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“Breathe,” Harvard ordered as the line went dead.
Had she hung up? She didn’t know.
A security guard called out to Harvard, but Rachel couldn’t hear over the roar of blood rushing through her veins.
“No,” Harvard barked. “I’ve got this.” He backed Rachel against the wall, shielding her from prying eyes. “Breathe in and out with me. Put your hand on my chest. Feel it rise and fall.” He matched action to words, moving her hand and gently placing it inside his jacket, over his heart. “In, out. In, out.” He kept his gaze locked with hers, holding her in place with his will. “That’s it. You’ve got it. That’s better.”
Once the rushing noise in her ears began to fade and strength returned to her legs, she wet her lips with her tongue. “I’m okay now.”
“Yes. You are.” He took a step back, still holding her hand to his chest as he shielded her from the world. “What did your mom say?”
Rachel swallowed hard, but with each passing second, she felt the walls inside her rebuilding, brick by brick. “Father’s had another heart attack. They’re in central London, in hospital. She said he was going to be fine, but…”
He leaned in to murmur against her ear. “Give me the ice queen, Rachel. That’s who you need right now. Let me see her. I’ve got your back, and you can handle anything. I know it. You know it. Let’s show the world.”
She nodded, and he backed up again. Rachel straightened her shoulders and took her hand from his chest. “I suspect my blackmailer may have shared some photos with my father,” she said, pleased that her voice sounded even and strong.
“Okay.” His eyes turned deadly. “Has she called your brothers?”
“She didn’t say.” Rachel smoothed her suit and brushed her hair over her shoulder.
“We can call them from the car.”
She was grateful he didn’t suggest going upstairs and telling Jonathan in person. She wasn’t ready for that yet. “Let’s go. I’m alright now. It was just a shock.”
“Come on.” He took her hand, and for once, she didn’t complain.
As they passed the curious guard and receptionist, Harvard called out, “That’s what happens when you skip lunch. She’s fine; we’re going to get something to eat. Have a good weekend.”
They smiled politely, but awkwardly, clearly unsure whether to believe him. Rachel didn’t care. She just didn’t want anyone calling Jonathan before she could talk to him.
Once in the car, Harvard handed her a bottle of icy water from the cooler built into the center armrest. She took it gratefully and sipped until her throat felt like it was working properly again.
“You okay to call?” he asked as he took them out into the traffic.
“Yes.” She lifted her phone and brought up her brother’s contact details. “Jonathan? There’s been some bad news; Father’s in hospital again with a mild heart attack.” As she listened to his shocked response, they joined the motorway, and Harvard’s hand reached out to clasp hers.
She held it tight.
“No, Mother said he’ll be fine, and you know she wouldn’t downplay it. I’m on my way there now.” She gave him the details. “I’ll meet you there. Will you tell Sebastian?”
Once he’d agreed, she hung up and reached for the water again.
Harvard squeezed her hand. “You okay?”
“It was just a wobble.” She took another sip.
“We all have them. How do you want to handle this?”
And just like that, the last remaining links in the chain around her heart gave way. Any other man at Benson Security would have taken charge and tried to tell her what to do, but not Harvard. With one short question, he’d let her know that he had her back, and this was her show to run.
“I need to calm my parents,” she said. “There will be questions about the attack. Emotions.” And she wasn’t great at dealing with those. It was tempting to leave them to get over the shock and then talk to them about it later. Maybe in a year or two. But she couldn’t. They were her family, and she loved them fiercely.
“Just tap my arm if you need a reprieve,” he said, sounding his usual calm self. “I can either take over the explanations or get you out of there for a few minutes.”
“Tag team,” she muttered.
“Yeah.”
