Page 2 of Their Final Score: Untouched, Vol 6 of 6

Last night. The football game. The lights going out. The fear for Harper. It was a lot.

Tonight, though... Tonight is going to be a clusterfuck. I can’t let Harper out of my sights. I have no doubt that Zach will come after her harder than before. Last night was just the warmup.

“Homecoming,” I say, lifting my gaze to his.

“The dance?” When I nod, he continues. “I got roped into chaperoning. I’m just glad they cancelled the parade this afternoon after what happened last night.”

I glance around the coffee shop. The employee is somewhere in the back, and the other couple left a few minutes ago. We’re alone, but I don’t know how long I have until Caden comes in.

It all comes down to whether I trust Darius to actually help us and that the other adults won’t fuck this up for all of us. I would have trusted this man with my heart, and that’s what I would be doing now.

Because when it comes down to it, there are too many moving pieces for me to keep my eyes on all of them, and it’s Harper who’s at risk.

“You can’t tell anyone what I’m telling you, but I might need backup tonight.” I take a breath, hoping I’m not trusting the wrong person.

“If you need help, I can do that.”

I nod and run a hand through my hair before glancing at the door. The others might not agree with me looping Darius in, but in my heart, I know it’s the right call. This is bigger than us. Bigger than we can take on by ourselves. I’m not losing Harper.

I lean both elbows on the table and tell Darius the basics of what’s gone down with Zach Gray. How he’s terrorized my girl, how he wants to traffic her like he does his drugs, how tonight is his opportunity and we don’t think he’ll pass it up.

Darius’s lips tighten with each word. “I can pick him up and then he won’t be able to do anything.”

I swallow. It’s not that easy. Nothing ever is. “You need to catch him in the act or it won’t stick. He’ll be out the same day, and he’ll come back stronger plus your cover will be blown. No. If we get any new information, I’ll pass it on. I don’t know what’s going to happen tonight, but if you can, give us something, anything on that property… and if push comes to shove, be there if we need you.”

“I can do that, Jack.” Darius runs a hand over his hair. “You could have blown me up so many times, but you haven’t. I know your friends are aware of our history, but I can’t trust them with this secret. It’s too much of a risk. You’ll need to keep this one to yourself.”

My breath drags in and out. Another secret I can’t share with Caden or Harper. They’re the ones who will be hurt by me keeping something from them. The others will understand.

“I’ll do my best, but I can’t guarantee I won’t tell Caden or Harper if it comes down to me or you.” I straighten and pick up the coffee as I stand. “It’s been entertaining as always, Coach.”

I smirk. He opens his mouth, but Caden comes in the cafe. His green eyes scan the room before meeting mine. His eyes narrow, but I give him a nod.

“See you tonight,” I say.

Darius nods and drinks some of his coffee, watching Caden warily. I walk over to Caden.

“Let’s go get our girl.”

When I pass him for the door, he stays where he is, trying to figure out Darius Turner. I touch his arm.

“Let it go,” I say softly. My eyes meet Darius’s. “It’s over.”

Harper

After sobbing on my mother’s shoulder for a while, I wash my face and join Lucy for the Barbie game. Mom didn’t push me to tell her everything. I did tell her about the locker room last night, just not the plans for tonight.

As soon as I told her about the locker room, she talked about running and disappearing. Even for a while just until this blows over. But she knows just like me, this shit won’t go away. I’ll always have to deal with assholes who want to get back at my men by going through me.

I have to show them they can’t make me tuck tail and run. It’s time to stay and fight. Even if it terrifies me. The fear clings to me while I try to lose myself in the game with Lucy.

Maybe it’s the wrong decision not to tell my mom, but I have the ring. It shows the guys where I am. The guys can find me with it. They’ve done it before.

“That’s a pretty ring.” Lucy smiles.

Releasing it, I hold my hand across the game board so she can see it better. “Your brother gave it to me for my birthday.”

“Jacky gives the best gifts.” She stands and twirls, her pretty skirt flaring out around her legs. “He gave me this dress.”