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“I still think this is a symptom of a bigger problem and we don’t know the real problem or who is behind that problem.”
“Agreed,” Blake says.
We talk another minute, and disconnect right as I exit the stairwell to my floor, the Rubik’s cube all but imprinted on my left hand. By the time I reach my door and relieve Jensen of his duties, I’ve decided to look to the obvious place for an answer to what that identifier represents—Harper. That man was at her house. It hits me then; I’ve been assuming the message is for me because of the number format, but the truth is, it could be for her. Certainty fills me; the message is for Harper and for reasons that are pure instinct, that feels like a problem. That feels dangerous. It feels likesomething else Harper still hasn’t told me and if she was anyone else, I’d be bordering on pissed.
But I’m not sure I trust my instincts with Harper. I’m too fucking into her. And the very idea that at this point, Harper could be holding information back, does not sit well. I want answers or I’m out.
I slide my keycard and open the door. I’ve made it all of four steps when Harper charges at me, flings herself into my arms, and breathes out, “Thank God.”
Thank God, spoken with relief.
“I was so worried.” She pulls back to look at me. “I’m glad you’re back.”
She has a million questions, I’m certain, but she’s not asking them. She’s focused on me and I don’t remember the last time anyone worried about me or focused on me for any reason that wasn’t to hurt me or compete with me. I don’t remember a time when anyone defended me as she did with her mother. Her mother, who is all she has, the only one she calls family. No one understands what that means to her, more than me. My mother was all I had, too.
I stroke her hair from her face and tilt her gaze to mine and in that moment, I decide right now that if she’s hiding something, she’s afraid. Words Grayson has said to me over and over come back to me:You get what you give. If I don’t give Harper my trust, she’ll never give me hers. She doesn’t trust me with her secret because she doesn’t trust me not to leave. I’ve done so two times before. I’ve earned her distrust, not her trust.
“Why are you staring at me?” she whispers.
“I’m not going anywhere. I know you don’t know that yet, but you will. I promise.”
Her eyes cloud and darken. “Promise?”
“I promise. Now, take me home to your bed.”
“Is it safe?”
“Yes. I’ll tell you everything on the way. Just like I hope you will tell me everything there is to tell, Harper. When you’reready.”
I don’t give her time to deny or reply. I don’t place that pressure on her. I kiss her again, grab my bag, and lead her to the door. I’m giving her my trust. I’ll earn hers. And I won’t allow either of us to regret those decisions.
Chapter thirty-four
Eric
Imanage to usher Harper to the elevator without much explanation, but once the car doors shut and I’ve punched in the lobby level, she’s ready for answers. “What happened when you went to my house and why do you want to get back there now with such urgency?”
Because I want her home where I know we’re secure, where I can control our environment, and where I know Walker Security is guarding the exterior or the property. “That was the whole idea,” I say instead. “Get my bag. Go back to your place.”
“We’re in this together, remember? No secrets. I deserve to know what just happened at my own home. Tell me what happened when you went after the driver of the car.”
“The minute I walked in his direction, he rolled down the window and tossed a cigarette and note out.”
“A note? What kind of note?”
“A piece of paper with a fourteen-digit sequence of numbers and letters.”
She frowns. “Nothing but the sequence? That’s—odd.”
“Correct,” I say.
“Then it has to be a message for you, right? Do you know what it means?”
“I don’t. I ruled out a lot of options but nothing more so far.”
“Maybe they’re saying, your genius doesn’t scare them? Or they know you. They know how you operate.”
“Or it’s meant for you,” I say.
