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"How long will it take?"
"Shouldn't take long," he answered. "I'll call as soon as I have the results."
"Thanks," I said and disconnected the phone.
While my mom and her PI hunted for Dylan West, I worked on my piece of the 'who's Harper's dad' puzzle.
"What are you up to?" Maverick said from behind me. Fuck! I didn't hear him come in. I shrugged like I didn't know what he was talking about. "Don't play dumb. You're up to something."
He wasn't going to let this go.
"You can't say anything right now," I whispered. He nodded. "I think Harper's dad is AJ Elliott."
His eyes went wide. "As in Link's dad, AJ Elliott?" I nodded. "Holy shit!"
"Shhh..." I pointed up the stairwell to where Harper was still sleeping.
He shoved his hand through his thick dark hair. "I take it Link doesn't know." I shook my head. "Holy shit!"
"I stole D.N.A. from both of them," I said. "And I sent it to Ace. He should be able to use it to see if they are related."
"Link's mom is going to lose it," Maverick said, shaking his head. That was an understatement. Link's mom was extremely possessive of Link's dad, or at least she used to be when we were growing up. It had been years since we spent time with them.
"I know," I said. "I'm just getting the information, and it will be up to Harper what she wants to do with it, but if she decides to tell them, I will support her."
"You should tell Link, man," Maverick said. "He's your best friend, and he cares about Harper. We all do." I wasn't sure how Link would handle the news that his father cheated on his mother and Harper was the outcome of that affair. I knew he would do anything to protect her now, but I didn't know if that would change after finding out.
"I'm not saying anything to anyone until I know for sure," I said. "Harper doesn't know I'm running the test, either. There's no reason to cause problems when there isn't any yet."
"You know, if he is her father, he could put an end to Noah and Levi with his connections," Maverick said, leaning against the counter.
"He could also try to put an end to Harper with his connections," I added. "Mr. Elliott can be unpredictable when provoked, and I don't know how much he knows about Harper. Or what he would do to prevent Ms. Elliott from finding out." He pressed his lips into a thin line, nodding his head. It hadn't crossed his mind that it could go the other way.
Mr. Water's had unconventional ways of making his millions. There had been rumors growing up that Link's family was associated with the mafia, but it had never been confirmed. However, people who stood against him or his family always had a way of disappearing.
"For now, we keep this quiet," I said. "Once I get the results, we can figure this all out."
"Okay," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. He might not agree with me, but he respected my decision. "Party starts at noon today. You guys coming?"
"Yes, we'll be there," I said. "I'm letting Harper sleep in."
Today was senior skip day, an annual tradition in the Valley hosted by our parents and the Valleyview Country Club. The massive pool party during the day usually relocated to the Lake House after sunset.
"You know Link's parents will be there, right?" Maverick asked.
"I do. No one but Harper knows about the possibility of her being AJ Elliott's daughter. So, it shouldn't be an issue."
He nodded."See you there." He turned to walk away but stopped, spinning back to me. "You know..."
"Don't," I said. I already knew what he was going to say, and he was wrong, or I hoped he was. I would make sure he was wrong. Harper was one of us now. Everyone had accepted and protected her, including my parents, but we didn't know how the other parents would receive her.
Chapter 43
Harper
Trying not to let my insecurities get the best of me, I forced a smile as everyone sat outside on the patio around the pool, talking and laughing. A perfect day for a pool party; the sun was bright and warm, with enough cloud coverage to stir a cool breeze occasionally. Christian, Aiden, and Chloe talked me into attending a Valley annual tradition for its senior skip day. I didn't fit in, but I was trying to for Christian.
Christian was trying so hard to fit me into his world that sometimes he forgot I was still from the Villas, even if the Valley had temporarily adopted me. Or at least some of the Valley. The occasional whispers and stares reminded me I was out of place.
