The Beach Hut on Plum Island

16. CHAPTER 16

Within two hours, Finn and Harriet were comfortable in his helicopter, with her sitting up front with him. Finn had logged the flight plan while Harriet had dug into the envelope her father had given her, which contained a pile of cash, a key to a house in the Hamptons Harriet didn’t know they owned, and another envelope. The second envelope was marked for her to only open when she arrived in the Hamptons.

They’d used the cash to buy some clothes. Harriet insisted they get bomber jackets, black jeans, and Ray-Bans because they were going to fly a helicopter. As they got ready to take off, he turned and smiled at her.

“Are you ready?” Finn asked.

Harriet nodded as they started to lift off. “I haven’t been in one of these in years.”

“I’m so glad you’re not afraid of them,” Finn told her. “So many people are.”

“Are you kidding me?” Harriet looked at him with excitement flashing in her eyes. “I want to learn how to fly one.”

Two hours later, they landed at East Hampton Airport, and forty minutes later, they were in a taxi heading for the secret house Harriet’s father was sending them to. When they got there, Finn and Harriet were surprised to see it was a beach house nestled between sprawling mansions that were dotted along the sand.

“This little house seems oddly out of place here,” Finn pointed out, his arms ladened with the bags of clothes they’d bought in Newbury Port.

Harriet unlocked the house, and they stepped inside to find it was an ultra-modern house inside.

“I’m wondering how my father managed to get this place,” Harriet told Finn, looking around. “But I must say, I love what he’s done to it. He’s kept its charm but modernized it. I’ve always wanted to live here. This, to me, is a beach house.” She smiled at Finn. “It belonged to Mrs. Ruthers, a widow whose family had lived here for generations. She passed away five years ago, and because there was no will, it just sat.”

“Where does your family live?” Finn asked her.

“Here’s the fun part,” Harriet told him.

She walked through the cozy living room and opened the double doors that led onto a deck-like porch with stairs leading to the white sea sand. Finn put the bags down and followed her. She turned and pointed to a huge mansion that towered beside them.

“That’s my family home where I grew up.” Harriet turned and pointed to another sprawling mansion on their left. “That’s the Blackwell house, and beside them is the Danes house. The house on the other side of my family home is Dawn’s family home.”

“So you all grew up next to each other?” Finn clarified.

“We did,” Harriet nodded. “Now, according to my father’s letter…”

“You opened it?” Finn gaped at her.

“Yes, back in Newbury Port before we left,” Harriet admitted. “I wasn’t going to wait until we got here, and my father knew that.”

“What’s in the envelope?” Finn asked.

“The guest list on my Uncle Titus’s jet,” Harriet told him. “And you won’t guess who all is on it.”

She walked into the house, pulled their envelope of cash from one of the bags, and drew out the envelope. Harriet handed it to Finn. He pulled out the letter, and his eyes widened.

“Now, do you believe me?” Finn asked her, giving the letter back to her.

“We don’t know the circumstances yet,” Harriet told him. “So let’s not be too judgy just yet.” She pointed to the list. “You’ve seen who else is on it.”

“And what are we going to do?” Finn asked. “Get take out and knock on your front door?” He frowned. “How does your father even know they’re at your house?”

“He called the one person my father trusts more than he even trusts his security detail,” Harriet told him.

Before Finn could ask who that was, the doorbell rang. Their eyes widened as they looked at each other.

“I know this is stupid to ask,” Finn said. “But are you expecting anyone?”

“As far as I know, no one even knows we’re here,” Harriet whispered.

They both looked at the door as the doorbell rang again. It went quiet, and they stood staring at it, waiting for it to ring again.

“You two would make terrible spies,” a deep voice came from the open glass doors.

Harriet yelped, turned, and threw the letter at the man towering in the doorway.

“What’s this supposed to do? Give me a paper cut?” the man laughed, bending down to pick up the letter.

Finn’s eyes widened as he stepped protectively closer to Harriet.

“You could use the front door,” Harriet said to the man.

“I tried that and rang the doorbell twice,” he pointed out.

To Finn’s surprise and a twang of jealousy, Harriet sprinted into the man’s arms. “I’m so glad to see you, Scott.”

“Your father told me you’d be here and to keep an eye out,” Scott told her before unraveling himself from her arms and holding his hand out to Finn. “Harriet’s not very good at introductions. I’m Scott Vanderbilt, Dawn’s older brother.”

