here, I’ll take care of everything.”
Harlow’s stomach turned over. She’d heard this story before.
“No.” She shook her head. “Dad, you’ve tried to fix this. You got shot, you got me shot—”
“You got shot?” her mother cried.
Her father’s jaw dropped. “What?”
“Nicked. I’m fine.” She looked hard at her dad. “If I’ve learned anything during all of this—” she glanced at Easton “—it’s that you can’t always do everything alone. Sometimes you need help.”
Her sister straightened. “We’re all going to help sort this out. I’m going to take out some student loans. I can pay for my own college degree.”
Their father’s mouth dropped open. “Sweetie—”
“No, Dad.” Scarlett held up a hand. “I’m doing it.”
Then their mom stepped forward. “I can cut back. No more spa retreats.”
“Ella—”
“No, Charles.” Her mother lifted her hand. “And I’m canceling our cruise.”
Her father’s chin dropped.
“And…we’re selling the house,” their mom declared.
Harlow gasped and her dad’s head shot up.
“No,” he breathed.
“Rock on, Mom.” Scarlett grinned.
“It’s our family home—” their dad started.
“The girls are grown. It’s just you and me rattling around in that big place. It’s time to downsize.”
Harlow had never seen her mother so take-charge.
Her father swallowed. “It will go long way to pay the debt…but not all of it.”
Harlow’s stomach dropped. “How much, Dad?”
Her father swallowed.
“Charles,” her mom snapped.
“Three and a half million.”
Oh. God. Harlow couldn’t breathe.
Her mom dropped into the chair.
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