Page 45

45

HARPER

T hree days later, Ford and I walk through my parents’ living room, checking on the renovations.

True to his word, Ford has everything running smoothly, with no trace of the vandalism remaining.

The new coffee table sits in front of the sectional, the polished wood gleaming beneath the afternoon sun streaming through the windows.

That same light catches on my ring, sending a near-blinding reflection across the room.

Ford chuckles beside me. “Damn, baby. Look at that glow.”

I shake my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. “You’re ridiculous.”

A predatory look gleams in his eyes. “Every man will know you’re taken.”

He lifts my hand, kissing my knuckles. “I made damn sure of it.”

I narrow my eyes. “You know, I could swear I had another pack of birth control pills, but I can’t find them anywhere. I even searched my bedroom, thinking I dropped them while unpacking.”

His smug grin is all the answer I need.

Before he can say a word, I unload. “Ford Brooks, you are not trying to knock me up already!”

“No, baby. I wouldn’t do that.” His lips twitch, gaze conveniently shifting toward the kitchen renovations.

“Dammit, Ford. You tampered with them.” I smack his shoulder.

“Funny, you weren’t concerned when you were begging me to come inside you every damn night since I chased you through the?—”

I slap my hand over his mouth, eyes wide as I take in the smirks and barely contained laughter of the contractors working in the house.

“We’ll discuss this later,” I hiss, straightening my posture.

Ford squeezes me against him. “We’ll discuss names later. Personally, I’d love twins?—”

“Ford! My God! ”

“I’ve already been looking. Boys, girls, and one of?—”

“Twins don’t run…” My stomach drops.

Oh. My. God.

My eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets. “How did I forget your grandfather and dad are twins?”

Ford’s entire face darkens to a dangerous shade of purple.

I instantly regret my words. “Sorry for bringing up your dad?—”

“That bastard cheated on my mom so many times, I can’t believe he never caught something that made his goddamn dick fall off.” Ford’s voice is pure venom. “I have no idea where he or his slimy brother is, and I don’t give a shit. As for my mom, I used to have sympathy, but she was always so quick to dump me off on Gram and Pap.”

“Baby.” I squeeze his arm, rubbing slow circles over his bicep as I try to soothe him. “I didn’t mean?—”

“I wish Pap’s brother hadn’t died in the car accident when I was ten. You would’ve loved him. He and Pap were real men. Loyal, faithful, devoted to their families and friends.” His jaw clenches. “I was better off being with Pap. He was my role model.”

“I know, baby. You were definitely better off with them?—”

But Ford’s no longer listening.

His entire body locks up, muscles rigid.

His eyes fix on something outside the back door, his expression sharpening into something lethal.

A chill rolls down my spine.

My breath stalls in my throat as I turn toward the window, my gut already screaming.

No.

No.

It can’t be.

My body begins to shake, the blood draining from my face as I stare at the figure standing at the edge of the woods.

I’m frozen.

Feet rooted to the floor.

“N-No.” My voice barely escapes.

My chest tightens. “N-Not again.”

Ford’s head snaps toward me, his sharp gaze locking onto mine. “What the hell do you mean, not again ?”

Shit.

My guilty eyes dart to his, my body shrinking beneath his withering glare. “Um… I thought I saw someone?—”

Ford’s face darkens to a storm cloud of rage.

His entire body vibrates with fury.

“We’ll talk about this later,” he grinds out—then explodes into motion.

With a roar, he tears through the back door, sprinting toward the woods, his muscles straining against his clothes like he’s about to burst through them.

Like he’s ready to rip this man apart with his bare hands.

“Ford, noooo !” I scream, tears blurring my vision.

Panic grips me like a vice, squeezing the air from my lungs as he disappears into the trees.

He’s going after him.

He’s going to kill him.

And if he does?—

Oh, God.

A vice tightens around my chest.

My lungs refuse to work.

I gasp, fighting for air, but it won’t come.

No.

Dots dance in front of my eyes.

My hand lifts, clutching at my shirt, willing my body to obey.

Calm down.

That thought only makes it worse.

The edges of my vision blacken.

I fight it.

I have to fight it.

I have to stop Ford before?—

Bile rises in my throat.

Before he kills someone and ends up in jail.