Chapter 8 #2
The million-dollar question.
“Best you don’t ask that around here,” I whisper, nudging her as I lead her toward the backyard.
She sighs, and her heels sink into the soft grass. I grab her elbow, keeping her steady. Her legs are bare, the dress just above her knees. She’s got to be freezing. She didn’t even bother to button her coat. “You didn’t know the party would be outside, did you?”
“Nova didn’t mention it,” Harper says. “I should have probably asked. I’m a little overdressed for a slumber party, but I just came from—”
“A hot date?” I guess, hoping that I’m dead wrong.
Harper shakes her head no and smiles. “A job interview for an internship for next semester.”
And she wore that ensemble? It’s sexy, breathtaking, and makes her look hot, and sure, it could be seen as professional. It’s not exactly shimmery or revealing too much cleavage. It’s just so red that it screams hot and sexy to me, but everything she wears looks good on her.
I’ve also never seen her in a dress before today, and the longer I stare at her, the more I feel like a bull ready to charge.
My cock certainly notices every curve on her luscious body.
“I brought a pair of pajamas for tonight to change into, but I forgot to pack another set of clothes unless I wear tomorrow’s outfit now…” her voice trails off as she realizes her mistake.
“You can borrow something of mine,” I offer.
Harper’s eyes lighten up, relieved. “Are you sure?”
“It’s fine. I have a duffel bag around back. Take whatever you need.” I didn’t exactly bring extra clothes, but I’ll make do with what I have.
“Thanks.”
“Come on, I’ll take you inside and show you where you can get changed,” I say.
While I don’t want to step foot inside the compound, I knew it was inevitable.
And I’d rather keep an eye on Harper, protect her, than let anything happen to her.
Not that I’d suspect my father of ever laying a finger on her.
He’s not that type of monster.
He orders hits and has other men do the killing.
I grab my bag from the back porch and lead Harper inside. “Is Nova here yet?” Harper asks, still holding on to the birthday present.
“Not yet,” I say and shake my head. “Haven’t seen her, but I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”
“I am a little early. The interview ended before I thought it would, and then I caught the earlier train, and honestly, I was just hoping I could sit down and relax for a few minutes before all her friends show up. Sometimes I get nervous around new people.”
I never knew Harper had anxiety. Is that why she doesn’t come to the parties that we throw?
“Well, I’m here,” I offer and lead her inside. “I’m not new.” I hold the door for her, and once she’s inside, I close it and lead her down the hallway, past the first door on the left and to the second door, which is the guest bathroom.
I offer her my entire wardrobe, my duffel bag, and bring it into the bathroom, placing it on the long bathroom sink counter for her. “Take whatever you need. Make sure you dress warm since we’ll be outside for a bit. Ashton and I are going to get a bonfire started soon for you girls.”
“Oh, that sounds perfect,” Harper says with a smile as she unzips my bag and retrieves the box of condoms lying on top. “Were you planning on something?” she asks pointedly, tilting her head as she stares up at me.
“Better to be safe than sorry.” I laugh and back out of the bathroom, leaving her to search through my bag while I wait in the hallway for her to finish changing.
I lean against the wall, mentally chastising myself for bringing the entire box of condoms from home. One or two would have sufficed, since it’s not as though anything has happened between Harper and me.
Yes, I’ve wanted it to happen. Every time I stare into her eyes, smell her sweet scent, or brush up against her, I have wanton thoughts of her naked and writhing between the sheets.
I’ve been playing it slow because I know that’s what she needs, but it’s agonizing and tearing me up inside, the desire building like a volcano ready to erupt.
And I swear she feels it too.
“Luca,” Moreno says as he walks by, carrying a set of papers with him. “It’s good to see you home for Nova’s birthday party.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I say, putting on a forced smile. While I love Nova, if it hadn’t been for Harper showing up, I wouldn’t be here.
Last year, Nova and I celebrated her birthday at the lake. I bought her a new set of ice skates and we went skating. It was a nice gift and an easy way to stay out of the compound. This year, I wasn’t as lucky.
“Dante will be pleased to see you,” Moreno says, and his eyes crinkle just a bit, as though he’s realizing that he may not even believe his own words.
“You and I both know that isn’t quite fact.”
“He does care for you, in his own way,” he says.
He has to defend Dante. After all, he works for him, is second in command, and would do anything to protect the don.
“We both know I grew up to be a disappointment to him.” I don’t pretend otherwise. It would be foolish to think Dante loves me. He loves my mother, although I’ll never know how a man so cold as him can love anyone. I fold my arms across my chest, leaning back against the wall.
