Harley shook his head. “Not necessary, sir. It’s not about money for me.” Our eyes met then, but I couldn’t decipher the look in Harley’s eyes. “I’m just glad that she is alive, and we were able to get out as quickly as we could.”
My Mom pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Maybe you should lay down, Abi. We’d like to talk with Mr. Jordan before he leaves.”
“Sure,” I said and turned to look at Harley with reluctance. Laying down sounded wonderful, but I longed for a moment alone with Harley. I had gotten so used to reaching out to touch him. “Do you mind if I have a moment alone with Harley?”
My parents exchanged a look before my Dad nodded. “Of course. Just a moment though.”
They left the living room to go into the kitchen to give us a small bit of privacy. I imagined my Mom was leaning up against the kitchen door, so I kept it wordless as possible. I wrapped my arms around Harley’s waist tightly. His arms wrapped around my shoulders as well in a tight embrace.
“Get some rest,” he said, breath stirring the strands of hair on my head. “I will be by later to check on you.”
“Thank you,” I said, and pulled back to stare up at him. “For everything. I regret the trip had to end so quickly though.”
“I know.”
Not caring that my parents were most likely listening in curiously, I stood on tip toes to press my lips against his for a soft kiss. Harley broke it off quickly before anything could escalate, but I had felt his hands twitch against my shoulder blades.
I left him standing in the living room before entering the guest room down the hallway. The wall space were windows that overlooked Manhattan. I set my purse down on the bedside table before standing up against the warm glass to watch the steady stream of cars and people down below.
I could hear the distant chatter of my parents down in the kitchen. If they suspected anything had happened between Harley and me, there was no doubt in my mind they were trying to fish it out of Harley himself.
My Dad would still give him the check though if Harley did admit to it. I sighed loudly before kicking my shoes off to collapse on the feather top. The past 24 hours ticked by me surreally as I stared up at the ceiling of the room. I smelt horrible, and my hair felt grimy and tangled from our rush to board a plane.
As panicked as it had been to get out, I had known it was going to be okay with Harley sitting there. A shiver went through me thinking of his lethal aim. I had killed people. He didn’t seem bothered by anything. His face had remained stoic the entire plane ride home. The only source of comfort had were through his fingers squeezing mine.
I had no idea if I was ever going to see him again, but I was too tired to even get out of bed to ask him. All I could do was pray that come tomorrow morning everything would be okay again. I curled up on my side to hold onto the pillow with a sigh before a dark and dreamless sleep took over me for the first time in a few days.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN - HARLEY
“Dear,” Robert glanced over at his wife as Abi walked out of the room. “Could you grab the checkbook off my desk and bring it here? I’d appreciate it.” His expression hardened a little as he turned to face me after his wife left the room. “I appreciate all you’ve done, but if you think I’m a fool, you’re wrong, son.”
I nodded, not quite
sure what to say. I respected the guy, but I’d taken his daughters virginity when I’d been paid to stand guard beside her. In the way of honor, I was a piece of shit, which was new to me. Having a big handful of metals from the armed forces that said differently, for the first time in a long time, I was in conflict with myself.
“Sir, I-”
“No. Please don’t apologize or explain. Abigail is my only child. I don’t honestly want to know if someone almost twice her age took advantage of her.” His lips pursed into a tight line, and I felt sick to my stomach.
“Took advantage of her?” I choked out.
He lifted his eyebrow. “Would you call it something else?”
“I’m not sure what you think happened, but-”
“You were hired to protect her, and you did. Thank you for that, but if I see you anywhere near her in the future, I will make your life a living hell. Steer clear of her. She deserves a man who isn’t tainted by war with blood on his hands.”
I stiffened. I’d always thought that Mr. Carter was a friend to the military. Obviously, he had a few hidden feelings. Where I wanted to defend myself, lying to him wasn’t happening. I had too much honor after serving alongside good men and losing them.
“Here we are,” Lauren walked back into the room and lifted the checkbook toward her husband as her expression turned to worry. “Oh, I’m sorry. Is everything okay?”
“Yep. Harley and I were just going on what happened in detail. Nothing you need to hear about, dear.” He gave me a stern look before walking to his desk, leaning over and filling out the check.
“Well, I’m just so thankful that Robert hired the right man for the job.” Her eyes filled with tears as she reached out and squeezed my shoulder. “If anything had happened to my baby-”
“Here. I’ll show you to the door.” Robert’s voice was curt.
“Thank you, both. I can show myself out. You just take care of Abigail.” I narrowed my eyes a little, letting the older man know that even though he’d won the battle, I was still watching and waiting to win the war.