“Oh!” Finn said, feeling better. “Finn Shaw.”

“Oh, I know who you are,” Scott assured him. “We’re big fans of yours here.”

Finn nodded and looked at Harriet. “Is Scott who your father trusts?”

“Yes,” Harriet confirmed with a nod. “Scott is my father’s favorite out of all of us.”

“Don’t listen to her,” Scott gave him a lopsided grin. “I’m just the nerd that tried to keep the brats in line as I’m the eldest out of the mob I’m sure you’ve met by now.” He looked from Finn to Harriet. “And congratulations on the engagement. I’m just sorry this nasty business with your uncle has ruined it.”

“What did my father tell you, and what are you supposed to tell us?” Harriet asked him.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on your house, and I can confirm that your uncle, mother, and my aunt are in there,” Scott told her.

“Scott keeps an eye on all the houses when we’re away,” Harriet told Finn. “He has security systems covering the driveway and all entrances to the houses.”

“Creepy,” Finn said. “But as long as it’s only the exits, I guess it’s a necessity considering the high-profile people who live in the houses.”

“Don’t worry; the system only switches over to mine when there’s no one in the house,” Scott told him. “That’s how I know someone was in Harriet’s house, as the system alerted me that someone had entered their house.”

“Which means whoever went in there didn’t know how to switch off the alarm that alerts you security,” Harriet told him.

“Yup.” Scott nodded. “Here.” He pulled out his phone and showed them the video footage. “While the people who I assume kidnapped your uncle, mother, and my aunt don’t seem too frightening, those heavily armed guards kinda do.”

Harriet watched the footage, and Finn saw her frown. He also didn’t like the look of the light that seemed to switch on in her eyes. She turned toward Finn, smiling.

“How about pizza?” Harriet asked.

Finn’s frown deepened as he looked at her confused.

“No, Harriet!” Scott’s brows shot up, and he looked at Harriet warningly. “This isn’t a party that you can ruin by ordering two hundred pizzas.”

“What?” Finn’s brow creased even more.

“Long story,” Harriet told him. “No time to tell it.” She looked at Scott and held out her hand. “I need your phone and that card of yours that is registered to the fake name you use so your wife doesn’t know you still eat pizza.”

“I hate you sometimes,” Scott told her, slapping his phone in her hand and pulling out his wallet.

“Aww,” Harriet said, pulling a face. “Thank you, Scottie.”

Scott sighed and frowned.

“What’s going on?” Finn was almost afraid to ask.

“You’re about to see your fiancée at her finest,” Scott told him. “She’s about to drive the kidnappers and their guards crazy with a huge pizza delivery order.”

“Can one of your security detail make the delivery?” Harriet asked Scott.

“I’ll organize it,” Scott told her. “But only if you promise to stay here and don’t do anything crazy.”

“Sure,” Harriet said with a nod. “I’ll do that.”

“No, you won’t!” Finn and Scott said in unison before smiling at each other.

“Of course I will,” Harriet told them. “My uncle and my mother are in that house with armed goons and two crazy people.” Her eyes looked like they meant what she was saying, and Finn really wanted to trust that. “I won’t do anything to jeopardize that.”

“You know, Harry, you seem to forget, I’ve known you your whole life,” Scott told her. “While I see Finn is wanting to believe you, I just outright don’t.”

“Fine!” Harriet hissed. “Of course, I’m not just going to sit here and wait.” She took over the mission like a queen. “You’ll get your guards to deliver the pizza for a party. You know the wrong address scam.”

“While the one guard is dealing with the door, my security detail will neutralize them all,” Scott picked up the plan.

“Finn and I will go in the secret way,” Harriet told him. “Which you will come through with the rest of your small army.” She shook her head when she saw Finn was about to ask. “Since Alex’s sister Bailey was kidnapped, everyone on this road is overly paranoid.”

“That’s why I can assure you, Finn, your children are safe here,” Scott told him.

“Thank you,” Finn said. “I’m nervous with them only a house away.”

“Don’t worry,” Harriet assured him. “The moment Rambo here realized there was a threat, you can bet he doubled down on all security.”

“Harriet’s right,” Scott said with a nod. “No one will get kidnapped or killed on my watch.”

Finn’s brows creased.

“Another story for another day,” Harriet explained. “Right now, we need to focus on the plan and get to Dawn’s house.” She started to dial a number. “Oh, sorry, first we order pizza.”

