“You’re dating Easton Norcross?” Carlson asked Harlow.

“He’s my boss,” she answered.

Carlson glanced between the two of them. “I thought your boss was Meredith Webster.”

“I’m temporarily Easton’s assistant. Dad, this doesn’t matter right now. The knife. Rhoda Pierce wants it back. She’s not a lady you cross.”

Carlson scraped a hand over his face.

“Dad, where’s the knife? You need to return it.”

“I can’t.”

“Dad!”

Easton watched as a bead of sweat rolled down Carlson’s temple.

“It’s gone.”

Easton frowned. Vander came in and leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

Carlson looked at him, then Easton.

“Carlson, I’m keeping Harlow safe,” Easton said. “You’ve put her in the path of some bad people. You will return the knife.”

“I can’t.” A hoarse whisper. “It’s gone.”

Harlow stiffened and Easton stepped closer. He pressed his hand to her lower back.

“Explain,” he ordered.

Carlson swallowed. “I had it in my car.” He ran his hand across his mouth. “I regretted taking it right away. I stopped to get coffee near Fisherman’s Wharf, wondering how to return it without Rhoda knowing.”

Of course, the man couldn’t just own up to his mistake.

“When I got back to the car, the knife was gone.”

“What?” Harlow breathed.

“Nothing was broken. The car was locked. I had the knife wrapped in a handkerchief in the middle console. I have no idea who took it.”

“Fuck,” Vander said.

“We have to find it,” Harlow said.

“We do,” Vander agreed. “Otherwise, your dad is fucked.”

She gasped.

“Vander.” Easton scowled at his brother.

Vander shrugged. “Sorry, Harlow. Don’t worry, we’ll find it. I’ll get Ace working on it, and I’ll put out feelers to see if anyone is trying to sell it, or shift the jewels from the hilt.”

“Thank you, Vander.” Harlow pressed her fingers to her temple.

“Carlson, you need to lay low until we find the knife,” Easton said.

Vander nodded. “I have a safe house you can stay at.”

Harlow spun. “Easton, it’s too much.”

“It’s fine, Harlow.” He rested a hand on her shoulder.

Her father was watching them.

“You help out all your employees, Norcross? And touch them all the time?”

“Dad! Easton has—”

Easton stepped forward. “You mean something to Harlow, and Harlow means something to me. I’m helping you out for her, not you. Don’t test my patience.”

Carlson nodded rapidly, his mouth clicking shut.

“Let’s go,” Vander said. “SUV’s parked out front.”

Harlow walked ahead with her dad.

“I’ll take him to our Oakland place,” Vander said. “Ace’ll find the dagger.”

“I don’t want this to take too long.” Easton wanted Harlow safe. They stepped out the front doors.

Vander’s lips twitched. “The longer it takes, the longer your gorgeous assistant has to stay with you.”