Chapter 10
Harper sat on the cold, unforgiving metal hood of her car, staring out into the all-consuming darkness. The night sky was barren, not a single star shining to offer her solace in this moment of turmoil. She was supposed to be at Anders’ house, waiting for him to come to her. But as she drove there, a surge of emotion overtook her. Anger. Betrayal. Resignation. And now, disappointment. Everything in her life had been carefully constructed on a foundation of lies.
The burning question that weighed heavily on Harper’s mind was what she should do next. Should she continue down the path that had been laid out for her? A future dictated by expectations and familial legacy? The thought of giving up her hard-earned law degree, pursued solely because her father told her that’s what Bryans did, crossed her mind.
They were a family of lawyers; skilled litigators who excelled in their careers. So Harper did what everyone expected from her. Even if her father didn’t always show he cared, he would surely have no choice but to be proud when she walked across that stage at graduation. Right?
Yet his absence from the ceremony spoke volumes. Her mother and brother were there, but not her father. Perhaps it was because of his demanding schedule as the managing partner of a prestigious law firm.
As she reflected on her past, a heavy sadness settled in the pit of Harper’s stomach. His parting words before she left the house echoed loudly in her head: “You’re still my child. It was just… difficult.”
Difficult didn’t even begin to cover it. A lone tear escaped down Harper’s cheek. She hastily wiped it away, berating herself for still being so invested in their expectations and deceptions.
Just then, Harper’s phone began ringing incessantly. Anders had been trying to reach her for thirty minutes. With a heavy sigh, she knew she couldn’t avoid him any longer. Bracing herself for the conversation ahead, she picked up the phone and swiped to answer.
“Hey.”
Angered and frustrated, Anders’ voice crackled through the phone. “Hey? That’s all you got? Hey? I’ve been stressing out, wondering where the hell you are. And all you say is Hey? Are you shitting me right now?”
Harper felt tears welling in her eyes as she listened to his words. His usual confident tone was laced with worry, and it only made her feel worse. She hadn’t shed a single tear when she found out about her parents’ life-altering secret earlier that evening, but hearing Anders’ concern for her was her breaking point.
“I’m sorry,” Harper choked, struggling to regain control of herself. What else could she say? There were no words that could make this situation better.
She heard movement on the other end of the line, a sense of urgency in Anders’ actions. “Where are you? Are you hurt? Why didn’t you come to me? Wait, it doesn’t matter. I’m coming to you. Just tell me where you are.”
For a moment, Harper wanted to tell him not to bother, that there was no need for him to drive tonight. But then his concern made her hesitate. “Anders, listen,” she began, trying to calm her breathing. “Tonight was… rough. I found out some things.”
She trailed off, unsure if she should reveal the secret that had been kept from her for so long. He wasn’t part of a founding family like hers, but he still knew many people in town. Would he accidentally let something slip? Would it ruin her mother’s reputation and damage her father’s business? But then Harper remembered how much she still loved her family, despite their flaws and mistakes. They were still her family, after all. She may not want to be around them right now, but she also didn’t want them to get hurt.
Anders’ voice broke through her thoughts, filled with urgency. “Harper! If you don’t tell me where you are, I’ll tear up this damn town looking for you.” After a brief pause, his tone softened. “I swear to God I’m going to spank your ass until it’s red.”
Surprisingly, Harper smiled at his words. His protectiveness and love for her during all this chaos made her feel comforted in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time. It reminded her that she wasn’t alone.
“I’m at Jim Barnett Park. Do you know where that is?”
It was one of the largest recreational parks in the area. When she was younger, the live-in nanny would bring her and RJ here to spend time at the playground. There was a lake for fishing, ducks that begged for bread, and trails for hiking. It was funny that this was the place she stopped at when having her little meltdown.
“Yes, I know where it is. I’m on my way.” He hung up, his voice sharp and full of anger.
Anders was beyond livid. Every word he had spoken to her dripped with frustration and disappointment. Any other time, Harper would have told him to go kick rocks, unbothered by his attitude. But tonight, as she sat alone in the dark parking lot, she felt grateful for someone showing a glimmer of concern.
She leaned against her car, the metal cool against her skin. She didn’t want to get inside, feeling closed in and suffocated. Yet, being behind the wheel might have saved her from receiving an earful from Anders when he arrived. The park was quiet and deserted at this late hour, not exactly the safest place to be, but she hadn’t been thinking about that earlier.
As she walked around to the passenger side, Harper’s hand went straight for the glove compartment. She opened it and reached inside, her fingers closing around the grip of her 9mm Glock. Memories flooded her mind as she remembered the close call she had while at college, leaving the law library late one night.
A man had appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her, trying to drag her into an alleyway. Harper fought back ferociously, using every tactic in her arsenal—nails clawing at his skin, kicking back on his shins, yelling for help. In a moment of desperation, Harper remembered the advice she had heard once upon a time… drop like dead weight. And it worked.
The man cursed in surprise, giving her enough time to punch him in the face and grab onto his most vulnerable area—his dick and balls. She pulled and twisted, causing him to scream out in pain.
The adrenaline rush faded when others came running to her aid, and the man was apprehended by the police. The next day, Harper went out and bought her first gun. She now owned multiple weapons and knew how to use each one.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the familiar sound of Anders’ truck engine approaching. She stood up from her position and waited for him to exit the vehicle. But when he didn’t immediately appear, she grew worried. Was he okay? What was he doing?
