Page 32 of Hidden Truths

“So you’re not falling in line, so he went after me?” Harlow asks, trying to put together the pieces of a puzzle that I’m pretty sure aren’t even from the same puzzle. “Wait,” she says suddenly. “He said something about how even a small scandal ends careers. He’s going to use Cora to try to bring negative attention to the band.”

“Seems likely,” Harrison says.

“What if he has something to do with Ezra and he’s going to use Cora as a threat?” I ask, panicking and mentally making plans to move to another country and change our names. I will not let my daughter get caught up in this.

“I don’t think that would make sense for him. He was threatening me out in the open, seemingly uncaring if anyone caught him,” Harlow says, and Harrison nods. “If it was connected to Ezra, and we could connect the dots to him, that would end his career that he seems to love so much.”

“I don’t think this is related to Ezra, even if he is involved there. He wants me back in his orbit. And if it means protecting Cora, I’ll go,” Mav says, and I see the determination on his face. He’ll give up everything and go back to the toxic family.

“No, Mav. We’ll figure something out,” I tell him immediately.

“I have an idea, but you might not like it,” Harlow says, looking at me, and I see the spark back in her eyes.

“Lay it on me, Firecracker.”

“You get out in front of it. Put out a press release telling the world about Cora.”

I feel my body tense, but she puts her hand up before I say anything.

“I know it’s not what you want. But plenty of celebrities have announced their surprise children and the news dies downwithin weeks. I can’t even tell you what famous people have kids and which ones don’t.”

“I don’t want Cora to have to deal with a public life,” I tell her, even though she knows that.

“She won’t. You don’t need to release any pictures or even her name. Just tell the world you have a child, probably have your PR team put a better statement together than I could, and let it fizzle out. It takes away Wolfe’s one piece of leverage.”

“No. I won’t let you do that,” Mav says, making his way to the door, like he’s planning on leaving for his parent’s house right this minute. Knowing him, he probably is.

“I’m doing it, Mav. It makes sense. He won’t stop at using her to get you back. He hates all of us. If he even smells you thinking about leaving him again, he’ll threaten her. Harlow is right, Mav. We need to get ahead of this.”

Mav nods, realizing I’m right, that Harlow is right. He makes his way over to her and puts his arms out for Cora. Harlow smiles sadly and hands her over. Cora immediately snuggles into him and continues to sleep. “I’m so sorry,” he whispers into her hair.

“Don’t blame yourself for the evil of another, Maverick. You didn’t do this, and nothing is going to happen to Cora. If anything, she’s just going to have to go to an expensive school with other rich kids to have the added security. Which Cal was probably going to send her to anyway,” Harlow says.

I laugh, and that seems to ease some of the tension in Mav’s shoulders.

“What the fuck is going on? Why is everyone parked like a bunch of drunks?” Willa yells, coming in to join the party with Kai, Belle, and Jo right behind her.

“We need you to get a press release together,” I tell Jo.

Harlow fills them in, with Harrison adding how quickly she called him to get the footage, making sure whoever threatened my daughter wouldn’t get away.

I look at the woman who willingly put her body between my daughter and a threat and wonder how the fuck I can make it up to her.

“Can we talk?” I ask Harlow. Everyone went home hours ago, and she’s sitting alone on the couch watching an old 90s movie I’ve seen Belle and my cousin Millie watch. Her legs are curled underneath her, and she’s snuggled into a knit blanket that’s up to her chin.

She pats the seat next to her, not taking her eyes off the screen.

“I’m so fucking sorry for the way I reacted today, Harlow. I should never have jumped to conclusions. Not about you. I know you would never put Cora in harm’s way.”

“Are you sure that you know that? You seemed pretty sure that I would.” The hurt in her voice is so obvious that it breaks my heart.

“The thought of something happening to Cora has been my biggest fear since she was born. It felt like my fear came to life, and I handled it with anger. I know I was wrong.”

She just nods, still refusing to look at me.

“Look at me, Firecracker. Please.”

She turns her head, and her broken eyes meet mine. “I’m sorry I spent so much money.”

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