by Emma Renshaw
“Did Rafael sway you to be his rat with money? Did you do this for fucking money?” I scream in his face, hitting him again.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Kiernan roars beneath me, rolling us until he’s on top. I flip him again, making him land hard on his back.
I take my knee from his neck, fisting my hands in his shirt, bring his face close to mine. “Tell me why,” I demand. “Tell me why you would betray me.”
“Fuck you, Roman. Get the fuck out of here. I would never and you damn well know it. Get the fuck out. Fuck you for even thinking it. I’d lay down my life for you and for her,” Kiernan yells in my face, pointing at Harper. “If I ever find out that it’s you who put those bruises on her, I’ll fucking end you. No brother of mine would do that.”
“She pissed me off,” I lie, testing him.
Kiernan roars as he flips us, wrapping his hands around my neck. “Fucking sorry excuse for a man.”
I punch in him in the jaw, rolling until I’m on top of him. “She betrayed me, just like you, you piece of shit.”
“Fuck you. She would never and I wouldn’t, either.”
I relax, pulling him up for a quick hug. If he’s concerned about Harper in that way, it can’t be him. “Fuck. Sorry about that, brother. I had to make sure it wasn’t you.”
Kiernan pushes me off him. “Fuck you. What the fuck are you talking about?”
He’s still pissed, but I can’t stop the grin taking over my face. I look over at Harper; she’s sitting on the bed, staring at us with exasperation. “This is ridiculous. Kiernan wouldn’t do that.”
“I had to make sure,” I say, getting up from the floor and kissing Harper in celebration.
“Again, what the fuck is going on?” Kiernan yells, wiping the blood from his face. “Did you fuckin’ do that to her?”
“Of course not, I wouldn’t lay a hand on her. We have a mole,” I inform him, sitting down on the bed next to Harper. “Get cleaned up and I’ll fill you in.”
“I’m going to get you back for this, motherfucker.”
“I’m ready to go, anytime,” I say grinning, feeling immensely lighter that Kiernan isn’t the rat—and that he cares enough about my girl that he would take me out without hesitation.
Kiernan walks into the bathroom, turning on the faucet. I gather Harper in my arms, rubbing her back in small circles. “Are you sure you’re okay, Sugar?”
“Yeah,” she whispers. “Just scared and heartbroken.” Her eyes well with tears.
“Sweetheart, your dad and Santiago may have done things that neither one of us understands, but they are still the men that you love. Your dad is still the man who raised you.”
“How can the man who kissed my bruises be someone that most people would consider a monster?”
Kiernan steps out of the bathroom, denying my chance to answer Harper.
“Now tell me. What the fuck was that?” Kiernan demands, sitting in a chair at the small table in the corner.
“We have a rat problem.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I went to the gym this morning, Harper stayed home. It’s the first time I left her alone in months. Rafael showed up, Harper woke up to him in her bedroom.”
“What the hell,” Kiernan says, looking at Harper with wide eyes.
“He says she has something of his. Motherfucker choked her.”
Kiernan closes his eyes, softly cursing, then looks back to Harper. “Are you okay?”
“A little sore, but yes, I’m okay.”
“He said some things that only I knew, things I told all the guys because I’ve had y’all looking for info. We have a rat. I’m sorry, man. I had to make sure it wasn’t you.”
“You know I would never betray you.”
“If it was anyone but Harper, I wouldn’t even question you. It’s her. I take no chances.”
“Understood, man. Any ideas?”
“Nope,” I admit, feeling pissed I don’t even have a clue. “Everyone is a suspect. Even Dawson.”
“I’ll see what I can dig up. How do you want to play this?”
“I don’t want to tip off Rafael that we know it’s one of my men. I don’t think he knew Harper would figure it out. We’ll let everyone know he broke in, but we won’t say there is an issue. Until he’s cleared, Dawson doesn’t go near her. I know he was going to come out with us, but find an excuse. He doesn’t even lay an eye on her until we’re sure it isn’t him.”
