When we pulled in, I felt like breathing a sigh of relief. I was afraid they had already figured out who I was and would be waiting here, too.
My phone rang when I stopped the truck, and I grabbed it. Rush’s name was on the screen.
“Hey,” I said, opening the truck door. I wanted to hurry and get Harlow safely inside.
“Where’s Harlow?” Rush asked.
“With me.”
“Where?”
“Just got to my apartment,” I replied.
“Get her inside and don’t f**king leave,” Rush barked.
“Already ahead of you,” I told him, annoyed that he thought he needed to protect what was mine.
“She knows?” Rush asked.
“Yeah. Kiro called and warned her.”
“Did she know about her mother?”
“Yeah, she found out when we went to find her dad in Vegas. I was there.”
“They’re already talking about Harlow. Keep the TV off,” Rush said.
“Planning on it. I’m taking care of her. I don’t need you telling me how the f**k to keep my woman safe.”
Rush was silent a moment. “Okay. Fine. But if—” he paused. “Never mind. Call me if you need me.” He hung up and I took Harlow from the truck and slipped my hand into hers, and we both started running for the door. There was no one here, and I wanted to f**king keep it that way.
When I had her safely inside, I closed the door and locked it.
“You okay?” I asked her.
She nodded and stood there and stared at me. I wasn’t sure what she was thinking but I could tell she was battling something.
I took a step toward her and she threw herself into my arms. I hadn’t expected that but I caught her and held her. I realized this was the first time in her life someone had made her the priority. The relief in her body as she pressed against me told me everything I needed to know. My overprotected Harlow had never been protected for her sake, but for the secrets in her family and a woman she didn’t know was alive.
“From now on, you have me,” I told her, and she nodded against my chest.
Harlow
It took them only three hours to find us. Grant closed the blinds and curtains over the windows and glass doors leading out to the balcony. Cop cars were out there, too, and I knew Rush was using every ounce of power he had to get the vultures off me, but it wouldn’t do any good.
Grant was locked in his apartment like an animal because of me. I hated that. I watched him as he peeked outside, and I started to hate myself. I had done this to him. I was selfish and I let him stay with me. I should have run. I should have forced him to leave me. I should have told him that his fear of caring about someone whom he could lose was very real with me. I wasn’t sure how long I’d live. He could never get me pregnant. I’d seen him looking at Rush with Nate, and I knew he wanted that.
But he could never have it with me.
I was defective.
And now I was ruining his life.
Grant turned back around and saw me staring at him. He frowned and made his way over to me in a few long strides.
“I don’t like the look I see on your face. Ignore that shit out there.”
“I can’t. You’re locked in your apartment because of me.”