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“She gave him stock.”
“She controlled what he got. That was her plan.”
“You helped her? You knew she sent me to get him?”
“No. Of course not. I told her no. I told her that Eric knows his father basically killed his mother. No good could come out of giving him a key to revenge.”
Her eyes are now remarkably dry. Because of the Xanax? Or is there more to her motives? “Why did Gigi run?”
“For her life. She told Isaac that his father was coming here to offer Eric part of Isaac’s stock to get out of this mess. The next thing we all know, the wrong man is in the hospital.”
I stand up in shock. “The wrong man? What does that mean?”
“We thought Isaac would go after Eric. Obviously, he decided he just wanted to inherit. That’s why Gigi ran. Isaac doesn’t know I know any of this, but he knows she knows. She could ruin him.”
“You believed Isaac had killed not once, but twice, and you were okay with him going after Eric?”
“Not to kill him. You think I wanted him dead? Eric can handle himself for God’s sake. He was a SEAL.”
“What if Isaac had come for me? He had me attacked at the warehouse. Eric saved me.”
“You were attacked?”
“Yes. And I can’t prove it, but I’m almost certain that Isaac set it up. He had a bank account in my name. He was setting me up to look like I was stealing from the mob. Eric wiped out the proof. Eric saved me in that warehouse or I’d be dead, the fall guy for the mob.” A bad thought hits me. “I assume since you took my trust, my life insurance would have gone to the family, too. My death would have paid off the mob.”
“No. No, Harper. I didn’t—I had no idea—and—”
“And you let Isaac come after Eric. What did you think he would do to Eric, mother? He was going to lose everything.”
“There’s no proof that he killed anyone! I didn’t believe it. And he didn’t kill Eric. He killed his father!”
“Their father had a heart attack. Just like Isaac’s mother and father had a car accident. He won’t go down for this, but you think he won’t find out what you know? You think he won’t come for you? I suggest you go to Gigi and go quickly.”
“Eric killed his father. I’m going to tell the police. You need to stay away from him.”
I lean on the table facing her. “You think that lie will save you from Isaac? I don’t.” I push off the table and walk toward the door.
“Harper! Harper, come back here!”
I don’t stop. I don’t even think about stopping, but with every step, blades cut me. I’m bleeding inside and it’s like her voice is acid being poured in freshly cut wounds. I open the door and find Eric standing there. We stare at each other as my mother screams and tears prick my eyes.
Desperate to escape her screams, I step into the hallway and shut the door.
“I don’t want the money,” he says, his voice low, rough. “I didn’t know and it wouldn’t have mattered if I had. I don’t care about anything but you.”
“I know that,” I whisper. “I know.”
I don’t know who moves then. Me. Him. Both of us, but we collide and hold onto each other, just hold each other. Neither of us wanting to let go.
Chapter one hundred twenty-four
Harper
“Idon’t know what to do, Eric,” I whisper, hugging myself with the impact of the bitter truth I cannot deny. “She’s my mother, but she—she’s not a good person.”
The door opens behind me and my mother gasps. “You,” she hisses at Eric.
“Yes,” Eric says, his tone hard, a blade of steel. “Me. I’m still alive.” I rotate to stand next to him, keeping my hand at his back. He doubted me. He doubted us. No. He feared I’d believe the worst of him and that’s exactly why my hand settles firmly on his back. “And so is Harper,” he adds. “I’m keeping her that way and since that means dealing with Isaac, that means you, too, but for now, I suggest you leave. Stay hidden until this is over.”
