Page 31 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

When I turn to her, she’s pale. I draw her onto my lap and tip her chin up so our eyes meet. There’s fear in hers.

“You aren’t going anywhere, little nympho.” I trace her jaw with my finger. “There are a dozen places we can hide in this house if it came down to it.” I give her a grin. “I’m happy to show them all to you.”

She draws in a ragged breath and settles on my lap, collapsing against me. I wrap my arm around her. One at a time, my gaze meets each of theirs. Luke, Jack and Eli. We’re all worried about her. There’s too much happening at once.

She’s strong, but she can only stand so much before she breaks. Her head rests on my shoulder as she holds me.

“Need us to come over?” Luke asks. His gaze is fixed on Harper.

“They don’t have to,” Harper whispers.

Their eyes narrow on her even though she can’t see, and they all get up. I shake my head and smile.

“Wrong answer, little nympho.” I rub her back. “Are you okay?”

She doesn’t say anything but doesn’t pull away from me either. This won’t be about punishment unless she needs it to center her. But we all want to be here for her.

“Fuck it.” I stand up, holding her against me. We need answers. She squeaks and wraps her legs around me. I grab my phone and text the guys.

Me:

Change of plans. Meet at the place

Eli:

Now?

Me:

Yeah, we need to see if we can find anything

Jack:

I’ll grab some flood lights

I grab Harper’s shoes and slip mine on before grabbing one of my sweatshirts for her. The whole time she clings to me, which just solidifies that if I have to find us another place to live, I will. This girl is mine, and no one is taking her from me.

Harper

It’s dark and chilly outside, but Caden is warm. He ducks into the garage, and his car clicks as he unlocks the doors. Lowering me into the passenger seat, his eyes meet mine, and I shiver at the determination in them.

“Buckle up.” He kisses me before setting a sweatshirt in my lap.

The unique cinnamon scent that’s all Caden wafts over me as I pull it on over my head. The sweatshirt engulfs me like his hugs do. He slides into the driver’s seat and starts the car.

I have no idea where we’re going, but I know the others will meet us there. I don’t know what to think about Emily Ross. My mom helped her at some point, but that doesn’t surprise me. That Mrs. Ross would help me in return kind of does.

“What do you think my mom did for your mom?” I pull my hands inside the sleeves of Caden’s sweatshirt and stare out into the darkened sky.

Caden sighs. “I don’t know. Knowing your mom, it could have been anything, but I don’t know my mom that well. She was close when we were kids, but then she distanced herself. Literally. They were gone. We had a nanny for a while, but never the same one.”

I grab the string on his sweatshirt and tug a little, trying to imagine what that would be like. To be left alone with a stranger to take care of me. Mom always had Bob and Fran to watch over me if she needed someone.

I never really questioned why she trusted them. They’re our neighbors and older. But I don’t know what other connection she might have to them. Or maybe my dad had a connection to them.

“My mom is taking my dad off the playing board. At least for a while. We should be able to do a sweep of my room and lock the staff out. It should be a safe place for us.” Caden glances at me in the dark.

I can feel his eyes on me, but I don’t turn to meet them. Nowhere is safe. My mom is my safety net. The guys too, but there are too many monsters closing in.