by Lauren Runow
For the last hour, Harper told me her theory, how Missy’s words had rubbed her wrong and even how my comment struck a chord. She’s right. I’ve always believed Missy had something on my father. I just thought it was something else.
I don’t know anything about cars, but when she explained how the accident could have been caused by someone unscrewing simple bolts and how her father had agreed it would be nearly impossible for the tire to come off in such a manner without someone tampering with and loosening the lug nuts, I felt sick.
Investigators had been at our house a lot after my mother’s accident. Some late at night and many times behind the closed door of my father’s study. I thought it was normal. As I got older and watched crime dramas, I started to wonder if that was typical.
My father is a bastard. A scoundrel. He’s not a murderer. He knows about cars though. Taught Austin everything he knows.
No.
There’s no way. I can’t believe it. Can I?
I wouldn’t put it past Missy though. She cleaned out my mother’s closets a week after her death. I was told she was helping out because my father couldn’t do it himself.
She donated everything to The Salvation Army. That’s probably why I swept in and took my mom’s New York furniture the way I did. Missy hadn’t given me a chance to keep anything else.
Her presence in our family was fast and official. It was as if she knew the place in my father’s bed was going to be vacant. Still, I didn’t think like that. I still don’t think like that.
“Are you sure?” I ask Harper, who nods her head.
My mother might have had enemies, but I wouldn’t know who any of them were. Odds are, if someone did do this, it was either Missy or my father.
As the thoughts run through my brain, it all seems more and more plausible.
I, too, heard Missy say the words, “And it got her pushed off a cliff.”
It’s times like this I know I’m not as old as I pretend to be. There’s still a bit of naivety left. As the seconds pass, I can feel my heart harden.
“Fuck,” I shout, causing Harper to jump in her seat.
I’m now by the window where I’ve been pacing for God knows how long. She must have turned the burners off on the stove, and she’s sitting on a stool, waiting for me to process … all of this.
“I knew that fucking bastard had something to do with it. It was too convenient. All of it. I had a front row seat and didn’t see it.”
She’s off the stool and at me in a heartbeat. Her hands grip my face as she looks up at me, pulling my face down to hers. “Yes, you did. You knew something was wrong. That’s why you took the file. I’m so sorry, Tanner. I really didn’t want it to be the truth. I had to make sure my dad agreed with me before I said something.”
I shake my head and pinch my lips in anger. “That’s why they want to sell. They’ve wanted to sell since day one. I bet they never expected Bryce to step up and run the company the way he did. That’s why he supported Austin’s military stint so much. They’ve been planning this the entire time. How could we have been so stupid?”
“You guys couldn’t have known. Your dad even said the day of the accident that—”
“She hit a fucking deer. Fucking damn it. They had this entire thing laid out.”
Harper grips me hard. Her arms are wrapped around my waist and clutching my back. I can feel her fingertips digging into my skin. She’s grounding me, letting me know she’s here. We’re here. It’s going to be okay.
It will. I hope.
I pull her close and run my hands through her hair. “I have to talk to my brothers. Can we put our honeymoon on pause for a second? I think—”
“Tanner, don’t worry at all about our honeymoon. We need to go to San Francisco.”
25
HARPER
What a whirlwind my life has become. Being Mrs. Sexton already has its perks as we fly to San Francisco first-class. We order drinks, a surprisingly good meal, and watch a movie. At least, I try.
I can’t help but worry what his brothers are going to think of me.
Hi, I’m Harper. I married your little brother, who is eight years younger than me, after only a few weeks, and, oh, yeah, I think your dad and your stepmom set up your mom’s accident.
I drop my head to my chest. I’m so screwed.
Tanner places his hand over mine. “Stop worrying.”
I glance at him. “How am I not supposed to worry? Do your brothers know we’re married?”
He turns in his seat, so he’s fully facing me. “No, but that doesn’t matter. They will love you, just like I do. I have no doubt.”
“How come you haven’t told them? You called my best friend and my dad yet no one in your family?”
