As Harper’s body shuddered in his arms, Riley decided he’d pushed her enough.
For now.
Chapter 18
Riley walked through the door, having returned from dropping the girls off at day care, just as the phone began to ring. A glance at Harper tidying up the breakfast dishes was a welcome sight, one he would have reveled in if he hadn’t answered the phone.
“Sure, just a minute please.” He covered the receiver. “Harper, it’s a doctor from the nursing home.”
The surprise on her face told him this wasn’t a usual occurrence. Riley’s radar went on full alert.
“Thanks.” She took the phone from him. “Hello?” Then she slunk down onto a chair. “Yes. Oh.”
Riley finished loading the dishwasher, trying to disguise his eavesdropping. Harper’s voice grew quiet and wavered slightly as he tried to piece together her conversation.
“Of course. I understand,” she murmured. “Thank you. Yes, I’m on my way. I appreciate the call, Doctor.”
He watched her as she disconnected the call, her body stiff and her face vacant.
“Harper?”
“Huh?” She met his gaze with a startled expression.
“You all right? What did the doctor say?”
“Alex...my big brother died last night. His heart stopped.”
Riley felt his face drop. He’d checked in with Nurse Mary daily since the first time he’d visited Alex. She kept him updated on Alex’s condition and hadn’t mentioned that he was fading. The life-support machines seemed to have been doing their job keeping him alive.
A red flag shot skyward. Had Alex’s heart actually failed? Or were Harper’s suspicions about his attacker six months ago, true? Had the person who shot him in that abandoned warehouse found out Alex was alive and in the nursing home, and gone in and finished the job? As far as Riley knew, only him, Marshall, and the FBI knew Alex Rainier had still been alive all these months.
“Jesus, honey, I’m so sorry,” he said, gathering her to his chest.
“Thank you. I need to go to the nursing home. I need to see him. And I guess I have to finalize his arrangements with the funeral home,” she said sadly.
* * * *
It was over.
“I’ll come with you,” Riley offered.
Numb, Harper nodded as Riley led her to his car and drove her to the nursing home. With his arm wrapped around her waist holding her close to him, Riley stayed by her side when she entered Alex’s room.
The nursing staff had removed the tubes and wires from his frail body and prepared him, as best they could, for Harper’s visit. For the first time in six months Harper thought Alex looked peaceful, at rest. Aside from the bandage still wrapped around the wound to his head. For all intents and purposes, it looked as if he was sleeping.
She stared at her big brother with mixed emotions. On one hand she was content that his--and selfishly, her--suffering was over. On the other hand, sadness and regret tore through her at the idea they would never have the opportunity to mend their broken relationship. And right smack in the middle of the two, she was furious that the dirty son of a bitch who’d shot him...had won.
Riley’s soft voice soothed her anger. “I’ll give you some time alone. Take as long as you want, there’s no rush. I’ll be right outside if you need me.” He gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze and kissed her cheek before exiting the room and closing the door behind him.
In the chair beside the bed, she sat and held her brother’s cold hand and spent the next hour telling him everything she couldn’t while he was alive. She concluded her internal cleansing by assuring him Olivia would know what a great man her father was, and his daughter would always remain Harper’s number one priority.
With a final goodbye, Harper opened the door to exit the room, and found Riley seated in a chair directly across the hall. He stood and closed the few feet separating them. Gathering her against his chest, he held her tight.
“I’m ready to go,” she whispered.
“You sure? There’s no rush, sweetheart. We can stay as long as you want.”
“Staying won’t bring him back.”
“I know, honey, but if you’re not ready--”
She pulled back and glanced up at him. Concern filled his eyes.
“I’m okay, Riley,” she told him. “Thank you for being here for me. It means a lot.”
Riley nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Let’s go then.”
From her favorite coffee shop, Riley bought them both a strong cup of coffee, and escorted her to the funeral home, where she made Alex’s final arrangements.
On the drive back to her house, Harper sat staring out the passenger side window, absently watching the scenery fly by. Her thoughts were deep and jumbled. Now it was just her and Olivia, and she was dreading the next phase of this sorrowful day. How could she break her niece’s heart by delivering the awful news that her daddy was never coming home?
When they arrived home, Riley asked Melina to take Zandra for a walk while Harper spoke to Olivia.
At the kitchen table Olivia sat on Riley’s knee while Harper drummed up her courage to crush Olivia’s world.
“My precious baby, I have some bad news to tell you.” Harper choked back a sob. “But before I do, I want you to know just how much I love you. I will always love you, and always be here for you.”
“I know that.”
Harper looked toward Riley for encouragement. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Sure you can,” he assured her. “She’s tougher than you’re giving her credit for.”
She nodded, gnawing on her lower lip. “Olivia, your daddy died last night. I’m so sorry.”
Olivia frowned, but she didn’t cry. “Oh.”
Harper assumed it was either going to take some time to sink in or else by now, Olivia had grown accustomed to her daddy being away.
“He’s gone, honey. We won’t be going to see him anymore, and he won’t ever be coming home,” Harper clarified, to ensure Olivia understood. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes, I understand. Daddy’s been gone a long time already. Now he’s an angel gone to live with Mommy in heaven,” Olivia said simply and touched Harper’s hand.
