I sink my fingers into her hair, keeping her head tilted up to me. “I know you do, but fuck, if I’m right about everything, you’re in more danger than I can handle. I need to make sure you’re safe, Harper. I won’t survive if something happens to you and I could’ve prevented it. I love you so much and the idea of being away from you kills me, but it’s the only way to keep you safe.”
She closes her eyes as her fingers dig into my chest. “Fine, I’ll do it.” Just as I’m about to pull her to me, she stops me. “On one condition.” I lift my eyebrow, questioning her. “You don’t do anything stupid. You don’t let your anger get the best of you, and you come back to me.”
“That’s more than one condition,” I joke. She slaps my chest and I laugh, pulling her into my arms. “I promise.”
She pushes up on her toes and presses her lips to mine. “Let’s get some sleep.”
Harper finishes packing her bag and sits down on the bed. I lean against the dresser, crossing my arms. “You alright?”
She smiles, nodding. “Of course.” I tilt my head and she lifts her shoulders. “Just wish things were different.”
“I know, babe. It’ll be over soon,” I reassure her.
“That’s what we keep saying.” She stands up, wrapping her arms around my waist. I rest mine on her ass as she looks up at me. “End it this time, baby.”
I crash my mouth to hers, kissing her with a force I feel running through my veins. She lets out a soft moan when my fingers dig into her ass. The urge to toss her on the bed is intensifying, so I break the kiss.
I rest my forehead against hers, searching her eyes. “I’m going to end it. Tell me you believe that,” I say.
She smiles, pressing a kiss on my chest. “I have absolutely no doubt, baby.”
I don’t need her reassurance, she needs it. She can fool just about everyone, but I know her. She’s hiding behind her mask. The idea that we’ll never get Kingsley, and this will be our lives forever is haunting her. It may take time, but I will be fucking victorious.
“Come on, they’ll be waiting for us,” I say, giving her a quick kiss and grabbing the bags.
We meet everyone by the bar, dropping the bags for Finn to load in the van. Harper is talking to Ivy, so I grab Kace. “You feeling better?”
“I’m good, brother. I shouldn’t have said all that shit, but I was still pretty drunk.” He slaps my back and grins. “Even though it was all true.”
We both laugh as my eyes drift to Harper. Her head drops back laughing at something Ivy said and my pulse picks up. She takes my breath away even when she’s not trying. Even with all the shit going on, I look at her and I see my future. I see my wife, the mother of my children, my friend. I’ve wanted her since I was a kid, but we both had to grow up to realize it was something worth dying for. She’s worth dying for.
“We need to fix it, Z,” Kace says, pulling me out of my Harper haze.
I nod, running my hand through my hair. “I know, brother. I just can’t do shit until I know the truth.”
“Alright, Finn and Alex are going to drive the van. Harper and Ivy if you want to ride with them that’s up to you. Everyone else follow me,” Brooks says.
Harper smiles at me and I wink. I know damn well she wants to be on the back of my bike, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Once the van is packed, we all get on our bikes. I’m surprised to see Ivy get in the van, but the more I think about it, I’ve never seen her on a bike.
“Ready?” Harper asks.
I hand her the helmet and she climbs on behind me. The ride there isn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. I’m not sure how much further we have to go but having Harper behind me makes me want it to go on forever. We’re out of the desert and into a more wooded area now. It’s peaceful and quiet. Definitely not something any of us are used to.
We pull into a secluded wooded area and follow a narrow road, only big enough for one vehicle. As we continue down it, I notice a lake, an
d my heart fucking stops beating. What the hell would the odds be? I have to believe that if Kingsley did have a place on this lake, that Brooks or Gloria would know. He would never suggest we come here if he knew. Or would he? Fuck. My guard is up as we pull into a garage large enough for all our bikes and the van.
Harper pulls off the helmet, climbing off the bike. “It’s beautiful here.”
“Anyone else notice the lake? Coincidence?” Riley questions.
“I wondered the same,” I mumble.
Brooks walks over as we are talking. “Gloria would’ve told me if he had a place here.”
It’s the only thing I believe that he says. Gloria would rather burn this place down than be anywhere near Kingsley. So, I nod, and we go into the house. It’s a nice place. Not surprising since Gloria’s family has money. It’s got a cabin feel, but with luxury. The views out the huge windows are stunning and the openness of the house makes it feel huge.