The second I turn onto our street; I plant my foot into the floorboard until I get to my drive. My window is down and the gate is opening as soon as I type the code in, there's no time to waste, he's not getting his hands on her again.
As soon as we're through, I hit the garage opener, doing my best to get her inside and keep her safe. Putting it in park, I use the controller to close the door and jump out to make sure the gate is locked.
Once I check our surroundings, I reach for her as darkness fills the room. "It's Alright, Harper. I'll never allow him to hurt you again."
I'm not even looking when Harper takes my hand, but the minute she does, it's as though a charge of overwhelming power surges through us. There's never been a time, our bodies haven't reacted this way to one another.
My eyes shoot to hers as she climbs from the back. "I've had enough excitement for today, stop trying to give me a jolt."
"I could say the same." She releases my hand, and we shake off the frenzied current running between us.
"I need to say something before I either chicken out or miss another chance to tell you." She pauses, lifting her eyes to mine. "I can't remember a time; I didn't love you. From the first time I saw you run up to the tree house and climb that old ladder to the last night we spent together in the barn, I've loved you and so deeply, I've never been capable of letting you go."
My chest constricts, I want to take her in my arms so badly; they ache, but I know I can't. Not now and maybe never. "I've waited for what feels like a lifetime to hear you say that but we both know this can't go any further, not yet. I want to tell you so much; I need you to understand everything that's happened between us and give you the clarity you might need to move on. No matter how you do so, I'll always be right here."
"I know," she rests her forehead on my chest, weeping quietly. "and it may never happen, but I wanted you to know I've always loved you and as much as I need you to love me, I agree though it isn't the time. I'm married and this is wrong, in so many ways."
"Loving you will never be wrong, but our timing couldn't be worse." I lay my hand on her back, needing to feel her and wanting to soothe her. I slowly rub up and down. "I'm so sorry for wasting all this time and for letting you go through life not knowing how much you're loved."
She gazes up at me and I'm gone. Lost in her eyes and praying I get the chance to show her how much she means to me. "Promise me, you'll stay safe. I could never live with myself if something happened to you."
"I promise... you're safe." I press my lips to her head and pull her along with me as we head inside.
I can't help myself, and I know it's affecting Ridge too. Even the ride home was undeniably tense. It was palpable. I twisted and turned as I watched the surrounding streets, waiting for Weston.
Ridge ushered me in the house, locking us down as soon as we were safely inside. Now, he's pacing while I sit in the room's corner hoping today isn't the last day of my life.
"Ridge?" My heart stops as I wait for the sound of his voice. It's the only solace I can find that settles me.
"I'm here." He rushes over to me, kneeling by my side. "Are you Alright? Can I get you something?"
I wince. "I hate to ask."
"Why would you ever hate to ask me for help?" He lays his hand on my knee, drawing my eyes to him. "You know, I've always had your best interest at heart. Even when I pointed out I could see your panties from the ground while you were in the tree house."
I pull my hand away from my mouth. I've chewed on my thumb until the corner of it started bleeding before we could even get home. "Always a gentleman. Come sit with me, please."
"All you had to do was ask." He spins on the ball of his feet, sliding down the wall to the floor, next to me. His body heat immediately calms me. Or is it just Ridge that does?
An icy chill runs over me, making me shudder. I squirm from the encroachment, scooting closer to my beacon of warmth. "Sorry, my nerves are shot and I'm chilly."
"I gotcha," Ridge wraps his arm around me, holding me to his side. "we'll chill together."
My body jiggles from my repressed laughter. "Did you just go there?"
"I did, and I was cute doing it." He grins as I peer up at him.
"You're still so full of yourself!" I elbow him, giggling.
Ridge slumps further into the floor and as if on cue, my head finds his shoulder. "Comfy?"
"Why yes, thank you." I turn my head, covering my mouth as I try to fight off a yawn and make my eyes water. "A little too cozy, apparently. Wow, I could fall asleep right here."
He wallows his bottom lip between his teeth before taking a deep breath and opening his mouth. "Harper, do you remember where I told you the gun is?"
"Uh, yeah." My gut twists waiting on his next words.
My heart races when his hold tightens around me. "If anything happens, I want you to go there, get the gun and wait for someone to come to you."
"No, Ridge." My head shakes of its own volition. "I go where you go."
His eyes lock on mine, and my stomach plummets. "He doesn't want to kill me Harper, there's no way I can let that happen."
"See," my mouth fills with bile. "this is why I should've never come home. I've put everyone I love in danger and it's my fault."
"No, it isn't." He swallows hard. "I need to tell you something and once I do, I'm sure you'll never think the same way about me." My body quivers when suddenly Ridge stiffens, his jaw popping as he leans to the side and reaches into his pocket. He drags his cell out, glaring at it.
"Who is it?" My voice cracks.
His frown deepens as he answers it. "Go ahead, One." His silence is like a knife, slicing me and cutting deep.
"What?" I tug on his arm. "Tell me! I can't hear!"
Ridge side eyes me before rising to his feet. "Hang on, I need to put you on speaker or gag Harper."
"Hey! I don't want you two talking over me." I gripe, folding my arms.
"We're not," he reaches for my hand. "he's still waiting. Now, c'mon we need to head upstairs." I take his hand, standing and follow behind him.
"Harper, I wanted to let you both know Weston wasn't there by the time police arrived. It's as though he's disappeared again, so I was wondering if he has found the back way into the property." One's words are slow and clear, telling me everything I need to know. He's worried.
Ridge's grip on my hand tightens as we take the steps side by side. "How in the hell did he get outta that place so fast without being seen?"
"No one's looking for him, they have no idea what he's capable of. The FBI wanted to keep it quiet, so they could use Harper as bait." One seethes.
"There's no fucking way he could get away that fast without being seen by someone." The minute we get to the second floor, he's in an all-out bolt to the security cameras. He holds the door open for me, letting it close behind us.
I take the first seat, watching as Ridge scans the various screens. "One, what's the FBI waiting on? I thought they said he had an outstanding warrant?"