Page 46

46

HARPER

A contractor rushes over, gripping my arms to steady me. “Miss Harper. Focus on me. Breathe.”

“I—I can’t…” My eyes dart to the back door, to the spot where Ford disappeared. “I—I need?—”

“You need to breathe and get yourself together. Ford wouldn’t want this.”

Ford.

He’s right.

Ford wouldn’t want this.

I squeeze my eyes shut, then snap them open, locking onto the man in front of me.

“Breathe in like this.” He inhales deeply, demonstrating.

I force my lungs to cooperate, dragging in a breath.

Holding it.

Exhaling.

Ford needs me.

My breathing shudders.

Focus, dammit.

I do it again, grounding myself in the rise and fall of my chest.

The spots in my vision fade.

“It’s working,” the contractor murmurs. “Again.”

I nod, keeping my focus.

I need to get myself under control so I can go after Ford.

My breath catches.

Shit.

My chest tightens again.

“Hey, Harper. Allie wanted?—”

Connor’s voice yanks me out of my spiral.

My head snaps up, locking eyes with his concerned gaze.

His face hardens. “Jesus, Harper.” He pulls me from the contractor, his large hands steady on my shoulders. “Breathe with me.”

He inhales.

Exhales.

I copy him, the seriousness in his face keeping me anchored.

It’s so… un-Connor-like.

Allie steps beside him, her expression tight with worry. “Focus on your breathing, Harper. Tell us what happened once you’re calm.”

I nod, relief rushing through me at the sight of my best friend.

I do about ten deep breaths before I manage a weak smile at Connor.

Then it slams into me.

“F-Ford.”

Allie’s arm wraps around me. “What about him?”

I point to the still open back door.

My voice is a choked whisper. “He went after him.”

Connor’s entire posture shifts from concern to deadly fury.

His muscles tighten, veins popping. “Who?”

“J-Jeffrey,” I rasp.

Connor doesn’t hesitate.

He’s already moving.

“I’m going after him.” He sprints toward the back door. “Stay here with Harper.”

“C-Connor!”

“ Stay inside. Both of you! ” he yells as he disappears into the yard, tearing across the grass and into the trees.

“Shit.” My breath stumbles again. “I-I’m s-sorry.”

Allie cups my face. “Stop it. No apologizing. Ford and Connor have this. They’ll be okay.”

“Allie, Ford will kill ?—”

A wave of dizziness crashes into me.

“Harper, he’s smart. Protective as hell, yeah, but Ford’s not stupid. Do you really think he’s gonna throw his entire future away?” She bites her lip, glancing at the open door. “Those guys may be crazy as fuck, but they’re smart. They’ll be okay.”

I blink at her, disbelief twisting my face. “I can’t believe you’re saying this.”

Her gaze meets mine, sheepish but certain. “Me either.”

We giggle.

It doesn’t fix anything, but it steadies me.

“You couldn’t have stopped Ford, even if you’d chased him,” she says gently, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “He loves you, Harper. Worships the ground you walk on. Do you think he’s gonna risk losing you after everything he’s done to get you back?”

I hesitate.

The words make sense.

But Ford doesn’t do rational when it comes to me.

“He tampered with my birth control.” The words slip out before I can stop them.

Allie’s jaw drops. “He what?”

I sigh. “I know. Unhinged.”

She shakes her head, but a small, knowing smile plays on her lips. “Girl, if he’s trying to knock you up, do you really think that man’s gonna go to prison and not be there for you and his kid?”

A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “Maybe.”

“ Maybe? Please.” She waves a dismissive hand. “Connor will get the team to dispose of the body. No one will be wiser.”

Her eyes flick to mine, more serious now. “I didn’t want to interfere too much, but something about Jeffrey made me uneasy. I was relieved when you ended things. If you hadn’t, I was gonna intervene.”

I frown. “I didn’t see it.”

“Of course not. You were looking for Ford, trying to find him in someone else. Jeffrey was his opposite. Both men are unhinged, but Ford loves you. Jeffrey wanted to own you.” She shivers. “The dude lacks empathy. I’ll never forget when I ran into him outside your house. I’d been digging in my purse, wasn’t looking where I was going, and slammed into him.”

Her expression darkens.

“He looked at me like I was a disease. Never asked if I was okay. Just barked, ‘Watch where you’re going,’ and shoved me away.”

I gasp. “Allie! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t need to. He was on his way to the café where you dumped his ass. Why dwell on something that was already over?”

“I still want to go after him.” My fists curl.

I jump to my feet, grabbing her hand. “Let’s go.”

“What the—Harper!”

Adrenaline surges. “That jackass was rude to my best friend. And if he touches a hair on my soon-to-be husband’s head, I’m ripping his colon out and strangling him with it . ”

Allie starts running beside me. “Nice visual. You’re badass, Harper.”

I flash her a grin as we sprint toward the woods.

“We’re gonna be in trouble,” I mutter.

She nods. “Connor told us to stay inside.”

“I can handle Ford. Can you handle?—”

Determination sparks in her eyes. “Connor Byrns is no match for me.”

I grin.

Oh, Connor better watch out .