“Harper, stop overthinking it. I called April and your dad because they were in the same city. You know exactly why I didn’t call my father, and I didn’t want my brothers trying to interfere. If they had met you first, I would have invited them in a heartbeat. Since they hadn’t, I knew they wouldn’t approve.”
“They’re gonna freak out when they find out, right?”
He shrugs. “Probably.” My face sinks right before he gives me a sexy smirk. “I’m just kidding. They won’t say shit because they know it’s too late. They’ll be by my side, supporting us. I promise.”
He kisses my cheek as the captain comes over the loudspeaker, telling us to prepare to land.
The thought makes my stomach flip. No matter what I do or say, I’ll be meeting my new brothers-in-law within the hour. And, from the way Tanner’s knee is bouncing upon descent, I know he’s gearing up for the big conversation.
The plan is to go straight to Bryce’s house. If he’s not home, we’ll go to Austin’s. Apparently, going to the office is out of the question since Tanner doesn’t want anyone to know we’re in town.
When we pull up to Bryce’s building, I feel like I have to pee, but I know, in reality, it’s just the nerves of meeting his family. Tanner gets our luggage out of the trunk.
I stare at the building, scared to walk inside. “Are you sure there’s room for us? I don’t want to intrude.”
“I heard his girlfriend just moved in, but he has a huge place, so it’s fine.”
I grab his arm as he steps past me. “When did they move in together? Tanner, we can’t stay with a new couple. We’re totally going to cramp their time together.”
“His girlfriend’s name is Tessa, and she has a son, so we are imposing on a family of three.” He laughs at my dropped jaw. “Don’t worry. His place is the size of Alcatraz. Trust me; there’s plenty of room.”
The doorman stops us as we enter, saying we need to be announced, but once he sees who Tanner is, he smiles, they shake hands, and he lets us up without a hassle.
As we enter the elevator and the doors shut, I chuckle to myself. “Let me guess … penthouse?”
He winks as he presses the PH button. With every floor we climb, I feel like my stomach falls in the opposite direction until it feels like it’s in my toes. I know so much about his brothers yet nothing at all. Tanner isn’t the type to gossip, so not knowing his brother moved in with a woman isn’t a surprise. I just wish I’d asked more questions, so I was better prepared.
The hallway is long and looks like a hotel. He knocks on the door at the end, holding tightly on to my hand as we wait.
When the door swings open, a man in a dress shirt with his top button undone and the sleeves rolled up stands before us. The phrase tall, dark, and handsome was penned for this type of man. The kind with a handsome face, dark hair, and coal-like eyes. I recognize him as Bryce Sexton.
Bryce’s genuine elation almost bring a tear to my eye as he wraps his arms around Tanner, bringing him in for a big bear hug.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” Bryce holds Tanner back at arm’s length and appraises him as a father would a son. “You cut your hair.”
“It was a surprise for my girl.” Tanner’s face is lit up wit
h happiness, and to my surprise, so is Bryce’s. “I have someone special I want you to meet. Bryce, this is my wife, Harper.”
Bryce’s smile falls. “Your what?”
“My wife.”
The coarse expression on Bryce’s face seems more like the man who Tanner described in previous conversations—stoic workaholic who gave up his dreams of travel and love to run the family business.
“You got married without consulting me? Does Austin know about this?” Bryce says. The elation from earlier is completely gone.
“Harper and I eloped,” Tanner says evenly.
“By yourselves?” Bryce looks dumbfounded.
Tanner grits his teeth. “That is the point of eloping.”
I want to mention that my father was there, but I believe that tidbit was left out on purpose.
Tanner is a few inches shorter than Bryce and younger by eight years, but from the way he’s looking at his older brother with a tight jaw and steady eyes, you’d think he was the older one. The two brothers have a standoff. It’s brief, but it’s powerful.
Bryce crosses his arms. He’s not looking at me. His gaze is focused on Tanner. It’s as if his problem isn’t with me per se; it’s the idea of him marrying. “You’re only twenty-two.”