The bathroom door opens, and Moreno glances at the open door to reveal Harper.
She’s wearing my Evergreen University sweatshirt, which is big on her but looks absolutely sinful, and my sweatpants that I planned to wear around here for bed.
Usually, I sleep in boxers or in the buff, which might end up happening after all.
“And who is this young lady?” Moreno asks, raising a curious eye at the strange blonde and then at me.
“I’m Harper,” she says, holding out her hand to introduce herself.
“She’s my girlfriend,” I say, stepping closer to Harper protectively.
While I don’t think Moreno would cause any harm to come to her, I also don’t want to take any chances.
I also know that Nova’s parents aren’t aware that she’s been spending a bit of time at the university with us, and I’m trying to keep her out of further trouble.
Harper catches my stare and gives me a quizzical look. “Yes,” she says and doesn’t further elaborate. She hands me back my bag of clothes. “Thanks,” she says, staring at me, and leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.
If she’s playing the doting fake girlfriend, then I could definitely get on board with this scenario.
The backdoor swings open, and Mom comes waltzing inside with Nova behind her.
“Nova!” Moreno says, pleased to see his daughter. “You’re home late. You’ve already got guests attending your party.”
“We’re hardly guests,” I say, “just me and my girlfriend.” I grab Harper’s hand before she can think twice about this situation and intertwine our fingers together.
Nova tilts her head slightly, a look of confusion on her face, and I’m not sure if she’s well aware of the game we’re playing for her benefit.
“Honey, you didn’t tell me you were dating anyone,” Mom says, her eyes wide with excitement as she hurries across the hallway and toward Harper.
I want to apologize to Harper, but the words don’t come, and instead, Mom grabs Harper and pulls her into a hug, yanking our hands free. The duffel bag between us falls to the floor in a heap, which is pretty much how I feel, a bit out of sorts. And this is entirely my doing.
Nova stalks over to me, giving me a look that says what the fuck are you up to? Is this for real?
I hurry over to Nova, embracing her in a hug. “Long time, no see,” I say and whisper into her ear, “I’m trying to protect you since they don’t know you’ve been visiting us.”
“Thanks,” Nova whispers.
“We brought you a present,” I say and nod toward the gift that Harper is holding.
Harper shoots daggers at me as she hands the gift bag over to Nova. “You did not help in the least bit with this gift,” my fake girlfriend sells me out. “I asked you what I should get her, and you blew me off.”
“Sounds just like my son,” Mom says. “Come on into the kitchen. Let’s grab some hot cocoa.”
“Mom, Ashton is outside, and we should get the bonfire started soon.”
“Bonfire?” Nova asks, glancing at me, confused.
“Yeah, I know you wanted a sleepover, you kept texting me how you wanted to do a girls' night, and I thought it’d be great to make a huge bonfire and maybe do a sleeping under the stars party for your birthday.”
“It’s a bit cold outside for that,” Mom points out, and I know she’s right.
“I could run out to the store and buy a couple of tents for the kids,” Moreno offers.
“We’re not kids,” Nova huffs. “We’ll enjoy the bonfire and then we can crash in my room. There’s plenty of space for the party. Ember and Violetta already canceled. Right now, it’s just the three of us.”
“Four,” I say.
Nova gives me a confused look.
“Ashton is outside,” I say.
Nova nods. “Oh, right.”
Moreno rubs at his jaw. “If your friends aren’t spending the night, then I’m sure these guys don’t want to all crash in your bedroom. We’ll make sure the guest rooms are ready for this evening.”
“That isn’t necessary,” I say.
“Where do you plan on sleeping?” Mom asks.
“After the bonfire, we were planning on driving back to university and spending the night at home,” I say.
“Nonsense,” Mom says. “This is your home.”
Moreno clears his throat. “Then why did you and Ashton both bring duffel bags with you?” His stare alone reminds me that he’s interrogated men for a living.
“We’d love to stay over,” Harper says, cutting the tension with a smile. She wraps her arm around my waist, pulling me against her. “Wouldn’t we, babe?” Leaning up on her tiptoes, she plants another soft, chaste kiss on my cheek.
She has no idea what’s happening, the intensity of which I’m dying inside every minute under this roof reminds me of the hell I’ve witnessed and the bloodshed I’ve seen. I tried to bury it, move on, and forget the things I saw as a child in the basement.
Harper has no idea about any of it, because I’ve never told her.
Why would I?