Harlow found herself dragged back into the living room. Her gut still felt curdled, and she hated fighting with Easton like this. She desperately wanted to sort things out. She was crazy in love with him. She wanted to be with him.

She just didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize it. If they rushed things before they’d built a solid foundation, things could crumble.

She met his unhappy gaze across the room. He looked away, sipping a beer and talking with Vander.

After the party, once it was just the two of them, they’d talk. She’d seduce him out of his bad mood.

Food was spread out on the island, and she grabbed some cheese and crackers. She talked with her mom, who was so relieved that things were resolved.

It took a little while to realize that her sister was missing. Harlow frowned. When had Scarlett disappeared?

Harlow stepped out of the living area, and gripped the railing by the stairs. “Scarlett?”

She checked the powder room. No sign of her sister.

Then Harlow’s phone pinged.

It was a text.

She opened it and ice slid through her veins. It was a picture of Hugo, smiling in a deranged way.

I have your pretty sister.

Front door. Now.

Tell any Norcross fucker, and I’ll slit her throat instantly.

Harlow couldn’t breathe. No. No. No.

She looked back toward the party, could hear everyone laughing and talking.

If she told Easton—

Dammit, she couldn’t risk her baby sister.

But Harlow had no illusions. If she went to Hugo, he’d hurt her.

Think, Harlow.

She raced into Easton’s office, and found a piece of paper and a pen. She scrawled a note.

Trying to act calm, she wandered back into the party. She opened the refrigerator, and popped the note inside, by the beers. The men were almost ready for fresh ones. They’d find the note shortly.

She’d go out, then stall Hugo until help arrived.

Not a great plan, but it was the best she could do on short notice.

She looked back. Easton was turned away from her. She drank in his handsome profile, her heart pounding so loud she was sure that he’d hear it.

Then she turned and quickly jogged down the stairs. She had no shoes on, but there was no time to go and find any.

She opened the front door.

Instantly, hands grabbed her and yanked her out of the house. Hugo pulled her roughly down the front steps.

“Where’s Scarlett?” There was no sign of her sister.

Hugo grinned and pointed upward.

In a floor-to-ceiling window above, Harlow had the perfect view of her sister asleep in a huge armchair.

Oh, no. Harlow felt like a hand squeezed her lungs.

“She’s inside, but now you’re not.” He knocked her phone out of her hand. It hit the sidewalk and he stomped on it.