“That’s right, sweetheart,” Riley said against the top of her head.
“My mommy and Zandra’s mommy are best friend angels in heaven. That’s how come Zandra and me is best friends. And now you and Riley is best friends. They brought us all together. And now Daddy’s there too. They’re all gonna watch over us.”
Harper and Riley exchanged bewildered expressions. He shrugged behind Olivia, appearing at a loss for words.
“Uh, sure, sweetie.”
The front door burst open, and Zandra bounded into the kitchen to give Olivia a chocolate bar she’d bought her at the store.
“I’m sorry ’bout your daddy, Liv,” Zandra offered.
“Thanks. He’s all better now. Can we go outside and play?” Olivia asked with the enthusiasm and innocence only a child could possess.
“Of course you can. If you need us, we’ll be right here for you.” Riley plunked her on her feet and the two girls took off outside.
When they stood, Riley pulled Harper against him.
“Thank you for being supportive,” she said. “I don’t think I could have done that without you. I’m sure this isn’t what you signed on for, is it?”
“I love the good and the bad.” He pressed a kiss against her temple. “And I am not going anywhere.”
* * * *
Wide awake, his back pressed against the headboard of Harper’s bed, surrounded by pillows, Riley continued to hold Harper in his arms long after she’d cried herself to sleep. Her head rested against his chest, and her breath expelled in a soft whimper every so often. Absently, his fingers stroked through her hair. Turning his head, he placed a light kiss upon her forehead.
Riley was crumbling inside. It was unfair Harper had to go thr
ough this. She’d lost her parents a few years before, and for reasons she wished not to share with him, she and Alex had been estranged ever since.
Now, here she was, a young woman, far too young to be dealing with... He stopped thinking to refocus, knowing there was a lot she hadn’t shared with him. However, what he did know was, she should not be making arrangements to bury her brother. Alex’s death was senseless, and his passing left many questions racing through Riley’s mind. He wanted answers.
Come hell or high water, he intended to get them.
Chapter 19
Two days after Alex’s death, his ashes were laid to rest near his wife’s in a simple graveside service, with only Olivia, Harper and Riley in attendance.
After taking the girls home, Riley announced he needed to check in at the precinct.
“Are you going to be all right if I leave for a bit?”
“I’ll be fine,” Harper mumbled, helping Olivia from the backseat.
“I’ll only be gone a couple of hours. Call my cell if you need me. For any reason.”
She nodded and closed the car door, her head hung low as she disappeared into the house.
* * * *
Twenty minutes later a blue sedan pulled alongside Riley’s BMW in a packed mall parking lot. The lone occupant was his boss at the Bureau. They each rolled down their windows and swept a glance around the bustling lot.
“So, what have you got for me?”
“Nothing new I’m afraid. The search of her house yielded nothing, but I’m not giving up. The stuff has got to be in there somewhere,” Riley replied.
“What’s with the monkey suit? Not your typical studly attire.”
“Funeral. Harper buried her brother today.”
“Right. I apologize for my insensitivity. How is she holding up?”
“As well as can be expected. She’ll be all right. Although she’s opening up to me more, she’s still holding something back.”
“If anyone can get it out of her, it’s you, kid.”
“Thanks. Have you had any luck connecting Marshall and Alex outside of their working relationship?”
“’Fraid not. But we’re not prepared to sniff any closer to Marshall just yet. You wanted control, the upper brass is leaving things in your hands. For the time being.”
Riley nodded. Lucky him. “Alex’s death seems too coincidental. Too neat and tidy.”
“I agree.”
This assignment was taking a toll on Riley. When it was over, he was packing Harper and the girls up and the four of them were going to take an extended holiday. If Harper was still talking to him after this.
“Does it ever get easier?” he asked his boss. Riley knew in his line of work, personal relationships were difficult to maintain. He was fortunate that with his current assignment, he was able to spend lots of time with Harper, and the girls, but who knew what the next assignment held. And despite his best efforts to leave work at work, it wasn’t always an option.
Over the course of the past several weeks, Riley recognized he was more grounded than he’d ever been, and he owed his newfound liberty to Harper.
“Not when you’re emotionally vested it doesn’t, kid. You gotta get your head back in the game, and stay focused. I want this wrapped up soon. Real soon.”
“I do too, believe me.”
And he meant it. This assignment was wearing on his nerves. He was having trouble keeping track of his own comings and goings these days. He hated himself for deceiving Harper. He was terrified that if, or when, she found out he was trying to get information out of her, she’d never trust him again. Never want to see him again. He couldn’t afford to lose her, not after finding her.
“When do you meet with Marshall?”
“Top of the hour.” Riley glanced at his watch.
“Keep me posted.”
“Will do.”
Chapter 20
Harper was paying the delivery guy for a pizza when Riley pulled into the driveway.
It started raining as he stepped onto the porch. He took the pizza box in one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her close and kissing her fiercely on the lips. His tongue slipped past her teeth, tasting a hint of strawberry in the warmth of her mouth. He held her tight to his length, slightly bending her over backward so she could feel his erection press against her hip.