“Oh great,” Finn said. “Is it weird that I’m hungry now?”

“No,” Scott said, shaking his head. “I am, too.” He looked at Harriet. “Ah, right.” He grinned. “This way.”

Scott led them through the house and into the en suite bathroom. He pressed against a floor-to-ceiling mirror, and it popped open. Scott pulled it back to reveal a secret passageway.

“It was reopened!” Harriet’s eyes lit up in delight as she turned to Finn. “Come on.”

His frown deepened as Finn realized she was enjoying this way too much. He followed her into the dark tunnel, which, to his surprise, lit up as soon as Harriet stepped into it.

“Well, that’s no fun,” Harriet said in disappointment. “I was sure we’d need flashlights.’

“Listen here, Veronica Mars,” Scott said from behind them, “if we’re going to keep the bootleg tunnels open, they’re going to have sensor lights in them.”

“You’re just scared of the dark,” Harriet called from up front.

“No, I’m not,” Scott denied it. “But I am scared of falling to my death in the dark.”

“Because that’s what’s going to happen in a fortified tunnel,” Harriet shook her head. “Oh, I see you’ve marked the way to our houses.” She pointed to where the tunnel forked in different directions.

“Yes, this way, if Brad or Ethan ever have to use them, they won’t get lost,” Scott said. “I’ll move to my house, you go to yours. Watch my window for the signal.”

“Okay,” Harriet said with a nod.

Scott went toward the Vanderbilt house, and Harriet led Finn toward her family home.

“Does this tunnel come out in a bathroom too?” Finn asked her.

“No, it comes out in the basement,” Harriet told him. “Which is actually a wine cellar now.”

“Nice. At least we get to have some wine if we get trapped there,” Finn said.

“We won’t get trapped there,” Harriet assured him. “At least not for long. Scott will come find us.” She stopped and frowned. “Although he might leave us there for a few hours to get some payback for all the times Alex and I locked him in there.”

“The more of your childhood stories I hear, the more frightened I become,” Finn teased.

“Oh, we weren’t children,” Harriet told Finn. “We were in our thirties and fighting when Scott came to break it up. We didn’t appreciate the interruption, so we locked him in.”

“Ah,” Finn said and nodded. “Your families are very close.”

“Yes, we are,” Harriet confirmed. “It was nice because when our parents were off working, we always had each other.” She stopped in front of a door. “We’re here. We just have to give Scott a few minutes to unlock it for us.”

“He can do that remotely?” Finn asked.

“Yes, he has all the tunnels linked to his security system,” Harriet told Finn.

A light clicked, and the door opened. Harriet led Finn into a very impressive wine cellar complete with large fridges for the white wine, a few spirits, and beers.

“Wow!” Finn said as he followed Harriet through the neat rows and up some stairs to a door. “Can Scott get us through this door as well?”

“No, I can.” Harriet pushed a panel on the wall, and a keypad popped up. “My father ensured no one would get locked down here. You can open the door from both sides.”

“Smart,” Finn said as Harriet punched in a code, and the door slid open. “Where does this come out?”

“In the games room.” Harriet lowered her voice and popped her head out.

“Why don’t you let me go first?” Finn said.

“Because you don’t know where you’re going, and I’ve snuck in and out of this house millions of times.”

“It’s a very nice house, what I can see of it in the dark,” Finn said.

“Thanks.” Harriet was distracted as they made their way toward the stairs, where they stopped and listened for a sound. “If I had to guess, I’d say my mother, Uncle Titus, and Faith have been taken to the main living room.”

“But we’re obviously not going to storm it until Scott gives the signal,” Finn reminded her.

“Right!” Harriet nodded. “We can see his signal from upstairs.”

“Why don’t I believe you?” Finn asked, but he followed her, not wanting to leave her alone.

They walked down a long hallway until they saw a light at the end of it.

“They’re in there,” Harriet whispered and flattened herself against the wall before pulling Finn into a cloak closet. “We’ll wait here for the signal.”

“How are we going to see the signal?” Finn asked, confused. They were standing close together. He could feel the warmth of her skin against his.

“It’s when the pizza delivery arrives,” Harriet told him.

Their eyes met in the dark room, only slightly lit by the moonlight that filtered through the large windows. Before Finn could stop himself, his lips met hers, and he pulled Harriet closer as her arms wound around his neck. For a few moments, they let the world and danger around them disappear until the sound of the doorbell rang through the hall, forcing them apart.

