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HARPER

I woke up to a constant beeping sound coming from somewhere beside me. My head was throbbing, and when I tried to open my eyes, my vision was blurred. I flexed my fingers, they were stiff, but I could feel them.

Am I still tied up?

I forced my eyes open to be greeted by bright fluorescent lights. My eyes burned at the sudden intensity. I tried to raise my hand to my face, but something was restricting my movement. Panic filled me at the possibility of still being bound, and I threw myself up in a frenzy gasping for air.

Immediately I was met by gentle hands and a familiar voice. A voice that instantly calmed my trepidation.

“All right Doll, it’s all right. You’re safe baby,” Jasper whispered, his forehead pressed against mine.

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I leaned into his consolation. He lifted his hand, and, with the pad of his thumb, he brushed away my tears. I closed my eyes at the tenderness of his touch.

“I thought I was going to lose you,” He spoke, in a quiet tone, piercing the near silent room. The beeping grew louder, and more intrusive, or maybe it was my heightened sensitivity at that moment.

“You were asleep for three days,” his voice cracked at the end, trembling with emotion.

“Have you been here the whole time?” I managed to get out. My throat was dry and my tongue felt like sandpaper. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a voice came from the other side of the room.

“Yes, he has. He hasn’t left your side.” My eyes widen at the sight of Aster. She was laid back in a recliner with a blanket over her lap. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes were wrinkled, and her eyes were puffy and red. A look I have only seen on here one time, a few years back when her granny May died of breast cancer.

“Oh my gosh, I was supposed to be there to pick you up,” I said, running my hands over my face in disappointment.

Jasper grabbed my hand.

“I sent Max to get her. He took her to the penthouse, he was going to stay with her for safety, but she was too stubborn,” he furrowed his brows and shot her a meaningful glance, “She insisted on coming here, or else .” he said the last part with a smile.

“Yeah, and those two, knew better than to find out what that would look like.” She laughed, winking at Jasper.

“How are you feeling sweetheart?” her voice softened, as she threw the blanket to the ground and walked to my bed.

“Sore.” I winced, as I tried to roll my shoulder testing my mobility.

Thoughts of Jasper’s betrayal flooded my mind, recalling the emails, and the folder filled with my entire life on paper,

“I saw the emails and the file, Jasper. Then they showed up at the Plaza…” As I closed my eyes and my voice trailed off, I attempted to steady the shift of my emotion.

“I’m gonna let the doctor know she is awake, and give you two a minute,” Aster said walking toward the door.

“I told you she was gonna get you.” She taunted, before leaving us alone. A tall, muscular man in a suit stood with his back to the door, his hands to his side, blocking the doorway.

“Come on Handsome. We are going for a walk.” Aster said as the gentleman stepped aside to let her pass. She grabbed his tie playfully pulling him along. He looked towards Jasper, who gave him an approving nod. The man rolled his eyes and chuckled at Aster’s antics, she led the way sauntering into the hall and swaying her hips way more than necessary.

“Who was that?” I asked, pointing my finger toward the door, immediately regretting the abrupt movement.

“That’s security detail. We are just being careful.”

“We? Who are you, Jasper? What’s going on?”

He gave me an apologetic look. Locking his fingers between mine he said,

“I am everything I claimed to be. There’s much you don’t know, but I swear I’ve never lied to you, Harper, not even once.” His eyes searched mine nervously.

I took a deep breath.

“I need you to be completely honest with me, no filters this time,” I insisted.