Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
PRESTON
Preston sat in the chair at the desk in Harmony’s hotel room and bent to tie his shoes. She’d left already, off to a meeting with Travis Weaver. She’d seemed nervous about it—maybe that was why she’d texted earlier, why she’d been delighted to hear that Lacey was at Mason’s and Preston was free for a couple hours. Hopefully she was feeling a bit more relaxed now, after what they’d gotten up to in this very chair. And then the bed.
He was feeling better about his own upcoming meeting. Seeing Harmony stand up to the Weavers made him feel ready to tackle anything. The way she’d spoken up for Nina and Jordan made him more sure than ever of his love for her. She’d been fucking glorious. Harmony was such a force of nature, and behind all the brash business tactics and free ice cream cones, she was just as exuberantly kindhearted and used it for good. Preston would never ask her to give any of that up, even if he hated that her job would soon take her away. She never would, anyway. He was only glad to get to share it with her at least for a little while.
He was also glad to have the chance to leave something he’d gotten for Harmony in her room as a surprise. It was the only way he could tell her everything, without demanding what he didn’t deserve. He slung his bag on, smiling despite himself, and headed out the door, into the slanting late-afternoon sun, making sure to pull the handle until it locked.
“Hey, man, this isn’t Harmony’s room?”
Preston turned to see a man about his age stopped at the top of the stairs to this floor, in jeans and a T-shirt, tattoos over his white skin. He didn’t recognize him, and he wasn’t about to point out anyone’s hotel room to someone anyway, so he just shrugged. Harmony dealt with a lot of people for the festival.
“Nah, couldn’t be the same room.” The man shook his head, rubbing his neck with one palm. “Shit, I was really hoping to say hi before hitting the road again.”
“Can’t help you.” Preston made for the stairs.
The guy sidestepped in front of him. His eyes narrowed. “You sure you don’t know Harmony? Might be using a different name. They said in town she was going by Hale here, that’s a new one. Big girl, but still hot.”
Preston’s lips pressed in a line. Who the fuck was this guy, and who the fuck did he think he was talking about Harmony that way?
The man’s mouth curled up at one side. “You do know her. Aw, man, so what’s her angle with you?”
“What?” Preston was lost. No script, not even a cast of characters to help him figure out what the hell was going on.
“You don’t look that rich.” The man tapped a fist on the metal stair railing. “Look, I did what I came here for, but I’d hoped to catch Harmony too. Give that bitch what she deserves.” Now Preston’s entire body clenched. The guy seemed totally at ease as he cast a glance down to the parking lot. “But I gotta get back to the city before my goddamn probation officer knows I’ve been gone. So. Warning a mark off is gonna have to do.” He actually smiled at Preston. “I’m gonna do you a solid today. Hopefully you’re worth more than you look—I’d love to cost her something big.”
There was nothing confusing about the anger sparking all through Preston. “What the hell, man?”
“Oh.” The guy laughed. “She’s got you wrapped around her finger, right? Her specialty. Landed me in fucking jail with that shit.”
“I think you must be looking for someone else—”
“No. I saw her in a picture online at the library in this town, tracked her down here. It’s her. Get it through your skull, if you don’t want her taking off with all your money.” The guy angled his close-shaven head, leaning forward, setting the chain he wore swinging. “She’s a con woman. A thief.”
No. None of this made sense. Harmony worked promoting concerts. Preston didn’t even have any money. This guy was mistaken, on drugs, on a prank show, something. “You’re wrong. I’m not rich, I’m a librarian.”
“Huh, yeah, she always did have that thing for books.”
“This can’t be the same Harmony.” It couldn’t. It couldn’t.
“You’re far gone, huh? Maybe I should stick around, see if she comes back.”
Preston was still utterly at sea, but one thing clicked clearly into place for him. This guy intended to hurt Harmony somehow. And he had a probation officer in the city.
Having recently been punched by Raymond Vickes did not make what he did next any easier. Preston, who until this month had never in his life been in a physical fight, who was supposed to be a pacifist, dammit , knew how much this was going to hurt. Probably worse, judging by this guy’s build. He was shorter than Preston, though giant biceps likely made up for that when it came to punching.
But nothing for it. He shoved hard at the guy.
All those muscles coiled with dangerous intention. Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck— The other man immediately shoved back, knocking Preston into the hallway wall. He braced one arm across Preston’s chest and lifted his other with a fist. “I’m telling you, man, she’s not worth it. I lost six months for her. You wanna lose your fucking face?”
Ignoring his pulse lashing in his ears, Preston jerked his head at the security camera in the eaves over the stairs. “You want to go back to jail for her?” The guy stared at the camera. Come on, put the pieces together, genius. “What were you saying about probation? Probably not great to be recorded assaulting someone in a county where you’re not supposed to be.”
The man gave Preston another hard shove, before backing off.
Preston struggled down a breath. “Better hurry home.”
“Fuck you. And fuck her.” But he tromped down the stairs.
Preston’s shoulders slumped down against the wall. What the fuck had just happened?