She shot her sister a look. “Scarlett, this is Vander Norcross, Easton’s brother. Vander, my sister, Scarlett.”
Vander nodded.
Scarlett dropped into a chair, a hand to her chest. “Hi.”
Then Vander’s face hardened. “I have bad news.”
Harlow stiffened. She couldn’t breathe. Easton slid an arm around her.
“Things are heating up. I haven’t found your father, but Rhoda is done being patient. That also means that Antoine has stepped up his game to find your father. If we don’t find him first…”
Scarlett gasped.
Harlow closed her eyes and leaned into Easton. Oh, God.
Easton sat Harlow in a chair. She looked shaky, but her chin lifted. Facing her problems head on.
Scarlett looked pale and pissed.
“Rhoda knows we’re looking for Carlson and the dagger, but she has a reputation to keep,” Vander said.
Easton nodded. “If she comes across soft, others who owe her money will step out of line.”
Vander lifted his chin. “She’s already had a couple of people pushing the boundaries.”
“God, I’m going to kill Dad.” Scarlett’s voice was shaky.
“Rhoda wants your father, dead or alive,” Vander said.
With a cry, the sisters grabbed each other, hugging each other tight.
“And Antoine doesn’t want to lose out here. He’s put more men on the street to find your father, too.”
“Fuck.” Easton gripped Harlow’s shoulder. “It’ll be a war.”
Harlow reached up and grabbed his hand tightly.
“And that means Carlson’s family could be targets,” Vander said. “A way to draw him out. They know Harlow’s off-limits, but they could get desperate.”
“What about mom?” Harlow said. “And Scarlett?”
“I sent Rome out to watch your mom,” Vander said.
“Thank you, Vander,” she said shakily.
Easton and Vander shared a look. Easton nodded his thanks.
“And Scarlett?” Harlow hugged her sister.
Easton crouched in front of the pair. They didn’t look alike, but they had the same eyes, and the exact same look of worry on their faces.
“I’m sending Scarlett to Gia. Saxon’s house has good security, and they have spare rooms.”
“Gia is Easton’s sister,” Harlow told Scarlett. “She’s great.”
Scarlett swallowed. “I’m sorry. I rushed in here thinking just about me. You always try to protect me.”
“It’s my job as your big sister, Lettie.”
Scarlett squeezed Harlow’s hand. “I’m all grown up, Low. You don’t have to be the one shouldering everything all the time. But I never dreamed that Dad was in this much trouble.”
Harlow nodded and bit her lip.
Scarlett met Easton’s gaze, assessing for a second, before she looked back at Harlow. “I’m glad you have people helping you.”
“We’re going to keep you safe,” Easton said. “And Harlow is staying with me.”
“Really?” Scarlett drawled.
Harlow elbowed her sister. “I need you to stay safe. Let Easton and Vander find Dad.”
“As long as you’re safe, too.”
The sisters hugged each other.
“I’ll call Gia and Saxon,” Vander said. “Give them a heads-up. I can take Scarlett over to their place.” He glanced at Harlow’s sister. “Only problem is that I’m on my bike.”
“Bike?” Scarlett breathed. “Like a motorbike?”
A faint smile crossed Vander’s lips. “Yeah.”
Scarlett jumped up. “Take me, I’m all yours.”
“He’s too old and dangerous for you,” Harlow said. “Be good.”
“You have a hot guy already, so don’t be greedy.” She winked at Vander. “Let a girl dream a little.”
Vander shook his head and opened the door. “Let’s go.”
After they left, Easton pulled Harlow into his arms. “It’s going to be okay.”
“It doesn’t feel like it.”
Easton nuzzled her hair. When she tilted her head back, he took her mouth.
She made a hungry sound, and wound her arms around his neck, then kissed him back.
“Mr. Norcross, I have the report—oh. Oh.”
Harlow jerked back like she’d been electrocuted. Easton held on to her, and looked over at a wide-eyed Gina.
The woman stared at them for a second before her gaze zipped around the room like it didn’t know where to land.
“Thanks, Gina,” he said calmly. “Leave the report on my desk.”
The woman did as requested, and hurried out.
“Harlow—”
“Oh God, this will be all over the office in the next hour.” She squeezed her eyes closed. “Gina is lovely, but she has no filter.”
“So? I was never planning to keep our relationship hidden, like a dirty little secret.”
“It’s different for men. You’ll be the big man tapping his assistant, all sly grins and admiration. I’ll be the one sleeping her way to the top, and people will start to wonder if I’m actually any good at my job. And then I’ll have to dodge sleezy passes from assholes who think I’m an easy lay.”
Black anger roared through him. He tugged her up so her face was inches from his. “If anyone says, or does, anything inappropriate, you tell me.”
“You can’t fight my battles, Easton. Especially once this situation is over, Mrs. Skilton returns as your assistant, and I’m out of your life—”
He growled. He wanted to shake her. “You planning to scrape me off already?”
Her eyes widened. “What?” She shook her head. “I know you…you don’t keep women around.”
Fuck, this pissed him off. “I think you’re keeping a wall up between us, Harlow. You’re too scared to trust me. You’re determined to take care of everything yourself, and not share with anyone.”
She pulled away. “With everything going on, I’m doing my best, Easton.”
“Let me in, Harlow.” Frustration made his voice sharp.
She stared at him, swallowed. “I have. As much as I can.”
“Actually lean on me,” he said.
“Easton—”
His phone rang.
She straightened. “That’s your next video call with Horizon Tech.”
“I don’t give a fuck.”
She headed for the door. “We’ll…talk later.”
“Running away, sweetheart?”
She lifted her chin. “I’ll be right outside.”
He watched her go, then slammed his palm down on the desk.
He was fucking falling in love with Harlow Carlson, yet she felt like water in his hands. He couldn’t get a good grip.
And he was afraid that once she was safe, she’d disappear.
He reached for the phone.
Well, there was one thing he was good at, it was closing a deal. He’d get her where he wanted her.
Where he needed her.
The rest of the day was a blur of work. Harlow made an effort to avoid him. His lunch appeared on his desk while he was in the restroom. And she only brought reports in when he was busy talking on calls.