Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
I sniffle again, and a laugh huffs from my chest. It’s good to know the sight of my tears can make all the moms upset. “I think it should be Sweden.”
Ivy’s eyes widen. “Don’t encourage her. She’s dealing with a lot of emotions, and they aren’t her strong suit. I asked her if she would walk me down the aisle along with my mom and she teared up. Like I didn’t know she could do that.”
“Neither did I,” CeCe admits, swallowing another sip. “For a moment I thought I was having a heart attack. Now to the problem at hand. I rather like Sweden. The people there are extremely standoffish. No one smiles. I enjoy it. So I shall forgo bombing Sweden and simply hire on a new man. Assassin. Ivy, I need you to find a couple of potential assassins and I shall interview them. Make them attractive, please. Do you think we can find an attractive assassin?”
Ivy shrugs. “According to all the romance novels I’ve read it won’t be a problem.”
Lydia stands and points CeCe’s way. “You are a menace. And you’re out of martini. Harper is going to be fine. She needs time and some dinner.”
I hear Darnell’s groan from the other room.
He gets hangry.
I stand. “No, what I need is to go and tell Reid that we don’t have to worry about the tape getting out.”
“I’ve also threatened to sue the magazine. The film they have is the property of Ralavia Entertainment and technically of the royal family,” CeCe announces. “I’ve explained there will be an international incident if they pursue the story in any way that shows the footage.”
“She came up with that one herself,” Heath explains. “Lawyer was impressed.”
I walk up to CeCe. Such an intimidating woman. “Thank you.”
She holds my hand for a moment. “You’re welcome, my dear. Now go and be brave. Be the Harper Ross we all know you can be. Just remember that sometimes the bravest thing we can be is patient.”
I stride out and hope I can find a way to make him believe.
Chapter Twenty
I’m walking in the door while Jeremiah is striding out. We nearly bang into each other.
His eyes widen when he realizes it’s me. “Harper. I thought… Well, I didn’t expect to see you.” His expression goes distinctly sympathetic. “Are you okay?”
I’m being honest. Old Harper would smile and say sure thing. Nothing phases me. But I’m trying something new because Darnell is right. The old me doesn’t get what I need because the old me would never, ever ask for something. “No. I am completely overwhelmed, but I’m going to hold it together because I think Reid needs me. Are you okay? He was pretty harsh with you.”
“Not harsh enough,” he says under his breath. He steps back and invites me into the lobby. “Harper, I don’t think you should go up there. He’s in a state.”
“I need to tell him that it’s going to be okay. Ivy and CeCe took care of it,” I explain. He’s not going to scare me off. I need to do this. Even if Reid sends me away.
He seems to think about that for a moment. “Good. I can tell him. That might help but you should know Britta probably won’t stop. We’re trying to figure out what her angle is this time.”
“Angle?”
Jeremiah’s head shakes. “I shouldn’t…or maybe I should. Maybe I should tell you everything and get my brother out of this mess.”
He seems so upset, so anxious. It’s odd to think that an hour before I would have begged for information. But I’m taking Lydia’s words to heart. I put a hand on his shoulder. “No. If Reid wants me to know then I’ll know. I’m going to go up and talk to him. I’m going to let him know I’m not about to leave him.”
“I can’t tell you how much I love hearing you say those words, but I don’t think he’ll allow it. Harper, if he says stupid, hurtful things, he’s trying to protect you. He’s trying to push you away so she can’t hurt you.”
She can’t hurt me. Not really, but Reid can. Reid can tear me apart with some casual words.
But they won’t be casual. They’ll be planned and used like a weapon.
They will also be a lie.
“I can handle Reid.” I notice his hand is shaking and I reach for it. “Jeremiah, where are you going?”
A few suspicions have been playing through my head. Jeremiah never drinks. Not even a glass to taste the wines the rest of us try. He could simply not enjoy alcohol. But then why would Reid keep the liquor locked up like a gun? Why did he get so worried when his brother was out late? Lydia told me there was a darkness in Jeremiah.
“I don’t know.” He looks haunted. “I haven’t decided yet.”