“My father asked Luke’s about Sean.” Eli runs a hand through his hair. “William says he knows where Sean is. I assumed that means he knows where he’s buried.”
“Or it could be that he saw Sean disappear like into a lake or a fire.” Caden taps his finger on the table. “Which means he could have escaped. Which would explain the laptop being here. If our fathers wanted to destroy the evidence, they would have obliterated the laptop. Not just crushed it.”
“You’re right.” Eli leans back. “They wouldn’t have left anything that might be evidence later.”
“Which brings us right back towhy now.” Harper shakes her head as she takes a bite.
“It can’t be a coincidence that my father wanted to move back now.” I scratch my chin. “Things were fine in New York and our family was good. We all had our lives. But he decided he had to be back here.”
Harper squeezes my hand. “I’m glad you’re back.”
My heart warms.
“What tipped them off that evidence still exists?” Jack stares at the door leading to the living room. “Maybe that’s a question for our new friend?”
Harper turns to look at the door. “Do you think they might have had something to do with it?”
“Only a few people knew the evidence existed,” Jack says. “Obviously your dads and possibly mine and Eli’s. Harper’s parents. And this mystery person.”
“So the mystery person,” Luke continues, “could be attached to either Harper’s family or our fathers.”
Everyone falls silent, contemplating that, as we eat pizza. We don’t have a lot of people we can trust right now. But I’ve felt that way for years being in New York without these five people in my life.
Harper’s always felt isolated, but it’s a new feeling for Luke, Eli, Caden, and Jack. Not that they trusted people, but they at least could rely on some of the people that worked for them.
Before they had someone to lose.
Harper sighs and pushes her plate away. She ate one piece and left the other untouched. “For now, we have to assume this person is friendly. My father—” she swallows, “must have told this person my word so I would trust them.”
Jack nods. “We should get back...”
The others all stand and take the plates to the dishwasher. Harper stays next to me. For a moment, she just sits there looking a little lost. A lot of shit has been thrown her way lately.
When she shakes it off, she gets up. Eli comes over with the pill bottle.
“Maybe I shouldn’t take them?” I meet his dark eyes.
Eli takes Harper’s empty chair and gives me a look. “You’re in pain, Nico. Your whole face is tense. The pain isn’t permanent and we won’t let you take more than you need to take the edge off, but you should really get some sleep. These will help.”
He rattles the pills in the bottle. My mom drinks to cope with her life. I don’t know if she’s what I would consider an addict, but there might be tendencies there. I set my mouth in a line, prepared to tell him no. There’s too much to do.
“Nico,” he says with a sigh. “You need to rest. Take your pain meds. She’ll worry otherwise.”
My gaze seeks Harper out. She stands in Caden’s arms with her head pressed against his chest, his arms draped loosely around her while he talks to Jack. Eli’s right. She’ll worry over me. Not that I mind, but we need to focus on what we came here to do.
I hold out my hand, and he drops the pills into it. When I take them, he hands me a glass of water to wash them down. I’m grateful for them all. If I were still in New York, I’d be on the couch with my mother hovering over me.
Luke comes over to help me stand. He glances at Eli. “Bed?”
Eli nods.
“Fuckers. Someone at least bring my laptop until I pass out.”
“On it.” Harper smiles and goes into the living room to grab my laptop.
When she leaves the room, I ask, “Are you really going to tie her to the bed?”
Eli smirks as he walks with me to the door. “Of course. You can sleep or participate. Whatever you need.”
