He found Ace in the formal living area, laptop open, kicked back in an armchair.
“Hey,” Easton said.
“Hey.” Ace straightened. “Any luck?”
Easton shook his head. “Durant is a cockroach.” He’d slithered into a dark hole somewhere.
“He seems pretty fixated on Harlow.”
Easton’s lips flattened. “He’s not going to get near her.”
“Sick fucks like him don’t give up easily.”
“Armand’s cut him loose.”
“Makes him even more volatile.”
Easton felt his gut tighten. “Thanks for looking out for her.”
“Easy job. She’s sweet, funny. She was wired when you left, made me some coffee. She was worried about you. Then she crashed.”
“She still asleep?”
Ace nodded, then rose. “I’ll get going.”
“Any sign of Carlson?”
“Narrowed down some options. We’re getting closer, I can feel it. We’ll bring him in soon.”
Easton scraped a hand through his hair. He’d need caffeine to get through today. “I want this over, and Harlow safe.”
Ace slapped his back. “Hang in there, amigo.”
Easton let Ace out, then headed upstairs.
When he entered his bedroom, he didn’t even look at the view. His gaze went straight to the woman sprawled in the center of his bed. She’d half kicked off the covers. She was on her stomach, one long leg hitched up. That drew her pajama shorts up, giving him a beautiful view of her panty-covered ass.
He swallowed a groan and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached out and stroked her thigh.
She made a cute sound and rolled over. Then she peered at him out of sleepy eyes.
“Hi,” she murmured.
“Hi. You got some sleep?” Damn. He looked at the bandage on her arm and his gut went tight. Last night could’ve been much worse.
He could have lost her.
She rose up on an elbow, her blonde hair in a tangle. “I did. You didn’t.”
“There’s a pot of coffee with my name on it somewhere.”
She sat up, and stroked his stubbled jaw. “Any luck finding creepy Hugo?”
Easton shook his head. “He can’t run forever.” Easton slid a hand under her tank top, and cupped her breast. He thumbed her nipple. “Time to shower and get ready for work.”
She licked her lips, her nipple beading. “Right. You have some important meetings today. And your charity director wants to talk to you today about the Veterans Picnic, and she wants a big masquerade charity ball this year. So brace.”
“Harlow, you aren’t coming into the office today.”
She blinked, her sleepiness gone. “What?”
“It’s too dangerous. I want you protected—”
“I’m not staying here doing nothing. I’ll go crazy.”
He cupped her shoulders. “I know. I’m taking you to the Norcross Security office. You’ll be safe there. I’m sure Vander can find something for you to do.”
She sighed. “When will this end?”
He slid his thumb along her cheekbone. “Soon, baby. Hang in there.”
He hugged her and she held on tight.
They showered together, and ate breakfast. Exhaustion was an old companion that Easton had learned to deal with in the Rangers. But he was a little out of practice. He sucked back a second cup of coffee, then locked the fatigue down.
Harlow rushed in wearing jeans. Dark ones that hugged her body. She’d tucked them into knee-high, brown boots and she was wearing a gray sweater with a draping neckline. She looked gorgeous.
“I have something for you,” he told her.
She raised a brow. “What?”
He held open a small box and saw her go still.
Harlow stared at the sapphire-and-diamond earrings. “No.”
“Yes. It’s just a little gift.”
“I can tell that they’re expensive.”
Shit, he wasn’t going to tell her about the matching necklace yet.
“I want you to wear something of mine.”
“Easton—”
“Please. Seeing you get shot last night—”
“Nicked!”
He cupped her cheek. “Please?”
She sighed. “Oh, fine.” She snatched the box.
“You are so fucking hard to give things to.”
Her face softened and she lifted one earring. “They’re beautiful, Easton. Thank you.”
They drove to the Norcross Security office in the X6. He pulled into the garage beside a row of other SUVs.
“Will you borrow this SUV until you get a new Aston?” she asked.
“No. I have a driver coming to pick me up. And I have another car, remember? The R8.”
“Oh, right.” She waved a hand. “You billionaires always have a spare sports car lying around.”
As they headed for the stairs, he swatted her ass. “I hear that sarcasm, Ms. Carlson.”
She grinned.
He was happy to see her smiling. And he really liked seeing those pretty sapphires on her ears.
They walked into the main office. It was busy today, with several people sitting in offices, or walking through the central open space.
Harlow raised a brow. “Who are all these people?”
“Vander subcontracts on larger cases, and he has a few extra employees for specialized jobs. Like surveillance and security.”
Saxon strode out of an office and spotted them. “Hi. Harlow, how are you doing?”
“Okay.”
The man reached out and gave her a quick hug. “You gave us a scare.”
“Well, as I’ve been told numerous times, it was only a nick. How’s my sister? She hasn’t driven you crazy yet?”
Saxon grinned, lighting up his handsome face. “She must save that for you.”
Vander appeared. “I hear I have an extra employee today.”
“You paying me?” Harlow asked. “Maybe you could lure me away from my current boss. He’s a workaholic dragon—”
Easton tugged her so she collided with his chest and then kissed her. It took two seconds to have her melting against him. “Be good.”
She nodded. “Be safe. Don’t freak poor Gina out. She’s terrified of you.”
He kissed her again, then he met Vander’s gaze over her head. His brother nodded, getting Easton’s message to keep Harlow safe.
“Watch out,” Easton warned his brother. “She’ll have your office organized and alphabetized, if you aren’t careful.”
Harlow poked her tongue out. Easton felt the urge to kiss her again, and decided why the hell not? He left her breathless.
“Go make some millions,” she said.
“I’ll pick you up this afternoon. Remember, be good.”
“Go.” She shooed him out.
Easton strode out to meet his driver. He hated leaving her, and made himself drag in a deep breath. It was time to focus on work, but for the first time, he was finding that impossible.
Chapter Nineteen
Harlow opened the small file room and shuddered. “You can’t be serious with this?”