I’m sure he is looking at me with hidden annoyance, as I’m this uptight finance guy about to tell him, the head of a security firm with a world of experience in this field, how he should fix this. But he doesn’t show it, and if anything, his interest in what I’m saying shows me what a good guy he really is.

As I’m talking, my phone buzzes in my hand, and a message from Rem appears.

Rem: I know where you are, asshole! If you don’t get yourself killed, then I’m going to do it the moment I see you. Call me when you finish with Ashton!

Fuck, I forgot one piece of important information in my plan.

The GPS tracking in my phone.

Shit!

Chapter Nineteen

HARPER

Talking to Felisha tonight, curled up on the couch with a glass of red and some wicked strawberries with chocolate sauce, has helped. That weight that has felt like an elephant sitting on my chest all day hasn’t lifted, but at least I have explained to someone what happened.

Flynn thankfully made an excuse that he had work to do and disappeared into his study so it was just the two of us and I could talk freely. We both ended up in tears when she started blaming herself for her words that sent me spiraling, but I assured her it wasn’t her fault. To be honest, me freaking out and running probably would have happened soon anyway. I’m not built for commitment, it’s as simple as that.

But I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about the catalyst of Forrest calling me the pet name my father gave me. I have never shared with anyone except my therapist the reason why I don’t like to be touched or hugged, not even Felisha. But I suspect my mother knows because I went from a daughter who loved to snuggle with her father, who would run to the front door as soon as I heard the handle turn and leap into his arms, to a twenty-year-old woman who would hyperventilate the moment anyone came too close to me. She never said anything to me, and it’s probably because she was dealing with so much of her own grief at the time, she just couldn’t take on any more.