They stood for a few moments, catching their breath and staring at each other.

“I know this isn’t the right time for this,” Finn said. “But in case something happens, I don’t want to regret not saying this.” He moved a stray lock behind her ear. “When I was a young man, this crazy teenager with flashing green eyes and a bandanna covering the bottom of her mouth stole a part of my heart and rode away with it.” Their eyes locked. “Years later, I met her again, and she stole the rest of it.” He smiled. “I wasn’t lying when I proposed to you in front of your uncle. Everything I said I meant. I’m so in love with you, Harriet.”

“Really?” Harriet’s eyes widened. “While you do pick your moments,” she smiled, “I’ve always had a giant crush on you. In fact, if you go to my bedroom, there’s still a poster of you on my wall.” Before he could say anything, she put her finger over his lips. “I love you too, Finn. I just wish we could’ve done this in a more romantic setting.” She smiled.

Their lips barely touched to seal their confession of love; a commotion in the hallway about a big order of pizza for a party drew them apart.

“That’s our cue,” Harriet told him, giving him a quick kiss. “We’re going to dash into two different doors. You’re going to go into the next door on the left and keep hidden until I call you and Scott.”

Before he could ask her what she was going to do, she kissed him. “Be careful.”

She slipped out of the room so quickly, leaving him staring after her. When Finn crept out of the room, he froze for a few seconds, and his heart nearly stopped beating. He was about to leap forward and protect Harriet when he was grabbed from behind.

“It’s Scott,” he said into Finn’s ear. “This way.” He pulled Finn into the door Harriet had told him to go into as they heard voices.

“Harriet! I should’ve known. Take her into the living room with the rest of her family and get rid of that pizza guy. I didn’t order pizza.”

Harriet’s heart hammered in her chest when she turned to see that Finn was about to leap to her rescue. She breathed in relief when she saw Scott pull him into the next room right before Harriet was pushed into the living room.

“Harriet!” Julie called. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“You shouldn’t be here, Harry,” Titus told her.

“How’s your father?” Julie asked.

“He’s fine,” Harriet assured her. “How are you all?”

“We’re fine,” Julie assured her.

Harriet’s eyes landed on Faith. “Are you okay, Faith?”

“Yes, thank you, Harriet,” Faith said, nodding, and that’s when Harriet saw the ring on her finger.

“I knew it was too good to be true.” Harriet’s eyes fell on the other person sitting near her family. “I believe you, Estelle.”

“Harriet,” Julie whispered. “It’s not what you think.”

“I was trying to save your mother and uncle,” Estelle told Harriet. “I only played along with the plan to get to them.”

“Estelle is telling the truth,” Julie told Harriet. “The poor girl needs stitches in her head where she was hit trying to warn us. But then Sam and your father had that wretched sleeping powder blown in their faces.”

“That’s why Sam didn’t go with Liam,” Harriet said softly.

“The chemist will be here soon, and then we can finish this…” That voice had always grated on Harriet’s nerves.

She turned and stood up from the sofa she had been shoved onto next to her mother and uncle. “What do you want, Gloria?“ Harriet’s eyes narrowed as she walked toward the woman.

“What should’ve been mine to begin with,” Gloria sneered. “When everyone else is out of the way, I’ll have the life that I was supposed to have before your mother came along.”

“You want to marry my uncle and be queen?” Harriet asked, her eyes widened in realization as she turned to Titus. “You and Faith were flying to Las Vegas to get married?”

“Harriet, I don’t think this is the time,” Titus said, moving his head toward Gloria.

She turned back toward the woman. “It looks like my uncle doesn’t want to marry you.”

“I don’t want to marry Titus!” Gloria said in disgust. “I want to marry the man who was promised to me before your mother stole him from me.”

Harriet ignored the gasps from behind her. “You want to marry my father?” she spluttered and glanced at the people in the living room. “He’s already married, and if you’re trying to get my uncle to divorce them and give you his blessing. I don’t think after you’ve kidnapped them, that’s going to happen.”

“Don’t be so naive, Harriet,” Gloria drawled. “Your father will be king again now that your brother is dead, and soon, your uncle will be too.” She glanced at Faith. “This is nothing personal, Faith. I have nothing against you, but unfortunately, you’re just collateral damage.”

“Mean!” Harriet flicked her index finger in the air.

“What do you mean Gray is dead?” Julie’s voice was hoarse with emotion. “What have you done, you crazy cow?”

