Page 142 of The Rebel Billionaire

Pen makes a sound, one that I interpret as surprise.

“But she didn’t keep him safe,” I say, my tone sharpening.

“No, but she won’t make the same mistake again,” Pen says. “Your protection officers…”

“Mitch and Dan?”

Pen chuckles. “I should have guessed you’d be on first-name terms with them both.”

“I kind of didn’t give them much of a choice.”

She laughs, but there’s still an underlying edge. This is not the carefree Pen I’m used to.

“Harper, if there’s anything you can think of… They’ve found… Oh shit.”

“What, Pen? Tell me,” I say, squaring my shoulders for whatever is about to descend.

“When we found the files, there was evidence to suggest you may have been targeted all those years ago. Your dad was aware and was trying to protect you.”

I suck air into my lungs, but it lodges in my throat, the sound a half-cry.

“What do you mean?” It comes out as little more than a whisper.

“Pen, that’s enough.” I hear Elijah in the background.

“Eli, I’m not a child. Tell me, Pen.”

“There were letters, photographs… I’m sorry, Harper, I don’t… they were clearly threats.”

I close my eyes and hold my head.

Why Dad? Why weren’t you honest with me?

“Can you recall anything from that time? Was there anyone following you? Did you have a sixth sense that something was off?”

I shake my head, a vice-like pressure building in my chest.

“No,” I say when I remember she can’t see me.

“If that changes,” Pen says. “You’ve had a shock. Sometimes that can jolt suppressed memories loose. If you remember anything, call me, or hammer on Dan and Mitch’s door.”

“I can’t remember anything about that night,” I say, my panic rising. “It’s like I’ve blocked it out. Pen, if I hadn’t gone to that stupid party. If I’d only drunk it instead of giving it to Carolyn.”

“What do you mean? What drink?”

“Carolyn snatched it when I refused to drink it. It tasted like paint stripper. She drank it. It’s what made her sick. It’s why I called Dad.”

“Who gave you the drink, Harps?”

“I can’t remember… some guys.”

My memory goes back to my dream. I close my eyes, allowing it to resurface.

“No, I do. It was two friends of Jasper’s brother. They’d gatecrashed the party. Jasper was unhappy. I can remember him bitching to them about it.”

“Harper, you need to go across the hall and wake Mitch and Dan. I need you to tell them everything you can remember about that night. About the drink and the guys who gave it to you.”

“You don’t think Carolyn just had too much to drink?” I say. “It was an end-of-year party… everyone was drinking.”

“We can’t ignore anything, not now. Can you do what I ask?”

“Yes.”

“Call me later.”

“I will do.”

“Harps, we love you.”

“I love you too.”

Pen ends the call, and I grab my hoodie. I check that the hallway is empty before I step across.

Mitch opens their door after a single knock, takes one look at me and pulls me into their apartment.

“I need to talk to you both,” I say.