4 Asher #3
“She rides like an absolute dream,” Harper says smugly. “Not a single scratch on her either, just like I promised.” Then, without hesitation, she reaches across the island and steals a piece of chicken directly off my plate.
“Well, help yourself, Harper,” I say dryly.
She grins and immediately reaches for another piece. I pull the plate out of her reach.
“Oh no. Go make your own damn plate. There’s plenty over there.” I nod toward the containers spread across the counter. “Actually, Roman, make her a plate before she eats all my food.”
I glance over at Roman and nearly choke on my drink. He’s staring at Harper like he’s just seen a damn angel descend from heaven.
“Whoa, hold up,” Roman says slowly, looking between Harper and me. “Did I hear this correctly? You let this tiny little thing drive your bike?”
Harper narrows her eyes instantly.
“First of all, jacknut,” she says, pointing her fork at him, “he needed my car to get Scarlett back here, she couldn’t exactly ride the bike in her state.”
Roman smirks.
“Second, I wasn’t going to wait around to get a ride home with some random guys or guy I didn’t know.” She crosses her arms dramatically. “Have you seen the kidnapping statistics lately? Absolutely not. I’m way too pretty to end up sold into human trafficking.”
Declan nearly spits out his drink.
“And third,” Harper continues proudly, “I can ride the hell out of a motorcycle. Don’t believe me? I’ll gladly make a little wager and take your money.” She reaches for my keys again, but I hold them out of reach. Roman slowly sits down across from her, clearly entertained.
“Dude,” he mutters while staring at her. “I think I’m in love.”
Declan lets out a small chuckle. Harper rolls her eyes dramatically while Roman slides a plate of food toward her.
“You couldn’t handle me,” she says confidently before shoving a forkful of pasta into her mouth.
Roman leans forward slightly, a slow grin spreading across his face.
“Wanna make a wager on that?”
Harper immediately starts choking on her food. Declan calmly slides her a glass of Pepsi while Roman looks entirely too pleased with himself.
“Alright, you two,” I say, setting my fork down. “Let’s get back to the actual issue here. Scarlett cannot go back to that house.” I look directly at Harper.
“And honestly? I’m gonna need your help convincing her that staying here is the safest option.”
Harper frowns immediately.
“Why can’t she just stay with me for the next few months?” she asks. “We already planned on getting an apartment together for college anyway.”
I exchange a glance with Roman before looking back at her.
“Because right now, the safest place for Scarlett is here.”
Harper opens her mouth to argue, but I cut her off.
“What I’m about to tell you doesn’t leave this room. Understand me?” My tone turns serious enough that even Harper straightens slightly.
“The only reason I’m telling you any of this is because Scarlett trusts you with her life.”
I quickly walk her through the basics. How Scarlett’s grandfather’s attorney hired Knightfall Security shortly after his death because things at Vale Enterprises stopped making sense.
How Thomas Vale took over the company after Laura: Scarlett’s mother died.
How shareholders suddenly started dumping stock.
How there were rumors of shady business dealings and money disappearing from accounts, and most importantly…
. how Scarlett was supposedly meant to inherit everything when she turned twenty-one.
“At this rate,” I finish grimly, “there may not be anything left of Vale Enterprises by the time that happens.”
Harper just stares at us.
“Wait.” Her voice sharpens. “You’re saying everything was supposed to go to Scarlett?”
“According to the attorney, yes.”
“That’s impossible,” she says immediately. “Thomas always claimed everything was left to Laura. He said Scarlett’s grandfather was senile near the end and never updated the will.”
Roman leans against the counter, arms crossed.
“So that’s the story Thomas is telling people.”
Harper slowly rises from her stool, anger flashing across her face.
“If what you’re saying is true, then the house… the company… everything belongs to Scarlett.” She looks absolutely furious now. “Why the hell don’t we just go over there and throw Thomas, Clara and Celeste out on their asses?” She takes two steps toward the door before Roman catches her arm.
“Easy there, Tempesta,” he says calmly.
Harper blinks.
“Tempesta?” she repeats.
Roman smirks.
“This is where we come in,” Roman continues. “We need proof before we make a move.”
Harper reluctantly sits back down while Roman explains further.
“According to the lawyer, Thomas technically controls everything until Scarlett turns twenty-one, but there were supposed to be stipulations put in place to protect the company and Scarlett’s inheritance.”
“The problem,” Declan cuts in darkly, “is that the most recent copy of the will disappeared.”
“And the attorney’s computer system was hacked shortly after her grandfather died,” Roman finishes.
The room falls silent.
“That,” I say quietly, “is why we were hired.”