Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
H arlow paced Easton’s living area.
Everyone else was chatting. Her mom and Gia sat on the couch, deep in conversation. Men’s voices were a deep rumble from the kitchen.
Pop .
She looked over, and saw that her sister had just popped the cork from a champagne bottle.
“Oh, my God,” Scarlett cried. “I love Moet & Chandon .”
“My favorite,” Gia called out. “Pour me a glass.”
Haven sat on the stool, Rhys beside her. Ace and Saxon were talking, beers in hand.
But Harlow was too nervous.
She couldn’t believe that this was all going to be over any second now. Although until Vander and Easton returned from talking with Antoine, it wouldn’t really be over. They were due back any minute.
And then she’d have to move back to her place.
Her stomach turned to knots. Easton had moved her in to keep her safe, and now she was safe. Everything had happened between them so fast.
She had to go home, and then… Her throat tightened. What if after all the excitement, he wasn’t really in love with her?
Stop it, Harlow.
She focused on the fact that her father was safe. Antoine would agree to the deal, wouldn’t he?
She heard the doorbell ring.
“I’ll get it,” Scarlett yelled, champagne flute in hand.
“It’s Rome,” Ace said, looking at his phone.
Moments later, Rome joined them. Saxon tossed a beer at the man.
Harlow kept pacing. Finally, she heard the elevator.
She raced out, circling the stairwell. She met Easton’s gaze.
He smiled. “It’s over. Armand accepted the deal. Your father’s clear, and you’re safe.”
It was like a weight lifted off her. She jumped on him and he caught her.
Harlow kissed him. And when she lifted her head, she saw Vander smiling at them.
“You do smile,” she said.
“Sometimes.” Unfortunately, it disappeared. “The only dampener on the good news is that Durant is in the wind.”
Her gut clenched.
Easton’s hands tightened on her. “Armand cut him loose, and the last he heard, Hugo is planning to go back to France.”
Her gut loosened. “So, he’s gone. You know what, I think I need some champagne. My sister is already working her way through the bottle.”
Easton patted her ass. “I have a wine cellar, remember?”
She smiled. “Thank you. Both of you. I… Things would’ve turned out very differently without your help.”
Easton squeezed her and Vander inclined his head.
“All you have left to do is help me move back to my apartment tomorrow.”
Easton froze. “What?”
“I’m outta here.” Vander vanished like a ghost.
“I’m safe now.” Nerves were alive and kicking inside her. She smoothed her hand over his shoulder. “I can’t just stay here.”
His dark brows drew together. “Why not?”
His angry tone rattled her. “Why not? Because people date for a period of time, then move in after careful consideration—”
“Is that in a fucking rulebook somewhere?”
“Easton. Everything happened at light speed. It’s been crazy. I want to know that what’s between us is real.” She’d do anything to protect it, even if she didn’t like it.
His scowl deepened and he set her on her feet. “You don’t think our love is real?”
She bit her lip. “You’re twisting my words—”
“I love you, and I want you in my fucking bed every night. I want—”
“Hey, guys.” Scarlett appeared, Gia behind her.
“It’s a party,” Gia said. “Time to celebrate.”
Harlow found herself dragged back into the living room. Her gut still felt curdled, and she hated fighting with Easton like this. She desperately wanted to sort things out. She was crazy in love with him. She wanted to be with him.
She just didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize it. If they rushed things before they’d built a solid foundation, things could crumble.
She met his unhappy gaze across the room. He looked away, sipping a beer and talking with Vander.
After the party, once it was just the two of them, they’d talk. She’d seduce him out of his bad mood.
Food was spread out on the island, and she grabbed some cheese and crackers. She talked with her mom, who was so relieved that things were resolved.
It took a little while to realize that her sister was missing. Harlow frowned. When had Scarlett disappeared?
Harlow stepped out of the living area, and gripped the railing by the stairs. “Scarlett?”
She checked the powder room. No sign of her sister.
Then Harlow’s phone pinged.
It was a text.
She opened it and ice slid through her veins. It was a picture of Hugo, smiling in a deranged way.
I have your pretty sister.
Front door. Now.
Tell any Norcross fucker, and I’ll slit her throat instantly.
Harlow couldn’t breathe. No. No. No.
She looked back toward the party, could hear everyone laughing and talking.
If she told Easton—
Dammit, she couldn’t risk her baby sister.
But Harlow had no illusions. If she went to Hugo, he’d hurt her.
Think, Harlow.
She raced into Easton’s office, and found a piece of paper and a pen. She scrawled a note.
Trying to act calm, she wandered back into the party. She opened the refrigerator, and popped the note inside, by the beers. The men were almost ready for fresh ones. They’d find the note shortly.
She’d go out, then stall Hugo until help arrived.
