Scarlett shook her head. “Wow, Dad, when you screw up, you go big.”
Easton cleared his throat. “I’ll pay the remainder—”
Harlow swiveled. “Absolutely not.”
Her dad shook his head.
Easton gripped Harlow’s shoulders. “Listen. A loan. We’ll sort out a repayment schedule.”
Harlow’s father lifted his head, hope on his face.
Swallowing, Harlow shook her head. Everyone came to Easton looking for money, looking to take from him. She wasn’t going to do the same thing.
“Baby, I love you,” he said. “I want you safe and happy. This is a small thing for me. Let me do this.”
“I’ll pay you back, Norcross,” Charles said.
Harlow nibbled her lip.
Easton ran a finger down her nose. “What do you say, Ms. Carlson? You going to lean on me?”
She was still torn, but she didn’t want to see her family in danger anymore, or Easton getting shot at. “Okay, Mr. Norcross.”
He smiled. “Good.” He dropped a kiss to her lips. “I’ll call Vander. Get him to set up a meet with Armand.” Easton frowned. “The man took a shine to Harlow, and his crazy cousin is fixated on her.”
“Hugo?” Charles scowled.
“He’s probably long gone by now,” Harlow said. “Let’s just focus on getting a deal sorted with Antoine.”
Scarlett threw her hands in the air. “Then we can have a party to celebrate. Dad’s alive, and this whole mess is just about over, and Harlow is in love with a billionaire.”
Easton smiled. “I have a well-stocked bar at home. I’ll call Mrs. Richardson to organize food.”
“Who’s Mrs. Richardson?” Harlow asked.
“My housekeeper. “
“You have a housekeeper?”
“Yes. I don’t clean my house myself.”
Of course, he didn’t. “I’ve never seen her.”
“She comes in during the day. Oversees the cleaning crew, and stocks the fridge with food.”
“Must be nice to be rich.”
“Baby, just saying, you’re mine now, so you’re rich, too.”
“Oh, God.”
Behind Harlow, Scarlett laughed.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Harlow paced Easton’s living area.
Everyone else was chatting. Her mom and Gia sat on the couch, deep in conversation. Men’s voices were a deep rumble from the kitchen.
Pop.
She looked over, and saw that her sister had just popped the cork from a champagne bottle.
“Oh, my God,” Scarlett cried. “I love Moët & Chandon.”
“My favorite,” Gia called out. “Pour me a glass.”
Haven sat on the stool, Rhys beside her. Ace and Saxon were talking, beers in hand.
But Harlow was too nervous.
She couldn’t believe that this was all going to be over any second now. Although until Vander and Easton returned from talking with Antoine, it wouldn’t really be over. They were due back any minute.
And then she’d have to move back to her place.
Her stomach turned to knots. Easton had moved her in to keep her safe, and now she was safe. Everything had happened between them so fast.
She had to go home, and then… Her throat tightened. What if after all the excitement, he wasn’t really in love with her?
Stop it, Harlow.
She focused on the fact that her father was safe. Antoine would agree to the deal, wouldn’t he?
She heard the doorbell ring.
“I’ll get it,” Scarlett yelled, champagne flute in hand.
“It’s Rome,” Ace said, looking at his phone.
Moments later, Rome joined them. Saxon tossed a beer at the man.
Harlow kept pacing. Finally, she heard the elevator.
She raced out, circling the stairwell. She met Easton’s gaze.
He smiled. “It’s over. Armand accepted the deal. Your father’s clear, and you’re safe.”
It was like a weight lifted off her. She jumped on him and he caught her.
Harlow kissed him. And when she lifted her head, she saw Vander smiling at them.
“You do smile,” she said.
“Sometimes.” Unfortunately, it disappeared. “The only dampener on the good news is that Durant is in the wind.”
Her gut clenched.
Easton’s hands tightened on her. “Armand cut him loose, and the last he heard, Hugo is planning to go back to France.”
Her gut loosened. “So, he’s gone. You know what, I think I need some champagne. My sister is already working her way through the bottle.”
Easton patted her ass. “I have a wine cellar, remember?”
She smiled. “Thank you. Both of you. I… Things would’ve turned out very differently without your help.”
Easton squeezed her and Vander inclined his head.
“All you have left to do is help me move back to my apartment tomorrow.”
Easton froze. “What?”
“I’m outta here.” Vander vanished like a ghost.
“I’m safe now.” Nerves were alive and kicking inside her. She smoothed her hand over his shoulder. “I can’t just stay here.”
His dark brows drew together. “Why not?”
His angry tone rattled her. “Why not? Because people date for a period of time, then move in after careful consideration—”
“Is that in a fucking rulebook somewhere?”
“Easton. Everything happened at light speed. It’s been crazy. I want to know that what’s between us is real.” She’d do anything to protect it, even if she didn’t like it.
His scowl deepened and he set her on her feet. “You don’t think our love is real?”
She bit her lip. “You’re twisting my words—”
“I love you, and I want you in my fucking bed every night. I want—”
“Hey, guys.” Scarlett appeared, Gia behind her.
“It’s a party,” Gia said. “Time to celebrate.”
Harlow found herself dragged back into the living room. Her gut still felt curdled, and she hated fighting with Easton like this. She desperately wanted to sort things out. She was crazy in love with him. She wanted to be with him.
She just didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize it. If they rushed things before they’d built a solid foundation, things could crumble.
She met his unhappy gaze across the room. He looked away, sipping a beer and talking with Vander.
After the party, once it was just the two of them, they’d talk. She’d seduce him out of his bad mood.
Food was spread out on the island, and she grabbed some cheese and crackers. She talked with her mom, who was so relieved that things were resolved.
It took a little while to realize that her sister was missing. Harlow frowned. When had Scarlett disappeared?
Harlow stepped out of the living area, and gripped the railing by the stairs. “Scarlett?”
She checked the powder room. No sign of her sister.
Then Harlow’s phone pinged.
It was a text.
She opened it and ice slid through her veins. It was a picture of Hugo, smiling in a deranged way.