“Agreed. Let’s find the bastard.”
31
Harper
Roman hangs up the phone with James, looking at me with sympathy in his eyes. “We’re going to stay at Liam and Savannah’s lake house. James said the security is topnotch at their place.”
“It is,” I confirm, remembering Liam invested in advanced security technology when he bought that house.
“We need to get our stuff from your place. You don’t have to go back there, I’ll go and you stay here with Kiernan.”
“I’ll go, I’ll be okay.”
Roman walks over to me, cupping my cheek in his hand. “Are you sure, Sugar?”
“Yes, let’s go. Bye Kiernan.”
“Later, Harp. I’ll brief the team, tell them you’re in a hotel. You made the reservation, right?”
“Yep, we’ll swing by on the way to Liam’s to check in and drop off a couple things. Our cars will be parked in the garage. If anyone comes, it will look like we’re there. You’ll meet us in the garage with the rental?”
“Yep,” Kiernan says. “Going to pick it up before I brief the boys.”
“I swear to God, if you get me a Prius or some shit, I’ll kick your ass.”
Kiernan smirks. “Wouldn’t dream of it, boss.”
Roman grumbles, and I laugh as he grabs my hand and walks us out the door to his truck.
My hand is in Roman’s the whole way back to my apartment, and his thumb is rubbing slow strokes against my skin. After Savannah’s psycho ex-boyfriend, Aiden, I couldn’t even walk inside the old house. He ruined that place for us. This wasn’t as bad, but Roman by my side gives me strength.
“I’m proud of you,” he says softly as I take a deep breath before walking into my apartment.
When I step inside, it doesn’t feel like mine anymore. Another space I felt safe has been tarnished. Rafael easily waltzed through my front door while I was sleeping. If his intentions had been worse, I could have been dead before I even opened my eyes. The thought sends chills down my spine.
“Let’s get this over with,” I say.
Roman puts up a hand, halting me from entering any farther. “Let me check it out really quick.” He pulls a gun from a holster at the back of his pants.
When did that get there?
Roman quickly sweeps the small space, giving me a nod that it’s safe.
Roman is packed and ready to go within two minutes, while I have a huge suitcase sitting on my bed with barely anything in it. He told me to bring as much as I can since we don’t know when we’ll come back. I’m standing in my closet looking around, wondering what I’ll need. I overpack for a weekend trip—for this, I want my whole apartment. Unable to decide, I pull my mother’s jewelry box from its cubby, bringing it to my suitcase.
“What’s that?” Roman asks, staring intently at my hands.
“My mother’s jewelry box. Why?”
He looks up, confused, glancing between me and the box. “I don’t know. I think I’ve seen it before. I guess it was just in passing.” He shakes his head as if clearing his thoughts and gives a tiny shrug.
“Probably, she had it forever. My dad made it for her.”
Roman smiles. “I miss them.”
A lump clogs my throat. “I do, too.”
Desperately wanting to leave the apartment as quickly as possible, I start pulling clothes from hangers. Anything my hand touches goes in the suitcase. Half an hour later, I’m ready to go with three suitcases and my decoy bag that will stay at the hotel
.
“Let’s get out of here,” I say, wheeling the nearly-empty decoy suitcase behind me. I turn toward Roman. He looks like a donkey, loaded down with my bags.
“I’m going first, Sugar.”
I walk toward the door, and I put my hand on the handle to open it for him, but he stops me. “No, I’ll get it. Stay behind me.”
Roman makes quick work carrying all the bags down the stairs and loading them in his truck.
I feel Roman’s eyes on me through his rearview mirror. Before he let me get in my car, he coached me about staying close to his bumper, not letting anyone between us. I’ve been following him closely as he drives the long way, taking several detours on our way to the swanky hotel downtown. He winds around the parking garage, passing empty spaces before pulling into one on a middle level.
I hop out of my car, meeting him at the tail of his truck. “Wouldn’t it be better to be on the ground floor in case we need to make a quick getaway?”
