I sigh. It’s not great when she’s starting a sentence off like that. I’m hesitant to ask, but I go ahead with it anyhow. “What is it?”
“When I was leaving the police station, a woman came up to me and gave me a business card. Her father runs a private investigative firm. She suggested that they might be able to help.”
“Help with what, Harper?” I try to keep my temper even, but I’m reeling inside.
She can’t leave it alone, can she?
When will she realize that stopping Dante isn’t an option? That keeping him in power protects all of us.
“Do you want to work for Dante? Has something changed?” Her gaze bores into mine and I’m forced to look away.
“I’m—” I contemplate how best to answer.
“The truth, Luca. Just give it to me straight.”
I lie back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, my legs dangling off the side of the mattress. “I love you. I love Zeke. I want to keep my family safe. Would hockey be my preferred choice out of college? Absolutely, but I’m beginning to realize that I will end up working for Dante and I suppose I’ve made peace with that decision.”
“How?” Harper shifts around on the bed, staring down at me. Her fingers stroke my jaw, and momentarily I close my eyes, leaning into her touch.
It’s hard to stay angry at her when she’s trying to look out for me. Even if it’s in some weird, fucked-up manner. “How have I made peace with it?” I ask, chancing a glance in her direction. I force a smile. “Is there another choice?”
She sighs. “I was hoping so, until Dante caught me.”
She’s referring to her afternoon visit to the police station.
“That isn’t going to fix anything. Putting him behind bars, it jeopardizes all of us, puts us all in danger and could get me tossed in beside him.”
Harper scoots back on the bed, drawing her legs up beside her. Her fingers move from my jaw down my neck. Her touch is warm and soothing, bringing my emotions to a calmer state, the reckless energy seeping out to a stillness.
“How would you end up in jail? What did he make you do?” Harper asks.
I open my mouth, then quickly close it.
I want to trust her, but not with what she did today.
“It’s better that you don’t know.”
“Luca, I can’t help you if you’re not honest with me.” Her eyes plead with me to tell her, but my heart holds back the truth.
I want to lean in and kiss her, but it takes too much energy to sit right now. Lying is more my speed, and I let my eyes drift closed.
She gently nudges my arm. “Stay awake with me.”
My eyelids flutter open. “I am.” I reach for her hips, pulling her down flush beside me, her face just mere inches from mine as she’s curled onto her side.
I lean closer, wanting to forget all of today: the fighting, the death, the bloodshed, those girls. Her proximity is surprisingly calming, even after our argument.
She rests her forehead against mine, the heat of her breath warm against my cheek. “I truly am sorry,” Harper whispers, and her voice breaks.
If she cries, I’ll fall apart.
I wrap both arms around her waist, pulling her against me. My lips crush hers, but it’s not enough.
It’s never enough with Harper.
I always crave more.
Rolling over, my weight above her, my body pushes her down into the mattress, and she wraps her legs around me. The shirt rides up, and I realize how little she’s wearing and how I have too many clothes on between us.
