I stand up in shock. “The wrong man? What does that mean?”
“We thought Isaac would go after Eric. Obviously, he decided he just wanted to inherit. That’s why Gigi ran. Isaac doesn’t know I know any of this, but he knows she knows. She could ruin him.”
“You believed Isaac had killed not once, but twice, and you were okay with him going after Eric?”
“Not to kill him. You think I wanted him dead? Eric can handle himself for God’s sake. He was a SEAL.”
“What if Isaac had come for me? He had me attacked at the warehouse. Eric saved me.”
“You were attacked?”
“Yes. And I can’t prove it, but I’m almost certain that Isaac set it up. He had a bank account in my name. He was setting me up to look like I was stealing from the mob. Eric wiped out the proof. Eric saved me in that warehouse or I’d be dead, the fall guy for the mob.” A bad thought hits me. “I assume since you took my trust, my life insurance would have gone to the family, too. My death would have paid off the mob.”
“No. No, Harper. I didn’t—I had no idea—and—”
“And you let Isaac come after Eric. What did you think he would do to Eric, mother? He was going to lose everything.”
“There’s no proof that he killed anyone! I didn’t believe it. And he didn’t kill Eric. He killed his father!”
“Their father had a heart attack. Just like Isaac’s mother and father had a car accident. He won’t go down for this, but you think he won’t find out what you know? You think he won’t come for you? I suggest you go to Gigi and go quickly.”
“Eric killed his father. I’m going to tell the police. You need to stay away from him.”
I lean on the table facing her. “You think that lie will save you from Isaac? I don’t.” I push off the table and walk toward the door.
“Harper! Harper, come back here!”
I don’t stop. I don’t even think about stopping, but with every step, blades cut me. I’m bleeding inside and it’s like her voice is acid being poured in my wounds. I open the door and find Eric standing there. We stare at each other as my mother screams and tears prick my eyes.
I step into the hallway and shut the door. I can’t hear her screaming.
“I don’t want the money,” he says, his voice low, rough. “I didn’t know. I don’t care, not about anything but you.”
“I know that,” I whisper. “I know.”
I don’t know who moves then. Me. Him. Both of us, but we collide and hold onto each other, just hold each other. Neither of us wanting to let go.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Harper
“I don’t know what to do, Eric,” I whisper, pulling back to look at him. “She’s my mother, but she—she’s not a good person.”
The door opens behind me and my mother gasps. “You,” she hisses at Eric.
“Yes,” Eric says, his tone hard, a blade of steel. “Me. I’m still alive.” I rotate to stand next to him, keeping my hand at his back. He doubted me. He doubted us. No. He feared I’d believe the worst of him and that’s exactly why my hand settles firmly on his back. “And so is Harper,” he adds. “I’m keeping her that way and since that means dealing with Isaac, that means you, too, but for now, I suggest you leave. Stay hidden until this is over.”
“I have a husband who needs to be buried.”
“He wanted to be cremated. Have a service later, not now. Get on a plane and go to Europe with Gigi. Don’t come back until this is over.”
He’s protecting her and despite all my anger at her, all the pain of today’s revelations, this calms me. This allows me to breathe. He’s the reason I can breathe. Savage steps to Eric’s side. “We can escort her to make arrangements and then set up her travel.”
“Who are you?” my mother demands.
“One of the men keeping you alive, even if you don’t deserve us,” Savage snaps, clearly aware of what’s occurred. He was listening in. God, Eric was listening in. He heard every brutal moment I just shared with my mother.
“Do what they say, mother.” I keep calling her mother. I normally call her mom, but she’s different to me now. I can’t change that reality. I wish I could. “You’ll live. You’ll survive. You and Gigi might just want to stay in Europe indefinitely. Have the funeral there. You two loved Italy. It’ll give all your rich friends an excuse to go to Italy. I can’t believe I just said that.” I press my hand to my stomach. “I need to leave.” I twist out of Eric’s arms and start walking.