Page 45 of The Bossy Billionaire

“We all should have.”

“So you're telling me that she is being followed, harassed, hurt, and intimidated by someone, or some people, who are completely unknown and with no known motive?” I ask in disbelief.

“I am installing cameras around the perimeter of the shop so we can get a clear view of anyone coming and going,” Harrison says.

“She is not fucking staying at the shop without me.”

“How is that going to work? Your life is in New York. Besides, you are just her business coach, remember?” Harrison basically seethes. “That is still something else we need to discuss. Exactly what is going on between my best friend and my sister?” Harrison sounds angry, but I am not intimidated.

“We are getting to know each other. We are spending time together,” I tell him, and his growl is deep.

“You don’t fucking spend time with any woman.” His voice raises slightly, and I pull my shoulders back in defense. “Not since Amy, anyway. You know, you never really said why she left you.” Harrison is implying something, and I don’t like it.

“Amy was a long time ago.” The two of us have had disagreements before, but this is different. The undercurrent of anger and tension is thick, and even though we are on the phone, I feel his uncertainty of me for the first time in our entire friendship.

“You met Lucy only a few months ago, and all of a sudden, you are taking her away to your small town, spending time with her when you could be coaching her remotely from New York.” He isn’t happy, and I can’t believe I am having a fucking argument with who will no doubt be the next president of this country, but fuck him.

“Yeah, well, you and your brothers are fucking controlling assholes who don’t let her even breathe. She can’t fucking do anything back in Baltimore without you all hovering over her and telling her what to do and how she should do it. She has been your sister for just over a year. You are suffocating her,” I tell him, my voice now raised.

“Blood is thicker than water, Huxley. I know she has been thrust into our lives, and maybe we are all too fucking happy and excited to have her that we go overboard sometimes, but I swear to God, if you so much as disappoint her, it’s not going to be pretty.” I know he will do it too. Asshole.

“This time things are different. She is different,” I offer, the two of us dancing around the topic.

“They damn well better be, because I’ll fucking chop your balls off if they aren’t,” Harrison seethes, and I take a deep breath.

Fuck, this pressure they have on her and her life is full-on. “Harrison, you need to trust me.”

“It’s my sister, Huxley. I don’t trust anyone with her.”

“I know. I know.” I rub my head. There is a lot on the line here. But I am willing to risk it all for a chance with her. “My brother is coming to Whispers. I want her to get a second opinion on her leg.”

“That is the smartest thing you have said all week. But she won’t,” he states with confidence.

“Time will tell.” I already know he hates the fact that Lucy and I are close, but I enjoy teasing him about it. “How is the shop?”

“It’s a slow cleanup. Eddie and Katie took stock of the damaged books and put in a new order that will come through later this week. Tennyson has already fixed the window, and the carpet is being replaced today. Willow has managed the local media, as we have a few journalists sniffing around asking questions.”

“Carpet?” I ask.

“Yeah, it was in dire need of an upgrade, we both know it. So we took liberty of the situation and replaced it all.” I smirk.

“You want to be careful of your own balls now. Lucy wanted new carpet, so I hope you picked something she would like,” I tell him, looking forward to seeing her lose it at her brothers again.

“Yeah, we got Katie to choose it, so hopefully that means we are safe,” he murmurs.

“Dwayne?” I start, because I still think there is something off about him.

“He is useless. Hasn’t helped at all. Seems more interested to know where she is and who she is with,” Harrison says.

“Makes good coffee and not much else. What did you tell him?”

“Nothing. No one knows where she is except for us, and I plan on keeping it that way.” It is a smart idea. Whoever is following her and harassing her will be pulling their hair out not knowing.

“I am running a background check on him. Just waiting for my guy to get back to me on it.”

“Good call. I don’t even think Lucy interviewed him,” Harrison tells me.

“What do you mean?” I ask, stirring the eggs for the omelet so fast they nearly spill over the bowl.

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