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“No. I have some things I need to take care of.” They know I’m lying. “You guys go. But you will not let her out of your sight. You will send me updates. And you will go straight there and back. No extra stops.”
Mac stands and salutes me like a smart ass. Brother or not… I really might punch him. “Yes, sir.”
Finn rises, “Nothing will happen to her, Ronan. We’ll keep her safe.”
“You fucking better.” They definitely know I’m full of shit now. If I didn’t care about her, I wouldn’t be so worried.
They spin on their heels and practically skip out of my office in excitement. I wish Harper would have come in here and talked to me herself but I know that’s wishful thinking. She’s been avoiding me as much as I have her. It’s why I find what the guys are telling me so hard to believe. If she genuinely wanted me wouldn’t she want to be around me? No, because you act like a world-class dick every time she’s in the same room as you.
Fuck, I hate that I’m even thinking about this shit. I have to focus. If I’m being honest, the stolen shipment is the least of my worries. Some of my men are already on it. I have them tracking our rivals in the area to rule them out, and I’ve taken care of the piece of shit dock workers who let that whole thing happen. My dad’s on my ass about it, but he can fuck off. All I can think about is figuring out Declan’s plan for Harper. Even more so, what my dad’s plan is for Harper.
I don’t buy that he sent Harper here for her protection. Sure, we knew of the Hayes family growing up, but we were never that close. My parents helped Aidan and Freya scrub their identities and turn them into the Hayes’. Running the bookstore for us was their payment.
Declan Whelan has been doubling down since I took over three years ago. Word is spreading that I’m not the sadistic and ruthless asshole my father was, and he seems to think he can take over our turf in America. With the way my he’s always up my ass, I’d think my dad agrees.
Part of me wonders if the Declan’s men are the ones who stole that shipment, that they’re trying to make it look like we’re weak. Like I’m weak. I won’t stand for it Because if Declan Whelan starts stepping in on our turf all the way from Ireland, who says it will stop there? Other syndicates will get word, and before we know it, we won’t have control of shit.
Or at least that’s what Dad repeatedly tells me.
I respect my old man for what he’s created, but it ends there. He’s a ruthless man. There isn’t much he wouldn’t do to get ahead. My gut is screaming at me and I have a feeling I know precisely why Harper is here.
I really hope I’m fucking wrong.
Because if I’m right, I have absolutely no clue what I’m going to do.
I don’t know if I could do it.
I don’t know if I could let her go.
She’s sunshine in our sea of darkness. The light she brings into our home is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The three of us battle our demons every single day; whether she notices it or not, she helps put those demons at bay. I’m not a loving person by nature, shit I’m the exact opposite, but this woman deserves everything good in life. Even if I can’t be the one to give that to her, the good man I am deep down is telling me that I want to help her get it.
I spin back towards my computer to finish a few things before the three leave for the night. Once they’re gone, I know I won’t be able to focus on anything else besides her. I run my hands through my hair, trying to refocus on the task at hand.
Protecting Harper.
19
Harper
“Holy shit,” I whisper to myself, standing in front of the mirror. I don’t often put too much effort into my appearance. I’m usually far more comfortable in jeans and a graphic T-shirt, but right now, I look hot.
I don’t know how he did it in just a few hours, but Finn found the perfect dress. The black sequin dress stops just below my ass and leaves little to the imagination, hugging every curve. The cowl neckline dips low between my breasts and is held up by two thin straps that tie behind my neck, while the back sits at the base of my spine. It’s not something I would have picked for myself in a million years, but I have to admit, I’ve never felt better.
Finn paired the dress with a pair of strappy, black, studded Louboutin heels that are just edgy enough to pull the look together.
I walk back into my bathroom and put the finishing touches on my makeup. I decided to let the dress and shoes do the talking and kept my hair and makeup simple, nothing but some concealer, bronzer, nude lipstick, mascara, and the perfect winged eyeliner, which may or may not have taken six tries.
If you know you know.
I pulled my unruly curls into a bun on the top of my head while leaving a few pieces around my face.
After giving myself one last once over, I gather the courage to find the guys. I have never been this excited to go clubbing. For just a few hours, I want to forget about everything else. I know it’s not exactly safe for me to go out right now, but I’ll be with Finn and Mac. I know they’ll protect me. I want to go out and dance. I want to have some drinks. I want fun.
Something my life has always seemed to lack.
As I emerge from the hall, I find Finn and Mac standing at the elevator.
My. God.
