Page 58 of Drive Me Crazy

I can't help myself, andI know it's affecting Ridge too. Even the ride home was undeniably tense. It was palpable. I twisted and turned as I watched the surrounding streets, waiting for Weston.

Ridge ushered me in the house, locking us down as soon as we were safely inside. Now, he's pacing while I sit in the room's corner hoping today isn't the last day of my life.

"Ridge?" My heart stops as I wait for the sound of his voice. It's the only solace I can find that settles me.

"I'm here." He rushes over to me, kneeling by my side. "Are you Alright? Can I get you something?"

I wince. "I hate to ask."

"Why would you ever hate to ask me for help?" He lays his hand on my knee, drawing my eyes to him. "You know, I've always had your best interest at heart. Even when I pointed out I could see your panties from the ground while you were in the tree house."

I pull my hand away from my mouth. I've chewed on my thumb until the corner of it started bleeding before we could even get home. "Always a gentleman. Come sit with me, please."

"All you had to do was ask." He spins on the ball of his feet, sliding down the wall to the floor, next to me. His body heat immediately calms me. Or is it just Ridge that does?

An icy chill runs over me, making me shudder. I squirm from the encroachment, scooting closer to my beacon of warmth. "Sorry, my nerves are shot and I'm chilly."

"I gotcha," Ridge wraps his arm around me, holding me to his side. "we'll chill together."

My body jiggles from my repressed laughter. "Did you just go there?"

"I did, and I was cute doing it." He grins as I peer up at him.

"You're still so full of yourself!" I elbow him, giggling.

Ridge slumps further into the floor and as if on cue, my head finds his shoulder. "Comfy?"

"Why yes, thank you." I turn my head, covering my mouth as I try to fight off a yawn and make my eyes water. "A little too cozy, apparently. Wow, I could fall asleep right here."

He wallows his bottom lip between his teeth before taking a deep breath and opening his mouth. "Harper, do you remember where I told you the gun is?"

"Uh, yeah." My gut twists waiting on his next words.

My heart races when his hold tightens around me. "If anything happens, I want you to go there, get the gun and wait for someone to come to you."

"No, Ridge." My head shakes of its own volition. "I go where you go."

His eyes lock on mine, and my stomach plummets. "He doesn't want to kill me Harper, there's no way I can let that happen."

"See," my mouth fills with bile. "this is why I should've never come home. I've put everyone I love in danger and it's my fault."

"No, it isn't." He swallows hard. "I need to tell you something and once I do, I'm sure you'll never think the same way about me." My body quivers when suddenly Ridge stiffens, his jaw popping as he leans to the side and reaches into his pocket. He drags his cell out, glaring at it.

"Who is it?" My voice cracks.

His frown deepens as he answers it. "Go ahead, One." His silence is like a knife, slicing me and cutting deep.

"What?" I tug on his arm. "Tell me! I can't hear!"

Ridge side eyes me before rising to his feet. "Hang on, I need to put you on speaker or gag Harper."

"Hey! I don't want you two talking over me." I gripe, folding my arms.

"We're not," he reaches for my hand. "he's still waiting. Now, c'mon we need to head upstairs." I take his hand, standing and follow behind him.

"Harper, I wanted to let you both know Weston wasn't there by the time police arrived. It's as though he's disappeared again, so I was wondering if he has found the back way into the property." One's words are slow and clear, telling me everything I need to know. He's worried.

Ridge's grip on my hand tightens as we take the steps side by side. "How in the hell did he get outta that place so fast without being seen?"