“I tested this new poison I had a chemist develop for me,” Gloria told her with an evil smile on her face. “Besides, Pat and I don’t need a son. I already have an heir for him for the throne.”

“Leon?” Harriet snorted, and anger flashed in Gloria’s eyes. “He couldn’t run a party in a brewery. Your son’s an idiot.”

“Don’t you talk about my Leon like that,” Gloria shouted and slapped Harriet across the face.

Her cheek stung as her head flew to the side.

“Harriet!” Julie flew off the sofa, but Harriet stopped her.

“No, Mom, I’m fine. Stay back with Uncle Titus.” Harriet smiled at her mother. “I’ve got this.”

“Gloria, stop this,” Estelle shouted at her. “Have you completely lost your mind? You’re also still married to my uncle.”

“Not for long.” Gloria’s eyes turned to chips of ice.

“What did you do to my son?” Julie growled.

“Mom!” Harriet pushed her mother back onto the sofa and whispered, “Gray is fine, but play along.”

“I don’t like this, Harriet,” Julie whispered back.

Harriet stood and faced Gloria once again. “So everything that happened on Plum Island these past few days was you?”

“It was never the plan for you to marry Leon. You’re nowhere near good enough for him,” Gloria sneered.

“I thought you were going to disown him,” Estelle said.

“Never!” Gloria told her, looking at Estelle in disgust. “I told you that to test your loyalty, and you proved once again how ungrateful you are for everything I did for you.”

“Everything you did for her?” Harriet’s anger boiled over as she stepped between them. “You’ve done nothing but manipulate Estelle and rub it in her face. She was a child when she came to you. You and your husband were her only relatives that could look after her.”

“And look how she’s betrayed us.” Gloria’s eyes filled with disappointment when she looked at Estelle. “Well, now you’re cut off. You are no longer a Gladstone. You will have nothing from us. Nothing!”

“I don’t want anything from you!” Estelle’s voice wobbled with emotion, and Harriet’s heart broke for the woman.

The doorbell rang again.

“That should be the chemist,” Gloria’s face lit up as she looked at everyone in the room. “Don’t worry, it’s not that painful a death.” She looked at Harriet. “I’m glad you dropped in because it saves me having to try and kill you again. I wish I could find whoever pulled the fire alarm and thwarted my plans that night. The sleeping powder in the dose I put in your bed should’ve killed you.”

“You didn’t pull the fire alarm?” Harriet frowned.

“I did!” Estelle said. “I heard Gloria say she was going to make sure you didn’t stand in her way again. She was on the way to your room, so I pulled the fire alarm. I didn’t know she had the sleeping powder until she paid me a visit earlier.”

“You little meddling brat!” Gloria hissed.

A commotion erupted in the entrance hall once again.

“What is going on!” Gloria turned and glared warningly at everyone in the room. “Don’t try anything because the men have been told to shoot, and I don’t want to clean up that mess.”

“That’s really cold,” Harriet told her, stopping her from walking out of the room.

“Cold?” Gloria spun, and her eyes blazed with hatred. “You have no idea what I’ve had to put up with since your father jilted me for your mother.”

“Actually, my father didn’t jilt you.” Harriet knew she was teasing a snake, but she had to keep Gloria busy while Scott and his men took out her guards. “He was never going to marry you because he already knew just how crazy you were.”

“Harriet!” Julie warned.

“Why you…” Gloria’s eyes went from blazing to nuclear eruption as she pounced at Harriet, who quickly stepped out of the way.

Gloria missed, and before she could swing back around, Harriet grabbed her and twisted her arm painfully behind her back.

“See what you’ve made me do,” Harriet said to her. “You’ve made me attack an older person.”

“My guards will shoot you,” Gloria told her. “Let me go.”

“Not a chance,” Harriet told her. “You’ve hurt my father, my brother, my mother, and a lot of other people I care about. You’re not going anywhere but to a nice padded prison cell.”

“Let Lady Gloria go,” a deep voice said, and something cold was pushed against Harriet’s back.

“Harriet!” Finn’s voice called from the other side of the room.

The next few minutes went by in a blur as the man behind her crumpled to the floor, and she turned to see Estelle had hit him with a brass candlestick. Gunshots echoed through the entry hall. Finn and Scott turned and ran towards it.

“Secure these two,” Harriet pushed Gloria toward her mother and Titus, who had stood and come to Harriet’s side.

