Page 84 of Ruthless Heir

We have everything carefully crafted to ensure thingshopefullyrun smoothly without a hitch. We spent a few hours last night getting our stories straight and going over a strategy.

The essence of the plan is to go with the flow and act natural. I hope that will be as easy to do as it is to talk about.

I got home fifteen minutes ago.

Olga and I are in the living room talking about the plans for the coming week while Harper gets ready. We’re leaving as soon as she’s done.

Olga is the only member of my staff who knows the truth. I also didn’t need her to sign anything. She’s kept far worsesecrets than this for me in the past.

I felt that I had to tell her the truth about Harper and me because it didn’t feel right to lie to her. She knows Josh almost as well as she knows me. And I know she’s figured out my reservations regarding Harper.

“I should be back next Saturday. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Olga asks. She’s heading to Japan with her nieces tonight. It will be the first in a long time that I’ll be without her.

“Everything will be fine.” I smile back at her. “Please have an amazing time with your family and don’t worry about me.”

“Of course I’m going to worry about you. This is the first time I’ve left you in a…well asituationwhere I think you might need me around. As soon as the press hears what’s happening they’ll be camped on the lawn.”

“We’ll be fine. I promise.” I nod with a confidence I partly don’t feel.

“Okay. Well everything here is in order. All the staff know what they’re doing next week and no one should need anything. But if anyone does need me you know where to find me.”

I give her a grateful smile. She never stops working even when she’s on vacation. “We know and like always we won’t disturb you while you’re away.”

She chuckles. “I’m just giving you the option so youknowyou have it.”

“Thanks, I appreciate you.”

“I know you do. And just for the record I think you and Harper will have a great time tonight.” Olga looks pleased. “She’s just getting the finishing touches on her make up done. At first she was skeptical about using an artist but she soon changed her mind.”

“She’s always been that way. She’s stubborn at first then she?—”

The words dissolve in my mind when Harper walks into the room dressed in a sleeveless black evening gown. The sight of her steals my breath away and erases everything from my world that isn’t her.

The shimmering black fabric clings to her curves, cascading down in soft, elegant waves that glisten under the light.

And that’s just her dress. Her face looks like she’s ready for a magazine photoshoot and her hair is swept up in a loose ponytail, exposing the graceful line of her neck.

Everything about her is beyond perfection—and I’m so transfixed all I can do is stare.

The barest hint of a smile plays on her lips as she meets my gaze and my pulse quickens as if I’ve been zapped with lightning.

“I’m ready,” Harper announces, bringing her hands together, a nervous habit.

I want to speak, say something that shows my appreciation, but my mind is a blank slate.

“Harper, you look absolutely beautiful,” Olga says rushing up to her and taking both her hands.

“Thank you.”

“Yes, you do look beautiful.” I try to sound like I’m not over here holding back my drool and keeping my eyes from falling out.

“I guess it’s a little different from my shorts and t-shirts.” Harper giggles.

“It sure is. Ready to go?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

I hold out my hand to her and she moves toward me looking back at Olga who nods her approval.

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