Stepping closer to the truck, Harper could see that Anders had his eyes closed and seemed to take a deep breath. After a few moments, he opened the door and got out. His usually calm demeanor was replaced with anger as he stalked towards her.
But even with that fierce expression on his face, Harper couldn’t feel afraid of him. It was Anders after all—the man who made her feel safe and protected.
When he neared her, his hands gripped her face and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. His breathing was heavy, and his words were stern as he scolded her for worrying him. “Never do that again. Do you know what I was ready to do to find you? I didn’t know if you’d been hurt or in an accident. Woman, you drive me crazy.”
Harper smiled at his concern. She promised herself she would keep her parents’ secret for now, not wanting to add any more stress to Anders’ plate. But she knew she wouldn’t be able to hide it from him for long.
As Harper lifted her gaze to meet Anders’ blue eyes, a genuine smile spread across her face. He was her confidant, the singular person she could trust with her innermost thoughts and fears. She knew he would never break her trust or betray her. The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled back at her comforted her. In that moment, she felt completely safe and understood, knowing that no matter what secrets she shared with him, he would always be there for her.
“I’m okay. It’s just that…”
“It’s just what?” he prodded gently, sensing there was something more behind her words.
A small sigh escaped Harper’s lips as she shook her head, her eyes showing the weight of her emotions. “Dealing with my parents is always a struggle for me,” she said softly to Anders. “Tonight was more difficult than usual. I just needed some time to process everything.”
Anders listened intently, knowing there was more that Harper wasn’t telling him. But for now, he was just grateful that she was safe and by his side. He made a mental note to revisit this conversation later when she was ready to talk.
“Do you need more time, or can we leave now?” Anders asked, wanting nothing more than to take her back to his home and into his bed.
“We can leave,” Harper replied gratefully, leaning into him as they walked back to her car. “Thank you for coming for me.”
Anders pulled her closer into his arms, a gentle smile on his face as he spoke. “Was there ever any doubt? Listen, princess. No matter what happens or how much you drive me crazy, I will always be here for you. You mean everything to me.”
He glanced up at the dark sky before locking eyes with Harper again. “There’s so much I want to say to you, but this isn’t the right place. Follow me back to my house.”
Harper climbed into her car and started the engine as Anders rapped his knuckles on the roof before walking back to his truck. “Do you want me to follow you?” she called out.
Shaking his head with a playful grin, Anders replied, “No need. I’ll follow you this time. You know, just in case you decide to make any unexpected stops.”
Harper rolled her eyes playfully as she started driving toward Anders’ house. “Always the funny guy,” she teased. “Don’t worry. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“Good.” Anders chuckled before walking over to his truck and climbing inside. That’s exactly what he needed to hear.
As Harper drove, she couldn’t shake off the heaviness in her chest. The new information about her family weighed on her mind. But for tonight, she just wanted to be held by her man. Deep down, she still feared his reaction to the truth. Would it change how he felt about her?
Entering Anders’ driveway, Harper parked her car and got out to wait for him. The moment Anders stepped out of his truck, he walked over to her, taking her in his arms. “I’ll take care of you, Harper,” he whispered into her ear, his voice firm and reassuring. She clung to him, feeling a strange combination of panic and calm settle over her.
Harper was surprised to see several cars parked along the street and in front of Anders’ large house. He lived in a neighborhood filled with large family homes and manicured lawns. Not quite what she expected, but it still fit him. Anders noticed the look of apprehension on her face and tightened his hold on her.
“Don’t worry, I’m friends with the people next door. They’re having a small gathering and invited me to join in. The plan was for me to stay at your place tonight, so I told them I couldn’t make it. What do you want to do? Go inside and be alone, or distract ourselves with some fun?”
Harper breathed a sigh of relief. She was still unsure about the situation, but decided to have a bit of fun to take her mind off things.
As they entered the house next door, they were greeted by the faces of Anders’ friends. She listened as they shared laughter and stories, creating a sense of belonging that Harper had never felt before. Throughout the night, Harper leaned heavily on Anders, seeking the comfort and security he provided. He never hesitated to offer his support, wrapping his arms around her, whispering soothing words in her ear. In his presence, she felt invincible, like they could conquer anything.
As the evening progressed, Harper noticed herself relaxing more. These were Anders’ friends, and seeing how much they cared for him filled her heart with warmth. It was then that she knew. No matter what happened, she belonged here with him.
The night went on, and as they danced together, Harper realized she had fallen in love with Anders. He was her safe haven, her rock, her everything.
The music slowed, and the room seemed to follow suit, dimming into a soft, ambient glow that served as a background to the voices of the people surrounding them. Harper’s hand rested confidently on Anders’ chest, her doubts dissolving into the rhythm of their slow, synchronized steps. The world outside ceased to matter as they found themselves cocooned in a bubble.
A slow song bled into a quieter moment, and Anders led Harper to a secluded corner of the room, away from the dwindling chatter. He looked at her with an intensity that made her heart leap.
“I’m glad you came with me tonight,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “It means everything to me that you’re here.”
Harper nodded, her eyes locked on his. “I’m glad too,” she replied, her voice steadying with resolve. “I was nervous at first to meet your friends, but now… now I feel like I’m part of something special. Part of your world.”
Anders smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’ve always been part of it, Harper. From the day we met. I hope you know that.” His fingers brushed against her braids, tucking some strands over her shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. It’s time we get started on our own party.”
Harper couldn’t agree more.
As the song ended, Anders led Harper outside as they walked the short distance to his house. The night was crisp, with a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves. As they walked inside his home, she had a feeling everything was going to be just fine.