More gunshots echoed through the entry hall, and Harriet’s heart went wild as she thought of Finn. As she cleared the living room door, her breath caught in her throat when she saw Finn lying on the floor, struggling beneath a huge thug.

“Finn!” Harriet yelled and, without a thought for her own safety, ran toward him. “Help me!” she called as she tried to pull the big man off Finn.

Scott appeared by her side and pulled the thug from Finn.

“Finn!” Harriet ran her hands over him.

“I’m fine,” Finn assured her. “Pushing himself up and wincing as he grabbed his head. “Just bumped my head when the man tackled me. I managed to wrangle his gun, but it went off.”

They turned and saw it was the man who had tackled him who had been shot. Harriet helped him to his feet. “Are you sure you’re alright?” Her eyes scanned him.

“I’m fine. Are you alright?” Finn asked her.

“I’m fine,” Harriet assured him. “Everyone that’s here is fine.”

Before she could say anything more, Finn dragged her to him, and their lips locked together in a soul-shattering kiss filled with emotion. When he pulled away, their foreheads were pushed together.

“Let’s not do this ever again,” Finn suggested. “You nearly stopped my heart by doing what you did.”

“And what about you?” Harriet accused. “You went for that trained killer. You could’ve been the one to get shot.”

“I love you!” Finn said. “And if it means saving you, I’d do it again.”

“I love you too,” Harriet told him, cupping his face with her hands. “I would take on a million grizzly bears to save you too.”

“Let’s maybe not do any of this,” Finn reasoned with a chuckle. “That way, we can live a long, happy life together with my kids, who need us.”

“Us?” Harriet looked at him wide-eyed while her heartbeat picked up speed, and Finn dropped to his knee.

“Will you marry me, Harriet?” Finn asked. “I don’t have the ring, but I’ll do this all over again when I do.”

“No!” Harriet shook her head, and Finn frowned. “No… I mean, yes… I will.” Darn, bumbling tongue! She took a breath. “Let me start again. Yes, I’ll marry you. But no, I don’t want you to do it again because this is perfect.”

Finn stood and pulled her to him, crushing her lips with his. In the background, Harriet vaguely heard the voices of the people around them.

“I thought you were already engaged?” Scott said.

“I’ll explain it later, Scott,” Julie’s voice came from behind them.

“I hope you’ll include all of us in that explanation,” Titus said.

“Let’s give these two some space,” Julie ordered. “Scott, call the police.”

“I have already. They’ll be here any minute,” Scott told her.

“Harriet, Finn.” Estelle’s voice drew their gazes away from each other, and they turned toward her. “Thank you for everything. I wanted you to know that I’ve instructed the bank manager to sell Gladstone Acres to your family.”

“Thank you, Estelle,” Harriet said to her. “You were really brave, and now you can have happiness ever after, too, with Murphy.”

Estelle nodded and followed Julie into the living room.

“See, I told you she’s not all bad,” Harriet teased Finn.

“Time will tell,” Finn said with a slow smile. “Do you think we could have part of our honeymoon here in the beach house we barely spent two minutes in?”

“Seriously?” Harriet’s eyes widened. “You want to have a honeymoon here where I grew up?”

“Yeah, sorry, that was stupid,” Finn said, shaking his head.

“Are you kidding me?” Harriet’s eyes widened. “I think that’s a brilliant idea.”

“Do you think it’s too soon to get married the week after Alex and Daniella?” Finn asked.

“I don’t know,” Harriet said. “Alex would be annoyed if we didn’t invite him to the wedding.”

“Then why don’t you just have a real wedding with him when he renews his vows with Daniella?” Alex’s voice came from the front door.

“That’s a great idea,” Daniella said, standing beside him.

Finn and Harriet spun around in time to see police and the royal security detail flood her house.

“Uh, oh, busted!” Harriet grinned, and Finn put his arm around her, pulling her to his side.

“Yup.” Finn nodded. “But I don’t think this is going to be the last time we say that.”

“No, my friend, you can count on that.” Alex laughed, patting Finn’s shoulder. “Good luck.” He laughed and walked off with Daniella to join everyone else in the living room.

“Have I told you how much I love you?” Finn asked as he pulled Harriet into the larger cloakroom near the front door and wrapped his arms around her.

“Not in the last five minutes.” Harriet circled his neck with her arms.

“Then let me show you.” Finn’s lips met hers, and all the commotion happening in the rooms around them faded into the distance.

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