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How could he have been so bloody stupid to fall for Harper’s act? While his heart told him he needed to hold out for more proof, his head yelled the damning evidence was right there in the videos and Becky’s words.
He told her they call cookies biscuits.
“Seth, what’s up?”
Dillon’s greeting cut off his thoughts.
He had plans to make. And an imposter to catch.
* * *
Harper turned down the volume on season six of David Boreanaz-World’s Sexiest Vampire and reached for the phone. Her sister’s name showed on the caller ID.
“Hey, babe.”
“Hey, have you got a minute?”
Harper frowned at the worried tone in Sienna’s voice. “You okay?”
“I was wondering if you’d spoken to Dad lately?”
“His secretary called to see if I was okay the day after you and Mom visited me,” Harper shared. She had rung her sister on the Sunday with the news of the break-in. Sienna, horrified, had wanted to come around immediately, but Harper had convinced her the next day was easier. So Monday, Sienna had turned up with their mom in tow. In truth, Harper was surprised by her mom’s concern, which was a sad indictment of her bond with her parent.
“But he hasn’t called you himself?”
Harper rolled her eyes. “Um, no. I’m the bad child, remember?”
At Sienna’s lack of return laughter, Harper lifted the bowl of popcorn off her lap and placed it on the sofa beside her where Mal gave it a cursory sniff. She leaned forward. “Sienna, what’s wrong.”
“I was over at the house today, helping Mom with plans for the spring gala at the club.” Sienna shared and Harper did her best not to groan. Thankfully, she wasn’t expected to attend since her break up with Chad, who was a member. In fact, her mother actively encouraged her to give the event a miss since “you’re not comfortable around our social set.”
“Right, and...”
“Dad came home early,” Sienna stated as if that alone was cause for concern. “He walked into the living room where Mom and I were working and poured a scotch. Mom asked why he was home early, and he exploded.”
Harper’s brows drew together. “He never loses it with Mom, at least never in front of us.”
“I know. He accused her of checking up on him and monitoring his every movement. Totally over the top. She was really shaken up.” After a few beats of silence, Sienna spoke, her tone now subdued as well as worried. “Lance said Dad’s been that way in the office, too. Fired his chauffeur last week and hired some guy who looks like a thug from an action movie, all muscle and evil stares. He keeps staff away from Dad, like sits outside the door to Dad’s office. Even Lance can’t enter without getting past the man.”
“That’s weird.” After all, Lance was his son-in-law. And why would he need protection from his own staff, especially his hand-picked management team? His secretary usually guarded the door from any unnecessary interruptions. “Honey, I wish I had some answers for you, but you saw at the fantastic family bonding session that was your birthday dinner how much Dad values my opinion. I’m the last person he’d call or confide in.”
But that didn’t stop the concern she felt for her mother. “Regardless of whatever stress he’s under, that’s no excuse to be an ass to Mom. I’ll call her tomorrow and see how she is.” For all the good it would do. Harper would lay odds on her mom dismissing the incident and saying Sienna overreacted. Such was the way of the country club set. Publicly a woman smiled serenely; in private, she reminded herself how lucky she was to have pretty things and a generous allowance that never quite made up for not having the things she truly desired—like a loving partner and self-worth.
“I envy you, Harper.” Sienna’s admission left Harper speechless. “You are so strong. I’ve never known anyone as strong as you.”
Harper swallowed around the sudden tightness in her throat. “Honey.”
“It’s true. You’ve always been…well, you. Loving. Loyal. Passionate. Even as a teenager, when Mom and Dad put so much pressure on you to stifle your personality, you stayed true to yourself.” Sienna sniffled. “I should have been the big sister you needed, but I was a coward.” She drew in a shaky breath. “I’m so proud of you, sis.”
Tears blinded her vision and slid down her cheeks. “I don’t know what to say.” She grabbed a Kleenex and wiped at her cheeks.
“Say that you’ll take me under your wing. Be there to cheer me on as I throw away my life-preserver and rock the boat.”
Harper held her breath. “What are you saying? Lance works for Dad.”
“Maybe not for long. We’ve talked about making some changes. And hey, it’s not like we’re destitute. I’ve got my inheritance from Gran. But,” she broke off. When she spoke again, her voice was stronger, determined. “But Mom and Dad likely won’t like our changes. I hope I’m as brave as you when Lance and I reveal our plans.”
“I feel like kind of a hypocrite. Their words have the power to hurt me at times. Nobody can send me on a guilt trip quite like Mom, and saying ‘no’ to Dad can sometimes scare me spitless.” All three points Harper needed to work on. “So how about I back you and Lance up when you face the music?” And then nobody has to be alone. “Maybe in future we can cheer each other on?”
“I like that idea,” Sienna’s voice clogged with emotion.
They chatted for a couple more minutes, but long after their call ended, Harper couldn’t get her mind off their conversation. Whatever was going on with her father at Brooke-Porter Digital, it seemed way out of character for a CEO to have his personal driver act as a gatekeeper when his secretary had done an admirable job all these years. Maybe she could ask Seth’s opinion? After all, he wanted to know if her dad had done or was doing anything out of the ordinary. Hiring a thug as a driver qualified in Harper’s mind.
Of more importance to Harper, she and Sienna had bonded more in that short phone call than over the last twenty-seven years Harper had graced this earth. And wasn’t that wonderful?
Now that was something she couldn’t wait to share with Seth tomorrow.
