33. Luke
LUKE
Iwatch Harper process what I just said, and I can see the exact moment her cop brain kicks into overdrive. She’s running scenarios, calculating probabilities, trying to figure out who else would have reason to destroy that van.
I wonder when she’s going to put together that no one in that vehicle was supposed to make it out alive.
I can’t tell her everything—she’s not part of the team, and I can’t risk the operation when she admittedly, and justifiably, is loyal to the sheriff’s department. Operational security exists for a reason. The more people who know, the more exposure points. The more ways it can go wrong.
Except Harper isn’t just “people.” She’s already in this.
When her dad wasn’t doing anything about it, Harper brought us the evidence Emma’s father had gathered regarding Turner when she thought her friend was in danger.
We don’t know if Sheriff Garrett is on Turner’s payroll or just turning a blind eye, but Harper would see either option as a betrayal.
I just don’t know if she realizes how involved she is, and I’m not going to endanger anyone I care for by making assumptions.
“I don’t know who blew up the van,” I say finally, keeping my voice low even though we’re alone out here. “But we suspect it’s Turner or someone in his organization.”
Her brow furrows like she’s trying to fit the pieces together. “Why Turner?”
“He’s into some bad things.”
“Bad things,” she draws out, frowning. I can see her putting two and two together. “Like kidnapping?”
I sigh. I have to tell her. Forewarned is forearmed. “Like running a trafficking ring.”
Harper grips my forearms. “You have proof?”
“Yeah.” I don’t tell her about the photos Emma damn near got herself killed over, or about Lily and her sister. Not my stories to tell. “But it’s bigger than that. He’s not operating alone, Harper. He’s got ties to organized crime and he’s a hub in a network that spans multiple states.”
Her face goes pale. “How do you know this?”
I shrug. “We’ve been keeping an eye on things.”
“Because Eli Turner was harassing Emma, to buy her land,” she concludes. “Is Cole still after it?”
Cole Turner wants a lot of things. The land is one of them. Me, Mason, and Jake are another. Turner’s operating under the delusion that we owe him a debt and should work for him.
A couple weeks ago, one of his associates grabbed Lily. We rescued her and eliminated the guy responsible. Instead of taking offense, Turner decided we’d done him a favor by removing a problem and, therefore, already working for him.
The man’s logic has more holes than a shotgun target, but that hasn’t stopped him yet.
I brush back a strand of hair that blows in Harper’s face. “Don’t worry about Turner. We’re taking care of it.”
“Taking care of it,” she repeats, and there’s an edge to her voice. “What does that mean?”
“Exactly what you think it does.”
She shakes her head, frustration radiating off her. “Luke, I’m a deputy. This is exactly the kind of thing that should go through proper channels—”
“You mean your father?” I cut her off. I raise my brow. “The same father who didn’t listen to Robert Hayes when he went in with his suspicions about the Turners?”
Harper flinches like I slapped her.
I immediately regret the bluntness, but I don’t take it back. She needs to hear this.
“You saw it yourself, Harper,” I continue, gentler now. “You were the one who brought that information to our attention, so we could protect Emma.”
“I know.” She shakes her head. “It’s just that if there’s more than circumstantial evidence, I think my dad would act on it.”
“We can’t take the risk that Turner will find out we’re moving against him.
” I take a chance and put my hands on her shoulders.
“Did you see he’s running for governor? He’s one step away from becoming untouchable.
If he becomes governor, investigations disappear and federal scrutiny decreases. Then we’re fucked.”
“And you think my dad would warn him?” she asks incredulously.
“That’s not what I’m saying.” But in my gut, I feel that he would. “I’m saying the more people who know, the more chances of a leak.”
She takes a ragged breath. I’m relieved when she reluctantly nods.
She looks upset—rightfully so. I think about kissing her to distract her. It was the deal, so she wouldn’t complain, but suddenly that feels too transactional. And, really, what I want from Harper Garrett isn’t just a kiss.
I pull her to me, wrapping an arm around her back. “I need to know something before this goes any further.”
“This?”
“You and me.” I twirl one of her loose curls around my index finger. “I want you in my bed. But that’s the easy part, Harper.”
Her hands grip my biceps and her body arches into mine, a sweet kind of surrender that, in reality, makes me her prisoner. “What’s the hard part?”
“That I want you there tomorrow, and next week, and a month from now.” I tighten my grip and tug.
“I want you, Harper. Not just your body, not just the attraction. I want you. The sharp-tongued deputy who follows me into danger even when she knows better. The woman who reads romance novels and pretends she doesn’t.
The one who’s terrified of what’s coming but shows up anyway. ”
I reach up and cup her face, my thumb brushing her cheekbone.
“I want the commitment,” I continue. “The choice. I want you to choose me, knowing exactly what that means. Knowing that I’m never going to be the safe choice.”
Her eyes search mine, and I can see her processing every word.
“I need to know if you can handle that,” I say quietly. “If you can be with me knowing what’s coming, knowing that I’m going to do whatever it takes to protect the people I love, even if it means crossing lines you swore you’d never cross.”
I let the question hang in the air between us.
“So, what’s it going to be, sunshine?” My voice drops lower, more intense. “Are you down with that?”