He smiles and laughs. “You watch too many movies. Whoever my rat is needs to believe we’re unconcerned, people who have something to worry about don’t park in the middle of a garage.”
My eyes wander past him when my mouth drops open. “Oh, shit.”
“What, Sugar?” Roman says, grabbing me and swiveling his head, looking around the garage.
“Please don’t kill him.”
“Who?” he asks, still scanning the spaces until his eyes find Kiernan. “Motherfucker.”
Kiernan is grinning from ear to ear, leaning against an all-black minivan. Roman grabs my hand, pulling me behind him until he’s face-to-face with Kiernan. “You didn’t.”
“You said no Prius, nothing flashy, you wanted to blend in. I think I hit the mark pretty well,” Kiernan laughs, hitting the back of the van.
I cover my mouth, trying to contain my laugh, but a snort escapes. Roman whips his head to mine. “You are not laughing.”
“I am picturing you driving it.”
Roman growls. Kiernan puts his hand to his chest, acting offended. “I got you top of the line, no expense was too great. This baby is tricked out. You can take the pretty lady out on a date, then watch a movie in the back.”
I can’t hold in my laughter. I let go of Roman’s hand, walk over to Kiernan, wrap my arm around his waist, and his arm slings over my shoulder. Roman’s lethal glare isn’t upsetting us. “Babe, please thank your friend for helping us out.”
“We’re trading it in.”
“No one would expect us to be in a minivan,” I say, still giggling.
“I forgot to mention the best part,” Kiernan says.
“What’s that? It comes with a screaming toddler?”
“I rented this privately. Open one of the doors.”
“No,” Roman growls.
“Just do it,” Kiernan says, rolling his eyes.
Roman walks up to the side of the van, looking over at Kiernan, probably expecting something to pop out at him. I wouldn’t be surprised if the proud grin on Kiernan’s face is anything to go by.
Roman yanks on the handle, opening the door.
“Holy shit,” he says slowly, looking at Kiernan.
“Yep.”
“What?” I ask, looking at the door and inside at the driver’s seat, but I don’t see anything.
“How?” Roman asks.
“Apparently, you aren’t the only people in Austin worried about safety.”
“What is it?” I ask again.
“The doors and windows are bullet proof,” Roman answers, still inspecting the door. “See how thick the door is?”
Now that he mentions it, the door is thicker than a regular car door. Roman waves his hand, signaling me closer. “Feel the weight of it. Push it closed.”
It’s much heavier than a regular car door. “Wow,” I whisper.
Roman looks at Kiernan, letting a tiny smile appear on his lips. “You’re probably the only person alive who could find an armored minivan. Couldn’t find a bulletproof truck or SUV?”
“Now, that wouldn’t be any fun. You had to pay for my black eye. Watching you drive off in a minivan will do just fine as an apology.”
“Keys,” Roman says, holding out his palm.
“I knew you would make the right decision. This will keep Harper safe.”
Kiernan leaves as we’re taking our decoy bags from the truck and heading inside, hand-in-hand, to check in. I gasp when we walk into a suite too large to be used as a cover.
“This is too much,” I say turning to Roman.
“Nothing for you would be too much.”
“But, we’re not staying here.”
“We need people to think that we are. If we were staying at a hotel, this is the type of place and room I would get for you. My men know that.”
“Ah, so you do this for all the girls in your life.” I try to squash the jealousy that’s bubbling in my gut and remind myself that there are no feelings in this fling. It’s getting harder and harder with each passing day to ignore what this man does to my heart.
Roman is pulling clothes from our bags, tossing a dress on the chair and leaving shoes out with toothbrushes on the bathroom counter. I stand in the middle of the suite watching him work, fascinated by every detail he pays attention to. After tossing the bags in the corner of the room, he strides toward me with slow, confident, swaggering steps.
“The bed needs to look like we’ve been in it.” His husky voice sends a rush of heat to my core and causes my knees to shake.
