Total pages in book: 211
Estimated words: 201554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1008(@200wpm)___ 806(@250wpm)___ 672(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 201554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1008(@200wpm)___ 806(@250wpm)___ 672(@300wpm)
“You got it. We’re right around the corner.” I disconnect and slide my phone into my pocket.
“What’s the plan here?” Blake asks.
There’s a knock on the door and Grayson opens it. “Now?”
“Now,” I say, and he backs up, allowing Harper to enter.
She appears, and I swear just seeing her, punches me with awareness no other woman has ever made me feel. It’s not like I didn’t just see her minutes ago. “What’s happening?” she asks and Blake steps around to allow her to join us at the table.
“Your mother is threatening to call the police and the press and tell them that I knew my father denied my mother medical care, therefore I tried to kill him.”
“You didn’t even know when your father fell ill,” she argues. “I didn’t tell you until afterward, when she called and confessed knowing about it to me.”
“I went to the facility in Germany. I was trying to find peace in her suicide. I did ask why she was denied, but they gave me the standard—not enough spots—reply.”
She studies me for several beats. “I know how you reacted when I told you. You didn’t know.” She looks at Blake. I’ll swear my life on that.” She reaches into the small purse hanging at her hip and pulls out her phone. I don’t ask what she’s doing. I know.
She punches in a number and a minute later I hear her say, “Mom, don’t talk. Listen. If you come at Eric, you’re coming at me. I’m moving in with him. We’re together. And we both know he didn’t attack his father. You know why he was attacked.”
Her mother is silent so long that Harper adds, “The smartest thing you can do is to tell me everything, but since you won’t, let me make this crystal clear. Those men are men Eric hired to protect you because there’s an assassin on the move. Gigi fled the country, we assume to save herself. I’m going to have Eric pull all of those men. You’re on your own. I hope you don’t die but if you do, I love you.” She hangs up and slides her phone back into her purse. “Pull your men, Blake. If you don’t, she won’t feel the effects of what I just said.” Her gaze slides to me. “It’s time for your call.”
I stare at her, this beautiful, strong woman, and I feel things that I can’t even name. She stood by me. There was no hesitation, and I can’t say that it was a conscious test, but if it were, she’d pass with flying colors. I look at Blake. “Pull your men from direct contact, but keep them close. I’ll call you for an update when I get out of the meeting.”
“Understood,” Blake says, walking toward the door.
Harper’s cellphone starts ringing. She surveys the number and disconnects. “It’s her. I know her. She needs to squirm.”
In that moment, I decide she’s more than a princess. She’s a queen. One who I think rules me and I don’t even give a fuck.
“My father and your mother attended a meeting with the mob boss.”
“Not Isaac?”
“All I know is there was a meeting that involved your mother and my father.”
“Well, if you expected a shocked reaction, I’m beyond that with my mother. Let’s go make NFL magic.
Yes, I think. Queen indeed.
A few seconds later, with Harper by my side, we walk down the halls of Bennett Enterprises on our way to a meeting worth billions. And I don’t think it will be the last time we do this together. I didn’t know I needed Harper in my life, but I do now. And every second she’s here, I grow more willing to do whatever it takes to keep her by my side. I will do anything to protect her.
Chapter one hundred sixteen
Harper
We meet Grayson and Mia in a private conference room next to his office. “Davis tells me I have a chopper scheduled for tomorrow to the Hamptons. I’m supposed to meet with Jon Moore.” He glances at me and offers a quick explanation which I really appreciate. “He’s the CEO of a consortium with deep pockets.” He returns to his point. “He’s supposedly fueling a competing consortium trying to bid against us on the team. I’m meeting him because he called and asked to see me.” He pins Eric in a potent stare. “You wouldn’t have anything to do with that, now would you?”
Eric’s expression never changes. “I wasn’t aware Jon was involved.”
“That’s why you have me,” Davis says, from the doorway, also dressed in casual clothing—jeans and a company logo shirt. “To find these things out.” He doesn’t look at Eric, and with good reasons. This has to be the ploy to get Grayson out of town, Eric’s alluded to on several occasions, and I already know Grayson is sharp as a whip, and will pick up on any clue he’s given. I don’t even know these people and no doubt, Davis asked Jon to play a game for him.