."
Yeah. We'll see about that.
"Actually, Ace, would you mind taking me to my car? I left it at the diner."
I look at Jett. "Jett, you and Tate go get her car. Drop it to her parents'. I'll send you the address."
He doesn't argue.
"I'll drive you," I tell her.
Baby steps. That's what this is. But I don't want steps.
I want my girl back. But knowing another man has already proposed to her and is using her. It’s messin’ with my head.
I always dreamed of Harper walking back into my life. This just wasn’t quite how.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Harper
I tap along to the music on my thigh. The cab of Ace's truck is vibrating with bass, and I keep thinking about his hand on my thigh during the conversation with his brothers. How that one small gesture was everything I needed.
I should be freaked the hell out, now that I know just how involved Ace is in the mafia. But not a single word of it makes me want to run. The opposite. Because I also keep replaying that almost-kiss. His nose against mine. His breath on my lips. The way he saidyou decide if you're coming back to me or not,and meant every syllable.
He knows everything now. My deal with Hudson. My involvement with Gianna. The truth that all I've wanted to do is protect him.
But he doesn't know the rest. How much I regret leaving. How I still love him more than anything in the world.
My phone buzzes in my purse. The burner. Gianna.