Behind Harper the girls squealed. “Pizza!”
Riley groaned and reluctantly ceased his oral caress. “I’ll pick this up later.”
“I can hardly wait,” she said, gazing up at him, desire evident in her eyes.
As they corralled the girls into the kitchen for dinner, a loud crack of thunder crashed, rattling the windows in the kitchen. Lightning soon followed.
The Fun-Stuff Committee of Good Times had elected tonight would be pizza and movie night. Riley had picked up a couple of movies and snacks on his way over after work. Since it was going to be a crappy night outside anyway, the thought of snuggling while watching movies seemed like a great idea.
After dinner, while Harper helped the girls with their baths, Riley made use of the alone time to rifle through the kitchen for Alex’s stash of data. He’d searched every room and closet in Harper’s house and every damned nook and cranny he could find. So far, he’d come up empty handed. He’d found absolutely nothing in the house to indicate Alex had been a police officer. Aside from the pictures in the boxes he’d located under Harper’s bed, there was no evidence the man had ever lived in the house.
Christ, this was not going as smoothly as he’d first thought it would. If Harper had her brother’s surveillance materials, she’d hidden them extremely well. He’d even managed to sneak a peek up in the attic.
He was standing on a step stool, hands on hips, as he glanced into the open cupboard door above the fridge. The kitchen was the last unexplored room, and he wasn’t having any luck in there either.
“Is there something I can help you find, Riley?” Harper’s voice shattered his bewildered daze.
“I, ah, was looking for the big red bowl you use for popcorn. I can’t find it.”
He watched her gaze shift to the top of the fridge. He looked down. Directly in front of him was the red popcorn bowl.
“Oh. There it is.” To mask his unease at being caught nosing around, he chuckled. Harper’s brow furrowed as he stepped down off the stool. “I guess I didn’t see it.”
“I guess,” she said dryly. “The girls are ready to watch a movie.” She turned and strode into the living room.
Shit! That was the third time she’d caught him snooping around. He had to finish this assignment and fast.
Having dragged their blankets and pillows into the living room, the girls settled onto the sofa, sandwiched between him and Harper. The four of them began to watch the latest Disney princess cartoon. Ten minutes into the movie another loud crack of thunder struck, and a bright flash of lightning rippled across the sky. The power went out, plunging the house into darkness.
“It’s really dark in here,” Zandra whispered. She was afraid of the dark.
“Stay put, my girls, I’ll--” Riley was about to fetch a flashlight he’d seen in the drawer beside the fridge while he’d been looking around, but stopped himself. Despite the fact he’d been in her house more than his own in the past couple of weeks, his knowing the whereabouts of the flashlight might get Harper wondering how he knew it was there. The last thing he wanted was for her to become suspicious of him. “Uh…where’s your flashlight? And maybe matches to light some candles?”
“Both are in the top drawer beside the fridge,” Harper replied.
Crisis averted. “Be right back.”
After lighting a few candles, the four snuggled under the blankets once again and read storybooks by flashlight.
* * * *
Half an hour later, both girls were asleep against Riley’s chest. Harper’s heart nearly burst at the sight before her. What a beautiful picture. Riley was gorgeous. His dark, wavy hair w
as a tousled mess on his head. A single stray lock hung in the middle of his forehead. In that moment she pictured him snuggling a baby, perhaps one of their own, as he dozed on the sofa. Warmth spread throughout her body, and a smile lifted her lips. She wondered if a life with Riley would always be this perfect. Right now, it definitely felt perfect.
Riley’s whisper pulled Harper from her daydream. “I’m going to tuck these two in. After that, you and I are going to pick up where we left off earlier on the porch.”
Harper’s belly flipped, her nipples poked against her shirt and her clit tingled in anticipation of the promise in his voice.
* * * *
When Riley stepped into the bedroom, Harper was kneeling in the middle of her bed. The candles she’d lit cast a warm glow throughout the room. His gaze devoured her with a look filled with such hunger, her body ignited with intense need in an instant. He leaned against the doorway and watched as she pulled her t-shirt over her head in a seductive tease.
She loved this man.
Leaning over on all fours she crawled to the foot of the bed and crooked her finger at him. “Come here.”
The fire in his eyes sent her pulse racing. His gaze focused on her breasts as they swayed from side to side with her every movement. A mischievous grin lifted his lips. She ached to feel his mouth on her.
Riley pushed himself away from the doorframe and on his way across the room, discarded his shirt. Once in front of her, he stroked a fingertip down her cheek. The gentle touch sparked warmth low in her belly. She reached over and slowly unfastened the button before sliding the zipper of his shorts down. Once undone, he pushed them, and his boxers, over his hips and let them fall to the floor. His cock, fully erect, bobbed before Harper’s face.
“Well, hello there,” she purred to his member, wrapping her fingers around his girth.
He hissed when she brushed her thumb over the wide tip. She smiled at him as his length jerked in her hand. Harper loved the weight of him in her hand. He was hard, his skin warm and velvety soft. The musky scent of him was nearly an overload to her already aroused senses. Adding fuel to her fire, he thrust his hips, sliding the length of his shaft along her palm.
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