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“Your mother is threatening to call the police and the press and tell them that I knew my father denied my mother medical care, therefore I tried to kill him.”
“You didn’t even know when your father fell ill,” she argues. “I didn’t tell you until afterward, when she called and confessed knowing about it to me.”
“I went to the facility in Germany. I was trying to find peace in her suicide. I did ask why she was denied, but they gave me the standard—not enough spots—reply.”
She studies me for several beats. “I know how you reacted when I told you. You didn’t know.” She looks at Blake. I’ll swear my life on that.” She reaches into the small purse hanging at her hip and pulls out her phone. I don’t ask what she’s doing. I know.
She punches in a number and a minute later I hear her say, “Mom, don’t talk. Listen. If you come at Eric, you’re coming at me. I’m moving in with him. We’re together. And we both know he didn’t attack his father. You know why he was attacked.”
Her mother is silent so long that Harper adds, “The smartest thing you can do is to tell me everything, but since you won’t, let me make this crystal clear. Those men are men Eric hired to protect you because there’s an assassin on the move. Gigi fled the country, we assume to save herself. I’m going to have Eric pull all of those men. You’re on your own. I hope you don’t die but if you do, I love you.” She hangs up and slides her phone back into her purse. “Pull your men, Blake. If you don’t, she won’t feel the effects of what I just said.” Her gaze slides to me. “It’s time for your call.”
I stare at her, this beautiful, strong woman, and I feel things that I can’t even name. She stood by me. There was no hesitation, and I can’t say that it was a conscious test, but if it were, she’d pass with flying colors. I look at Blake. “Pull your men from direct contact, but keep them close. I’ll call you for an update when I get out of the meeting.”
“Understood,” Blake says, walking toward the door.
Harper’s cellphone starts ringing. She surveys the number and disconnects. “It’s her. I know her. She needs to squirm.”
In that moment, I decide she’s more than a princess. She’s a queen. One who I think rules me and I don’t even give a fuck.
“My father and your mother attended a meeting with the mob boss.”
“Not Isaac?”
“All I know is there was a meeting that involved your mother and my father.”
“Well, if you expected a shocked reaction, I’m beyond that with my mother. Let’s go make NFL magic.
Yes, I think. Queen indeed.
A few seconds later, with Harper by my side, we walk down the halls of Bennett Enterprises on our way to a meeting worth billions. And I don’t think it will be the last time we do this together. I didn’t know I needed Harper in my life, but I do now. And every second she’s here, I grow more willing to do whatever it takes to keep her by my side. I will do anything to protect her.
Chapter one hundred sixteen
Harper
We meet Grayson and Mia in a private conference room next to his office. “Davis tells me I have a chopper scheduled for tomorrow to the Hamptons. I’m supposed to meet with Jon Moore.” He glances at me and offers a quick explanation which I really appreciate. “He’s the CEO of a consortium with deep pockets.” He returns to his point. “He’s supposedly fueling a competing consortium trying to bid against us on the team. I’m meeting him because he called and asked to see me.” He pins Eric in a potent stare. “You wouldn’t have anything to do with that, now would you?”
Eric’s expression never changes. “I wasn’t aware Jon was involved.”
“That’s why you have me,” Davis says, from the doorway, also dressed in casual clothing—jeans and a company logo shirt. “To find these things out.” He doesn’t look at Eric, and with good reasons. This has to be the ploy to get Grayson out of town, Eric’s alluded to on several occasions, and I already know Grayson is sharp as a whip, and will pick up on any clue he’s given. I don’t even know these people and no doubt, Davis asked Jon to play a game for him.
Davis eyes his phone and then says. “The call is ready for us. And they don’t know about Moore. I think we should keep it that way.”
“We’ll talk about Moore when we’re done in here,” Grayson says, his gaze meeting Eric’s. “Don’t you agree?”
“I’m never very agreeable,” I reply. “Which is why you like me so damn much.” With that, Eric’s hand slides to my back andurges me to sit.
Our call starts, and when I’m introduced, I slide into shmooze mode, pleased when I get the three men on the line laughing. They actually tell Grayson I’m charming and the look of approval in Grayson’s eyes pleases me.
Eventually we get to talking about the contract, and even knowing very little about these negotiations, I feel we end on a good note with positive moves to a final agreement. When the meeting concludes, we exit the room and Grayson motions between Eric and Davis. “My office, you two.” While Davis and Eric never look at each other their energy reads—we’re screwed.
Eric stands his ground and presents his case. “What if Jon really is plotting against us and you blow him off? You’re the one who knows him the best out of all of us and he’s close to you. And he’s a good friend to have on our side. Just make sure he is.”
“My office,” Grayson repeats and this time, he starts walking, which clearly equates to—nice try.
Eric’s jaw clenches and he glances down at me. “This may take a while.” With that, he and Davis, follow Grayson toward his office, where the three friends will butt heads in a brutal struggle over who gets to protect who. Considering the reason for the war ahead, I think there are worse battles to suffer.
I think he’s right. He kisses me and walks away. “How about some coffee?” Mia asks. “We never really finished our last cup.”
