Page 76 of Beautiful Chaos

“Damn, I knew you had a man boner for me,” A familiar voice boomed from behind me. Startled, I tilted my head upward, where I was still sitting on the ground. I met my best friend’s gaze, as he stood smirking at the tangled mess, that was my body intertwined with Harper’s.

He was unharmed, and talking shit as usual. I let out a big sigh and chuckled, as I glanced back at the heap, relieved it wasn’t him.

“Don’t flatter yourself asshole.” I snapped, rolling my eyes.

“You ready to go?” Max asked, his eyes fixed on his nails, feigning boredom. I realized it was an act when, for a brief moment, I caught him glancing in Harper’s direction, his eyes filled with concern.

I stood up taking Harper with me. With one hand supporting her head and the other wrapped around her thighs. She turned her head into my chest, breathing deeply before she stilled again.

“Yes, Let’s get her out of here.”

We reached the SUV where Hector was waiting, door open and blanket in hand. I let him wrap her in the blanket since my hands cradled her delicate, broken form.

I settled into the seat, keeping Harper in my arms, and gently peppered her head and neck with kisses.

“Did we take care of the mess?” I asked Max who was settling into the front passenger seat.

“It’s being taken care of, right now.” he turned to look at me knowingly.

“She’s gonna be okay,” he said in a small voice, “She’s a fighter,” he finished, quickly turning away from me, trying to conceal his emotions.

Max became attached to Harper after learning about her past; he had a soft spot for women who suffered from abuse. It was related to how his father treated his mother, but that’s his story to tell.

We pulled away from the abandoned warehouse slowly. I looked ahead to see the sun rising across the desolate fields, radiating hues of grays and deep blues while the sun peeked. Harper would love this view. I saw her watching the sunrise many times during her time with me. Standing at my floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, wrapped in that damn couch blanket she adopted, coffee in hand.

A small smile teased my lips as I recalled the image.

A few moments later we were back on the dirt road. The sound of gravel pelting the bumper was drowned out by a massive explosion. In an instant, the warehouse, Harper’s second prison, was reduced to, a wisp of smoke. I held Harper even tighter.

“I will never let anyone hurt you, ever again,” I promised in her ear, as we raced toward the best hospital in the city.

A promise I would fucking keep.

Chapter 53

HARPER

Iwoke up to a constant beeping sound coming from somewhere beside me. My head was throbbing, and when I tried to open my eyes, my vision was blurred. I flexed my fingers, they were stiff, but I could feel them.

Am I still tied up?

I forced my eyes open to be greeted by bright fluorescent lights. My eyes burned at the sudden intensity. I tried to raise my hand to my face, but something was restricting my movement. Panic filled me at the possibility of still being bound, and I threw myself up in a frenzy gasping for air.

Immediately I was met by gentle hands and a familiar voice. A voice that instantly calmed my trepidation.

“All right Doll, it’s all right. You’re safe baby,” Jasper whispered, his forehead pressed against mine.

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I leaned into his consolation. He lifted his hand, and, with the pad of his thumb, he brushed away my tears. I closed my eyes at the tenderness of his touch.

“I thought I was going to lose you,” He spoke, in a quiet tone, piercing the near silent room. The beeping grew louder, and more intrusive, or maybe it was my heightened sensitivity at that moment.

“You were asleep for three days,” his voice cracked at the end, trembling with emotion.

“Have you been here the whole time?” I managed to get out. My throat was dry and my tongue felt like sandpaper. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a voice came from the other side of the room.

“Yes, he has. He hasn’t left your side.” My eyes widen at the sight of Aster. She was laid back in a recliner with a blanket over her lap. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes were wrinkled, and her eyes were puffy and red. A look I have only seen on here one time, a few years back when her granny May died of breast cancer.

“Oh my gosh, I was supposed to be there to pick you up,” I said, running my hands over my face in disappointment.

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