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"I did," his mom said. "I found out yesterday. Link asked us not to say anything until after Noah and Levi were taken care of. He wanted her to have a safe place to stay and was scared she'd leave if anyone knew."
"Taken care of," I muttered, repeating her words.
"Noah was arrested today along with Levi and everyone affiliated with them and their illegal business," Christian said. "I was there. I was going to kill him, but the cops showed up."
"What?" I snapped. When I'd left, I wanted to protect Christian and his family to keep them out of this mess I'd caused, but I should have known Christian wouldn't let it go that easily.
"There was an accident on Laurel Dr. near the annex," Christian's mom said, and my heart caught in my throat. "Noah and Levi were both pronounced DOA."
"DOA?" I asked.
"Dead on arrival," she said, her lip twitching into a smile as her eyes flashed from AJ to Christian and back to me. Noah and Levi were gone. It was over.
"So, it's over then," I muttered. My eyes flashed to each of them as they all nodded.
"They can't hurt you anymore." Christian's mom said. "No more hiding."
A wave of emotions washed over me all at once. Tears burned the back of my eyes. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "Thank you," I whispered to everyone.
"What happens now?" Christian asked, throwing an arm across my shoulder.
"Well," Mr. Elliott said, nodding toward me. "That all depends on Harper." He offered a soft smile. "I would love a chance to get to know my daughter if she's interested. We have an extra room in the house. We could make it yours."
As much as I would love that, I knew Mrs. Elliott would be uncomfortable with me being there.
"We would all love it," Mrs. Elliott smiled, looping an arm around Lincoln's waist.
Chapter 50
Harper
Days turned into weeks, and I stayed in the pool house at Christian's. I liked having my own space even if Christian was always there. I'd agreed to dinners at the Elliott house twice a week and attend all family functions in the future.
Scanning the room, a flood of emotions washed over me: joy, gratitude, sadness, excitement, and most of all, love.
Three hours ago, Christian, Lincoln, Aiden, Chloe, Julius, Sebastian, Maverick, and I walked across the stage with all our classmates for graduation.
"I would like to make a toast," Mr. Elliott said, clanking a fork against his champagne glass. Quiet rolled over the room, and all eyes focused on Mr. Elliott. A room filled with everyone's families and friends. I'd always felt out of place in these situations. I didn't have any family, or at least none that cared enough to show up for me, but now I did, not just Mr. Elliott and Lincoln, but everyone. They'd all gone out of their way to make today as special for me as they did for everyone else. Even Chloe's parents, who I thought hated me.
"It doesn't feel like it was that long ago that we were dropping you all off for your first day of kindergarten, but now two blinks later, here we are, watching all of you graduate." My chest tightened. No one had dropped me off on my first day of kindergarten. No one had been there to pick me up either. Forcing a smile, I shoved those memories back. The past didn't matter anymore. It was time to look forward to my future. "I know I am beyond proud of each of your accomplishments, and I can't wait to see what your futures hold. Cheers to the graduating class of 2019."
Everyone shouted 'cheers' holding their glasses high before finally taking a sip.
"Harper," Christian's mom said, stepping in beside me. My gaze flicked up, meeting hers. "Can I borrow you for a minute?"
"Yes, of course." I smiled, setting my glass on the table behind me. The room was loud with excitement and music, making it hard to hear. Christian's mom threw her thumb over her shoulder towards the back door. I nodded.
Pushing through the door, I sucked in a deep breath of fresh air, letting the quiet sink in for a moment. I enjoyed the quiet, probably more than I should, but so much chaos had always filled my life that I learned to appreciate silence.
"I have something for you." Christian's mom said, pulling a long, thick white envelope out of her bag and handing it to me. Taking the envelope, I narrowed my eyes at the black printed writing with my name on it. Nothing good ever came for me in an envelope this large. "Open it."
Forcing a smile, I nodded only because she seemed excited about the envelope. I paused when the back door flew open, and Christian stepped out, holding the same white envelope. My gaze flashed between them.
"Go on, Harper," Christian urged, a large grin covering his handsome face. "Open it."
I tore the envelope open and pulled out the contents.
Dear Harper Brooks,
