Chapter 1 #2
“Because hiding in plain sight is the smart thing to do. People won’t expect to see you, so they don’t. When I say your old life is dangerous, traceable, I mean it. Harper Frazer has a target on her back. I’ll not have you put the men I’m assigning to you at risk.”
“Assigning me?”
“A specialist protection unit will be close at hand. You are not to interact with them, but know they’re there, watching, ensuring your safety.”
I open my mouth, but she turns towards the man standing behind her, a man who has stared straight ahead the whole time we’ve been talking.
He glances down and hands her another envelope.
I groan, earning myself a scowl.
She pulls out a document.
“This sets out strict behavioural rules and serves as a memorandum of understanding. It states you agree to adopt Brooke Feldmann’s persona, stay off all social media, and cut ties with everyone previously linked to Harper Frazer. This will remain in place until an as-yet-undisclosed date.”
“Friends and social media, I can do. Family, that’s never going to happen. They’ll worry about me. If I disappear without a trace, they’ll stop at nothing to find me. As you yourself said, Mum is expecting certain things. Contact and regular updates are among them.”
She stops, weighing me up.
“Fine,” she says, pursing her lips. “I take it Penelope gave you a secure phone.”
My jaw drops.
How the hell does she know that?
“There’s no point in denying it,” she says. I get the impression she’s enjoying my discomfort. A power trip.
“I’ll concede,” she says, taking the document and adding a handwritten point before pushing it back towards me. “But there’s to be no contact with anyone outside your direct family, and only on the designated phone Ms Dawson provided. Do I make myself clear?”
I nod.
“Sign here. I need you to understand the severity of everything we’ve discussed.”
“I’m not signing anything,” I say. “Not without my lawyer checking it over first. I’m a Frazer. Not some na?ve fool.”
I glance across the aisle at Kris, who has remained silent throughout. Does he know this woman?
“You will, or I will withdraw my offer of protection, and you can take your chances. How long do you think you’ll be in the USA before it’s flagged that your passport was used to enter the country? It shouldn’t, but are you willing to take the risk?”
She doesn’t need to say any more.
Fuck!
I snatch up the paper and take my time reading it. It’s not long or complicated.
It states that I acknowledge the danger I’m in and will implement the safety measures set out. Adopt a new identity, avoid all social media, and not reveal my true identity to anyone aside from Sophia Bianchi. In return, His Majesty’s Government will provide a protection team.
“So, I’m in witness protection? Don’t you think having burly guys following me around will draw its own attention?” I ask, my eyes darting to the guy standing behind her. “No offence.”
He glances down, then looks straight ahead again, his lips twitching.
“You won’t know they’re there. They’ll be living in the apartment opposite,” she says. “You’re to ignore them at all times unless there’s an emergency.”
“And if there’s an emergency?”
She harrumphs.
“In the case of a genuine emergency, you can approach them in their apartment. Otherwise, it’s better that you don’t know what they look like. Glances and acknowledgements will give you and them away. Just know they’re there should you need them.”
I rub my thumb and forefinger over my brow.
“Kris?”
He takes the document and scans it.
“It’s your choice, Harper. I will help you any way I can.”
I’ve only met him twice before today. Pen was his fiancée before she left him for my older brother, Elijah. They appear to be friends, but can I trust him? Pen was adamant that I could.
I’ve always been self-reliant and resourceful, but if what this woman says is true, then I may need all the help I can get.
“I’ll do it,” I say, snatching up the pen she’s placed on the table and signing my name.
She smiles, taking the page and placing it back in the envelope.
“I wish you luck, Brooke. Spend the next few hours learning your new life.” She stands, then looks down, holding my gaze. “I’ll try my best to get you back to your old life as quickly as possible.”
“But until then?” I prompt.
“Keep your head down, and for pity’s sake, stay safe.”
She steps out from behind the table and makes her way to the plane door.
She pauses, and I wonder if she’s going to say anything else, but she doesn’t. Instead, she exits, making her way down the steps.
Seconds later, the plane door slams shut, and the engines roar to life. I stare out the window as she climbs into the back of a vehicle with her henchmen, and it drives off.
Kris moves into the seat opposite as we begin taxiing up the runway.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“I don’t know.” Staring at the manila envelope in front of me, I let out a sigh. “Ask me again in seven hours.”
“Can I say something?”
“Certainly,” I say.
“Remember, whatever anyone calls you, you’re still Harper Frazer inside. No one can take that away from you. Pen always said you have the heart of a lion. I can see why. You’re brave and resilient, with one hell of a tenacious spirit. Don’t forget that. Use it.”
“You’re basically saying, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.” I sigh. “The only problem with that is I hate lemonade.”
Kris chuckles, and I smile as I appreciate what he’s trying to do. I also know he’s right.
“However, I do like lemon drizzle cake, and a gin and tonic with an added slice.”
“There you go.” His smile widens. “Even The Seamstress, whoever she is, said you’re resourceful. You’ve got this, Harper.”
“You’re telling me to make the most of it?”
“I don’t see that you have any choice. The path forward rests with you.
” His expression darkens. “Life sucks, and we can’t always see beyond the hurt and pain.
What happened to you isn’t fair, but life rarely is.
Take it from someone who knows. From where I’m sitting, you’ve got two options.
You can either embrace Brooke or reject her.
It’s up to you to decide which works best for you. ”
I stare at him for a moment.
“Why are you doing this?”
He smiles, his eyes never leaving mine. “Pen was never my destiny.”
“That’s pretty profound for a man who just lost his fiancée to another man.”
I don’t know why I’m pushing him. Maybe it’s to see if he’s genuinely on my side.
“Maybe, but I believe your brother is hers.”
For once, I have no answer.
“Let me ask you this,” he says. “If that’s truly what I believe, am I right or wrong in letting her go?”
“Lemon drizzle cake?” I ask.
“Exactly. I think you’re going to be fine.”