Dirty Sexy Alphas (Twenty Book Box Set) - Hannah Ford Page 0,312

fork hit the plate with a clatter. “Enough,” he growled.

“I’m getting to know the girl who has dragged my son into the tabloids,” Robert said. “And who happens to be the daughter of the man trying to ruin this family.”

“Robert,” Valerie admonished. “Harper is our guest.”

“Drop the questions, Dad,” Ethan all but growled at his father.

“I think I have a right to ask. We’ve heard nothing about her and then you’re linked to her in the tabloids. How can I not wonder if this is all part of Matheson’s plan? Use his daughter to get close, to find out what our strategy is and then report back? Even you have to admit it’s a hell of a coincidence. How well do you really know her, son?”

“Robert, I think that’s enough,” Valerie said. Harper saw the warning in the gaze she aimed at her husband. “Ethan, sit down and we won’t talk about this again.”

“We have a right to know who we let into our house.” Robert set his glass down and aimed his stare at Harper. “I didn’t get where I am by blindly trusting people.”

“I know her enough to know that it’s straight bullshit coming from your mouth.” Ethan dragged his fingers through his hair and tossed back the rest of his drink before pushing the chair back so hard that it tipped over. “Harper doesn’t have an agenda here, Dad. You’re the one who’s guilty of that.”

Tension filled the air and Harper’s stomach twisted. The tiny bit of food she’d eaten threatened to come back up. Of course his father would have questions. Of course he would be suspicious.

“How do you know she has no agenda?” Robert pressed. “What are the real chances that you both were on vacation at the same time and place with everything going on? Surely even you can see the chances of that are astronomical.”

Ethan clenched his fingers at his sides and his face grew darker and darker.

Harper didn’t want this. His parents seemed to be good people, she could tell that just by the little time she’d spent with them. She could plainly see that they loved Ethan. They weren't trying to manipulate him like her father had been doing to her.

Panic rose in her chest and she sucked in a breath. They needed to settle down, to talk this through.

“We’re leaving,” Ethan snapped.

Valerie’s face fell.

Ethan reached down and took Harper’s hand, tugged her to her feet.

“Ethan please. Sit,” Valerie pleaded.

“Not when he can’t let this go.”

Ethan and his father stared at each other, neither backing down.

“I’m pregnant,” Harper blurted out.

Two sets of startled gazes flew to her face and heat climbed into her cheeks. She hadn’t meant to just throw that out there, but she’d desperately needed to stop the fighting. She wasn’t going to be the reason that this family pulled apart.

Valerie covered her mouth with her fingers. Robert looked from Harper to Ethan with a frown. Ethan clenched and unclenched his fists but said nothing. Finally Valerie stood and patted Harper on the arm.

“Ethan, why don’t you and Harper go for a walk? It’s a beautiful night and I’m sure that she could use some air. I’ll have Martha reset the table for two so that when you get back you can eat quietly. In the morning, maybe we can all sit down and talk?”

Harper quickly agreed to the plan. As it was, she had no idea if Ethan was pissed at her for telling them like that.

“Fine,” Ethan growled, grabbing her hand to help her from her seat. He swung his angry gaze toward his father. “But no more questions about the case. We’re not here to be cross-examined.”

Robert seemed to acquiesce, but his eyes were dark and forbidding as ever as he watched them walk away.

Ethan tugged Harper along the patio until they reached a wooden walkway that led out to the sand. Her heels sank immediately and she pulled him to a stop.

“Hold on.” As quick as she could she slid them off her feet and left them there, then twined her fingers with his once again. The heat from his hand crawled up her arm and even though the sun had set and a cool breeze wafted from the water, she was warm. Safe. Protected.

“I’m sorry I just blurted that out. Everyone was hurting and I didn't know what else to do. I guess I panicked.”

He stopped and stared out at the ocean for a few long seconds before turning and looking down at her.