“Oh,” I whisper.
“Only one thing I can think of to accomplish that.” His stare gets hungrier with each step toward me.
“Jumping on the bed?” I ask in a squeaky voice.
“Nope,” he says, stepping into my space, running a finger along my cleavage. He whispers softly in my ear. “If I put you on that bed with your legs spread and pussy dripping as I taste your sweet flavor then roll around on that bed fucking you, no one could deny that we’ve been here.”
“That––that could work, too.” My voice is trembling.
His mouth is so close to mine, his finger still tracing along my body, avoiding everywhere I want him to touch. My nipples are peaking through the fabric of my top, and his finger keeps dancing along, just out of reach. I shiver when he steps even closer and feel his thick erection pressing against me.
“How do you feel?”
“I feel good,” I answer, hoping he doesn’t treat me like glass, like I can’t handle being with him the same day Rafael terrified me. I can handle it. I want it. I need it.
“Good. Get on the bed.”
My fingers pop open the button on my shorts, dropping them to the ground. We left in such a rush this morning, I didn’t put on underwear. Roman groans in anticipation, licking his lips as he looks me up and down while I strip. He grips his hard cock through his jeans, not taking his eyes off me as I sit on the bed. I wait for him to make a move, but he just stares at me hungrily.
“We have to make the bed real messy, Sugar. Up for it?”
“Are you?” I challenge.
Roman drops his pants and briefs, ripping his shirt over his head as he stalks toward the bed, palming his dick. He spreads my legs as he gets closer, then surprises me by grabbing me and flipping me over. His big body moves us up the bed until we’re in the middle. As I raise my hips at his urging, he flips on his back, sliding underneath until I’m centered above his face.
Gripping my hips hard, he brings me down to his face and starts devouring me, leaving no space untouched. Unable to control myself, I roll my hips against his tongue, moaning. He groans, sending vibrations through my core. “Ride me, just like that baby.” I reach for the top of the bedspread, ripping it untucked, using it to anchor myself. I cry out his name when he brings his fingers into the mix, slamming them into me, while his tongue rolls along my clit. He licks and sucks through my orgasm, then picks me up before I have a chance to recover, slamming me down on his cock.
My vision blurs as
new sensations take over my body. I arch my back and grind down to get him even deeper. Roman bottoms out on each thrust, moaning in pleasure when I circle my hips. “It’s always so good,” I moan, rubbing my clit along his pelvis.
“Only this good with you,” he groans, as he sits up and brings one of my nipples into his mouth. He’s even deeper now. I can’t tell where he begins and I end, we’re fused so tightly together. Roman’s head lifts from my breast, looking up at me as my hands come to his face. Our intense fucking shifts into slower, more sensual movements as we get lost in each other.
I softly lay my lips against his as he rasps my name in prayer. My love that never truly left my heart or soul consumes me as I call out his name through my orgasm. Every broken piece of my heart comes back together, stronger than before—beating for no one but the man inside of me.
32
Roman
Harper’s hands shake as she pulls on her shorts and her head bent with her hair covering her beautiful face. Why won’t she look at me? I’m sitting on the bed with my briefs on and jeans in one hand, watching her and worried what we did was too much.
Harper spread out over the white sheets, hungry for more—it made me crazy. I became insatiable when she was riding me with a look of adoration. For a moment, all of her walls were down and I saw the fire and love that she gave me every day when we were kids in love. I’d fight any army of men for that woman.
My dick barely deflated after coming inside of her; we were both animals rolling around on the bed. There’s no mistaking what happened on that bed. If Rafael or any of his men snuck in here, they’d know what we did. It looks like we’ve been fucking for days.
After several rounds of mind-blowing sex, we crashed onto the bed tangled together. She leaned over to kiss me, stealing my breath with the look in her eyes, and then she completely shut down. She hasn’t said a word since she got up from the bed.
I watch her walk into the living area and take a seat on the couch as she waits for me to get ready.
