Page 189 of I See You

Harper giggled, then sighed.

“Her father wanted her to stay away from men like Hassan,” Dorian said, “but Hassan’s exactly who she needed. He didn’t just want her—he saw her. The real her. The parts she even hides from herself.”

There was silence between them for a moment. Heavy, understanding silence.

“Maybe you did bring them together,” Dorian said. “Or maybe it was fate. Either way, Sevyn was meant to help him. And I think he was meant to heal her, too—in ways that therapy never could. So no… this ain’t your fault.”

Harper nodded, wiping her face as Dorian did the same.

They were still broken. But now, they weren’t blaming themselves for it.

???

DorianandHarpersteppedontothevibrantcampusofthe University of Memphis, surrounded by the electric buzz of homecoming.Laughterechoedacrossthequad,musicblastedfrom speakers, and students in matching hoodies posed for pictures near balloon arches and food trucks. If they weren’t here on a mission, they would’ve joined in. They would’ve taken selfies, grabbed lemonades, and danced like they used to.

But the space between them was heavy—because the third piece of their trio wasn’t here. Sevyn should’ve been walking beside them, arm linked with Dorian’s, laughing at Harper’s latest mess, dressed to kill and ready to take over the yard like she always did.

Instead, she was gone. And no one knew where.

The pain sharpened Dorian’s focus. She blended in easily, dressed in a black Memphis hoodie with “TIGERS” stamped across the chest in bold navy, shorts hugging her hips just right, and blue and white dunks on her feet. Her hair was slicked into a half-up, half-down style, catching the light with every bounce.

Harper walked beside her, looking like a poster girl for Tiger pride in a crisp white University of Memphis crewneck, a pleated tennis skirt that danced with every step, and white socks bunched above her Jordan 1s. Her soft curls framed her face, falling down her back in a wild, effortless flow. They looked like they belonged—like they were just here to enjoy the celebration.

But every step they took was calculated. Every smile, a mask. "AyeHarper,cany’allhearme?"Von’svoicecamethroughthe earpiece, low and steady.

"Yea, we can hear you," Harper said, touching her hair like shewas adjusting a curl, but really checking the mic.

Dorian caught the smirk tugging at Harper’s lips and bumped her playfully. "Girl, what was that?" she teased.

Harper tried to play it cool but couldn't help the grin. "His voice just sound... too damn sexy."

Von came through the earpiece again, smooth as hell. "Thank you, love."

Harper’s eyes widened. Dorian burst out laughing.

"Bitch,youforgothecouldstillhearyou?"shesaidunderher breath.

"I hate you," Harper muttered, cheeks flushed.

But despite the laughter, their eyes scanned the crowd like hawks. Theyweren’theretoflirt.Theywerehereforwar.AndCarlos DeVille’spreciousgranddaughterdidn’tevenknowshewasthefirst pawn.

"Aight, blend in. Celine’s still in her dorm gettin' dressed withher friends," Von’s voice crackled through their earpieces. He was watching the dorm hallway cameras in real-time, every second accounted for.

Harperscannedthecrowd,theseaofstudentsmovinglikea wave.“Wouldn’t it be better if we caught her in the dorm? Less eyes, less people?”

“I wouldn’t recommend that,” Von responded quickly. “Celine has two guards outside her door. Big dudes. Secret Service energy. You’re not gettin’ in that dorm without a badge or a miracle.”

“Dorian, you got your nail kit?” Harper asked, her eyes already tracking the nearest entrance.

Dorian smirked, patting the blue Hermès bag on her arm. “Do I ever leave home without it?”

Harper smiled. “Perfect. Come on.”

Von cut back in, voice low but tight with worry. “Harper, don’t do this. That dorm is a fortress. We don’t have eyes inside. If something go left—”

“Avoni, chill.” Harper’s tone was smooth, calm, disarming. Dorian glanced at her, brows raised. “Avoni?”

Harper chuckled, eyes flicking to the building. “Cute, right? His mama named him that.”

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