“It just needs to come from me.” Luke squeezes my thigh. “I say I found it but don’t know what’s on it. That will give us a few days of my father being happy. Maybe.”
“What are we going to do about Sidney?” I need to know because she’s not getting near Luke.
“If Penny tells us—” Eli stresses the wordif— “then we play it out. Luke is there. We see what she has planned and make sure Luke doesn’t get drugged.”
“If Penny doesn’t tell us?” I don’t really want to see her hurt, but what kind of social punishment would they give her if she’s actually double-crossing us?
“Then we work it a little different.” Eli’s gaze falls to Luke’s hand on my bare thigh and smiles wickedly. “We could show her what she’s up against. If you’re willing to participate, kitten.”
I swallow. “What?”
“It would mean we put on a show for Sidney.” Luke slides his hand higher and strokes his finger along my panties. His eyes meet mine. “I’d fuck you when she tries to come into my room.”
My brow furrows. I’m not sure I want to share that with her.
Luke threads his fingers into my hair and cradles my head. “If she saw what you and I mean to each other, she’d know there’s no chance.”
“What if I don’t want to share with her what you feel for me?” I arch an eyebrow.
“Anything less won’t make her turn tail and run, Harper.” Luke traces my jawline with his thumb. “The other option is to let her think she’s winning so she can tell me what she’s planning.”
Dangerous game. “You’d let her touch you?”
“No.” His eyes blaze with heat. “Never. But if she thinks I’m willing, she might give us more information. Like what she plans to do to you. And that’s worth it.”
“But all this depends on Penny.” I turn to look at Eli.
“If she’s on our side or not.” Eli nods.
I want to bite my lip, but I don’t. “I don’t want Sidney to think she’s won.”
Luke turns my face back to his. “I wouldn’t let her leave with that delusion, princess. Once I had what I needed, I’d make sure she finally gets that I’m in love with you and nothing she can do will change that.”
“We need to ask our friend in there about the why now.” Caden’s words draw my attention from Luke. “They may know what stirred the pot suddenly. Your father said they would protect you and your mother. What if because we got close to you, they threatened Luke’s father? Or maybe Luke’s father made a move toward your mother?”
Oh, shit. “Mom hasn’t mentioned William coming after her.”
“But you being with us would have brought her back into his sights.” Caden releases a breath. “What if they’re the reason for why now? What if they made an initial shot across William’s bow to get us to back off. It would explain why William beat the shit out of Luke to get him to stay away from Harper. Especially since the fathers are now leaning into using Harper. What did they say that sent our fathers into a panic?”
“So,” Jack says, “we’re asking the ghost in the machine if they initiated this thing with Luke’s father and for something to give Luke’s father to keep him busy?”
“Yes.” Eli straightens. “That leaves us with Homecoming.”
“If we shouldn’t go, that’s fine.” I was looking forward to the guys all dressed up and getting to wear a pretty dress. “There will be other dances.”
“We should let it play out,” Eli says. He’s focused on Luke. “This is our opportunity. We know they’re going to make a play for her. We know Sidney has a plan. Otherwise, we’ll be caught flatfooted like the football game or when her tire got slashed. This is our opportunity to take Zach down.”
My insides clench and my hands grow clammy. Even with weapons, I’m not sure what will happen if Zach gets me separated from my guys. I twist my ring.
Luke releases a sigh and draws me onto his lap. “You’re right, but I don’t like it.”
I rest my head against his steady heartbeat.
“Both Nico and I will be able to keep an eye on her while you have court things to attend.” Jack pushes his hand through his hair. “We’ll make sure we have other ways to track Harper’s movements.”
“We should check out Walker’s farm.” Nico adjusts his knee with a wince. “Scope it out to find out if it’s where they maybe do drug deals or if not, what they’re doing out there.”
Luke’s hand runs up and down my spine, making me warm while our conversation chills me.