Not a great plan, but it was the best she could do on short notice.
She looked back. Easton was turned away from her. She drank in his handsome profile, her heart pounding so loud she was sure that he’d hear it.
Then she turned and quickly jogged down the stairs. She had no shoes on, but there was no time to go and find any.
She opened the front door.
Instantly, hands grabbed her and yanked her out of the house. Hugo pulled her roughly down the front steps.
“Where’s Scarlett?” There was no sign of her sister.
Hugo grinned and pointed upward.
In a floor-to-ceiling window above, Harlow had the perfect view of her sister asleep in a huge armchair.
Oh, no . Harlow felt like a hand squeezed her lungs.
“She’s inside, but now you’re not.” He knocked her phone out of her hand. It hit the sidewalk and he stomped on it.
Shit . Harlow jerked back. “Fuck off, Hugo.”
Without warning, he slammed his fist into her face.
She cried out. The pain was horrible, nausea slamming into her. Her eyes watered.
He punched her again and everything went foggy.
Moments later, she groggily opened her eyes. She found herself in the back of an SUV.
Her pulse rocketed. Oh, fuck . Her shit plan had failed. Fear tasted like pond scum in her throat.
Her wrists were tied together and her face throbbed. “This isn’t going to work, Hugo.”
He took a corner fast, the tires screeching.
“Easton and his brothers will tear the city apart to find me.” Please, Easton. Find me.
Hugo laughed. “ Non . They won’t. They’ll run around in circles, but you won’t be in the city.”
The SUV braked, rocking hard. She looked out the window.
A row of yachts. They were at the San Francisco Marina.
Hugo got out, then opened her door. He dragged her out of the car. Her mouth was dry, her face hurt, and she stumbled.
He dragged her toward the walkway leading to the boats.
Harlow dragged her feet, trying to slow him down.
Suddenly, he jerked her up, his face inches from hers. She smelled onions on his breath.
“You want me to hit you again?”
“No.”
“I’d like it.” He smirked.
She saw in his eyes that he would enjoy it. He was sick.
He stroked his fingers down her neck. “We are going to have so much fun together, Harlow.”
Her lungs locked.
Then he spun, and kept dragging her. They reached a sleek, white motorboat, named Knot-a-Care .
He threw her in, and she hit the floor.
Hugo untied the ropes mooring the boat, tossed them free, then strode past her to the controls. Then he gunned the engine, and the boat moved.
Oh, no . Screw this. She was diving off. She’d take her chances in the water.
She scurried to the side.
He grabbed her, a wiry arm pulling her against him.
“Oh no, little bird. My life is a fucked up mess, and it’s all your fault. You have to pay.”
Yeah, right . Harlow rolled her eyes. Just like a loser to blame someone else for their problems.
“I want a little revenge.” Hugo’s hand cupped her breast. He squeezed it cruelly.
Him touching her like that made her skin crawl.
“We’re going across the Bay. We’ll be far, far away from Norcross, and we can have a good time.” He pinched her nipple.
Harlow bit her tongue. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of hearing her cry out.
“You’ll scream for me Harlow. I promise.”
* * *
Easton sipped his beer, not really listening to the story Ace was sharing.
Harlow wanted to move out. His fingers squeezed on his beer bottle. She wanted to give them time . He didn’t need time. He loved her. She loved him. She was his.
End of story.
He took another sip. She’d just been through a pressure cooker. He lowered the beer bottle. Hell . He had no right to make demands of her right now. They needed to talk things through.
He scanned the space for her. There was no sign of her, although she’d been in the kitchen a moment ago.
“Fuck.” Vander’s deep voice. His brother was standing at the open fridge.
Easton stiffened.
His brother turned, a note in his hand.
Easton strode over and snatched it. It was in Harlow’s handwriting.
Hugo has Scarlett
Front door.
Hurry.
Fuck. Easton’s heart stopped.
“Hey.” Scarlett wandered in. “What did I miss?”
He lunged for her. “Where have you been?”
“I fell asleep on a chair in your living area. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” She sobered. “What’s wrong?”
“Hugo has Harlow.” Easton raced for the stairs.
He heard Vander, Rhys, and the others right behind him.
The front door was ajar, and he sprinted outside. His gut clenched. “No sign of her.”
“Here.” Rhys crouched.
A broken cell phone lay on the pavement.
Easton took it. “It’s Harlow’s. Fuck !”
“Come on.” Vander jogged back inside.
They sprinted upstairs. “My office,” Easton ordered.
“Ace,” Vander called.
“Already on it.” The tech man appeared, laptop in hand. He set it on Easton’s desk.
Saxon, Rhys, and Rome stood with them.
“Where’s Harlow?” Scarlett demanded.