“So were you when you took on the company. I hardly think my age is a question in the matter of judgment,” Tanner replies.
Bryce pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes. When he opens them, he lets out a large breath.
Tanner places a protective arm around me. “I know you have a lot of questions, and I’m prepared to answer them all. We’re prepared to answer them all. That’s why Harper and I are here.”
It’s now when Bryce looks down at me and then back to Tanner. If he knows his brother as well as I do, he knows the man does everything with a purpose. He’s an excellent judge of character and the smartest person in the room without showing off.
Bryce must agree because a slow smile builds on his face as he shakes his head with raised brows. He extends an arm. “Well, I guess I should greet you with more than a handshake. Though Tanner has a lot of explaining to do.”
A burst of nervous laughter expels from my mouth as I hug my new brother-in-law for the first time. “It’s nice to meet you, Bryce.”
“You, too …” Bryce’s voice trails off.
I have a feeling he already forgot my name.
“Harper,” I offer.
“I’m horrible with names. Took me forever to remember Jalynn’s, and she works for me. Please, come in.” Bryce holds the door open, and we walk into his elegant apartment.
We enter a foyer and put our bags down as Bryce closes the door and walks in front of us.
“That went better than I’d thought,” Tanner whispers into my ear as we shrug off our coats.
I shoot daggers at him. “You think that went well? He’s supportive, but I don’t think he’s too keen on the idea of his baby brother eloping. Thank God I have a copy of the prenup with me.”
“He’s definitely going to ask if we signed one. He’s probably worried you’re after our money.”
“Tanner!” I whisper-yell. “You said they were going to love me.”
He laughs. “They will. First, they’re gonna be pissed, and then they’re gonna love you. Trust me; if Bryce wasn’t high on cloud nine and in love right now, he would have kicked my ass in the hallway and then popped the champagne.”
I’m giving him my best evil death stare as Bryce says to us, “Austin’s here, too. I can’t wait to see his face on this one.”
“That’s perfect. I need to talk to the two of you. Together,” Tanner says.
“Now that he has a girlfriend, he’s been hanging out here a lot. Apparently, the racing circuit and drinking establishments he frequents are on the no-go list Jalynn has prepared. The guy is whipped. He’s here three nights a week. I like to think he’s here to hang with me, but honestly”—he stops and turns to Tanner—“I think he’s only here to play video games with Charlie.”
“Who’s Charlie?” I ask.
“Tessa’s son,” Bryce replies.
I do a mental tally of everyone I have to meet. Bryce, Tessa, and Charlie. Austin and Jalynn.
The apartment is grand, to say the least. A high ceiling and fancy artwork line the hallway of slate and marble with a crystal chandelier that is a perfect mixture of elegant and masculine. He must have paid a fortune for the interior design.
“Tanner’s here,” Bryce announces with a pause. Then, he adds, “And he has a wife.”
We turn the corner to a living room. A woman with long brown hair is standing by a large sofa that faces floor-to-ceiling windows. She looks up in confusion. I follow her gaze to the staircase where a man, woman, and a red-haired little boy are standing. Yes, there’s a staircase in the two-story living room of the penthouse apartment.
“Who’s Tanner?” the boy asks as he runs down the stairs to the woman whom I assume is his mom.
She lifts him up and whispers in his ear as she heads toward us. “Tanner? What an awesome surprise. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Tessa,” she says as she approaches us. “And this is my son, Charlie.”
“You look like Thor,” Charlie declares.
Tessa gives him a scowl. “Charlie has a thing for superheroes,” she explains.
Tessa is absolutely stunning. Tall with eyes that are an odd mix of violet and blue. It’s probably a trick from her makeup, which is absolutely flawless, as is her skin. This woman does not abuse the sun.
The couple from the stairs starts their descent, and I recognize the man with dark, wavy hair and—
Holy wow, this family has some nice-looking eyes.
Austin peers down at me with these navy-blue eyes that would make a sailor blush. He’s roguishly handsome with a cocky grin.
