AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“With Harmony and I coming together and her now in charge of her family’s fortune, I expect some fireworks when my parents arrive.”
“Well, at least they won’t ask you to get a prenup.” I chuckled. “It’s not like we come from ordinary stock after all.”
Gray smirked, but his eyes darkened. “Actually, I was thinking more about where we live and our association versus money. If they have one negative thing to say about my bride, they will be out the door so fast they won’t know what hit them.”
I clicked his beer bottle with mine. “Cheers to that.”
“Speaking of my bride, I think she’s had enough time to think.” Gray left to retrieve Harmony and returned a few minutes later with her bearing flushed cheeks. She allowed Gray to draw her onto his lap once he sat down.
“Okay, princess, you have our attention.”
Harmony quickly gave us the rundown on her conversation with Veronica. Most of it was surprising to me, as we’d never discussed her much. A picture of a tiny, scared little blonde by herself in a gigantic penthouse presented itself, and I felt my unoccupied fist curl.
“So, would you help me, cousin? I think you are the only one who could make my wedding wish come true.”
I’d been so deep in thoughts and images of a woman I hadn’t thought about in years that I’d missed the question entirely.
“Sorry. What is it you need me to do again?”
Harmony rolled her eyes and let out a little huff of annoyance. “Jacob. I need you to go to New York and retrieve my maid of honor for me. Please.”
What do I say? That my own issues had me not wanting to go to New York. Harmony knew I hadn’t gone home since I’d arrived at Rawhide, but she didn’t know why. I’d never told Harmony what happened with Bianca, although I expected she’d heard the rumors, but she’d never mentioned them to me.
Whether it was avoiding the inevitable or desiring to not leave the comforts of my home, I couldn’t leave my cousin hanging, not after I promised her whatever help she needed with the wedding. That and the idea of Veronica home alone in her palace tower didn’t sit right with me. She had to be the kindest little brat I’d ever met, a little anxious, sure. A little too innocent… maybe. She had been back then, but she was all grown up now, a woman and I had to admit, my curiosity to see how she turned out nagged at me, like a hangnail, no matter how many times you try to chew it off, it persisted.
“Agoraphobia? Is that a real thing?” I asked to buy myself some time.
“Unfortunately, it is. But like Harmony’s ODD, it is a learned response from her environment,” Gray stepped in to offer.
“When I told her, you would come for her, she finally relented and agreed. There really is no one else, Jacob. Pleaseee!”
I couldn’t help grinning at her antics. That girl had been begging me for things since she was old enough to formulate words, and as my cute little cousin, I’d always relented and given in.
“Is that even a question? You know I’ll do it.”
Harmony jumped off Gray’s lap and did the happy dance. “Thank you!” She threw her arms around me. “Did I ever tell you that you’re the best cousin ever?”
“Only when I’m doing you a favor.” I chuckled.
I placed my empty beer bottle on the table. “I should get going. I need to take care of a few things and talk to Lawson to ensure security is running smoothly before I head out. Text me her number so I can let her know when I arrive.”
Gray stood up and shook my hand. “Thank you, Jacob, for doing this for Harmony.”
“No problem, but you”—I narrowed my eyes at Harmony—“owe me one.”
She gave me a big smile. “Don’t worry, cousin. I plan on repaying you ten times over.”
That was not the response I had been expecting, and it haunted me a bit on my walk back to my place. What was that bratty cousin of mine up to now?
Chapter 3
Veronica
Harmony had calledme an hour ago to say when to expect Jacob. Talk about no notice! She waited until he’d left the great state of Montana, and I know she did it on purpose, so I couldn’t cancel.
But that hadn’t stopped me from closing all the blinds in the place and ensuring all the lights were off. I didn’t have to worry about my door because it was a code entry that no one knew.
I felt like an idiot for making the apartment dark. It was stupid, and I knew it, but I couldn’t help it, thinking that if he thought I wasn’t here, he’d go away and leave me to the safety of my home, right? At least that was my thinking.