“Hold the phone,” Austin yells out. “Did you cut your hair?”
Tanner laughs. “You just found out I’m married, and my hair is the first thing on your mind?”
“I’ve been dying for you to cut that rat’s tail for years. Thank God you chopped it off.” Austin comes down to our level and makes Tanner turn around, so he can appraise the new look. He rewards his brother with a dramatic kiss on the head, which Tanner accepts and then pushes him away.
Jalynn hits Austin’s rib cage and then greets us, “Ignore him. Lord knows I try to. Tanner, we’ve spoken on the phone many times. I’m Jalynn.” She turns to me. “And, Harper, it’s so nice to meet you.”
Jalynn comes in for a small hug, and I’m overwhelmed with the scent of peaches.
“This is the first time Tanner’s brought a girl home. Okay, let me get a good look at you.” Austin appraises me from a few feet away. “You did good, baby bro.”
“Stop gawking at the girl. It’s creepy,” Jalynn scolds him.
“It’s flattering,” he says and then lifts my hand to kiss it in some sort of old-school greeting. His playful look goes horror-movie frightened in a nanosecond. “Holy fuck, what is that?” The entire room goes silent as he looks down at my wedding ring and then lifts Tanner’s left hand. “You two are married?”
Tanner looks confused. “Bryce just told you—”
“I know what he said, but I thought he was joking.” His arms are crossed over his chest. His face is stern. “How long have you known each other?”
“Long enough,” Tanner says. His fingers dig into my side where he’s holding on to me.
Tessa is staring at Austin with wide eyes while Jalynn is shooting daggers into his back. He doesn’t seem to notice either of them because his focus is on me and my intentions.
“How’d you meet my little brother?” he asks.
Tanner opens his mouth, but I hold up my hand, letting him know I got this. “We met at a bar. I was freaking out because my ex-boyfriend was there, so Tanner kissed me out of the blue and then walked away. So, I did what any logical person would do. I chased him down a subway platform. Not my finest moment, but that kiss
was … it was the kind of kiss you don’t let walk out of a bar.”
Austin shrugs. “Yes, us Sexton boys are a bit irresistible.” He turns to Jalynn. “I do believe our first kiss had the same effect on you.”
“Dream on. You’re lucky I didn’t kick you in the balls the first time you kissed me in the copy room,” Jalynn says with an eye roll.
Austin winks in her direction and then looks back at me with that stern face. I can only imagine the line of questioning I’ll get from the former Marine, and I know this can go from cordial to conflict in a heartbeat.
I step up and tell him my truth, “I’m no Missy, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ve heard the stories, and I had the unfortunate privilege of sharing a meal with her and your father—”
“A full meal?” Jalynn asks, surprised. “I couldn’t make it to the appetizers before telling those two off.”
Tessa waves a hand in the air. “I spilled my drink on her Dior. That’s the one and only time, and it was enough.”
Jalynn and Tessa high-five.
I look to Austin and Bryce. “What I mean is, I know what she is and why you’d look at me and suspect the worst. I’m not after Tanner’s money. Truth is, I’m actually uncomfortable with all of this. I know what money can do to people, and I’d just as well be happy with living in Tanner’s studio apartment where at least one of my things gets ruined with paint every week.”
Tanner’s hand relaxes at my side.
I look at him with a smile. “We’re in love, and this marriage is very real and made with the best of intentions. We’re happy to answer any and all questions you have. And I signed a prenup. Or a post-nup. I’m not entirely sure what it—”
“Which I strongly opposed,” Tanner adds.
“I’d like to see that,” Bryce states. Tessa gives him a beady-eyed expression. “I want to make sure they’re both protected.”
“Very fair.” I nod. “Just give us a few minutes because I’m a little jet-lagged and hungry.”
Bryce’s hands are buried deep in his pockets, and Austin still has his arms crossed. Bryce’s brows rise at the same time Austin’s head tilts to the side. There’s an awkward silence. My stomach grumbles, but I don’t think anyone can hear it with all the internal noise going on in our thoughts.
