Page 53 of His Gift
"Come here, you crazy woman." He drags me closer and kisses my head. "I had no clue. I thought you really didn't want me in your life. And I stayed out of stubbornness, or desperation, call it as you want it. But all those months without you have been hell and even your lashing out can'tcompare." Conrad drags his lips on my neck, making me shiver. "We'll talk more when we're home. Promise me."
"I promise."
"Good girl. Now, let's get back to your friends. Do I have to explain why I won't eat or…"
"No, I told Jasper. Have you eaten before coming here?" I should have checked before leaving the house.
"Yes. Don't worry."
"You worry about me."
"Yes. And that's my role. Now, go. I'll join you this time. It looks like the kid can take care of himself."
forty-one
Conrad
Iturn toward Harper as soon as I'm behind the wheel. It's been pure torture waiting for this moment to arrive, but seeing her so relaxed, with a sun-kissed smile and a little tipsy, makes me just want to let her enjoy herself without interruption.
"It has been a good day, hasn't it?"
"Yes. And thank you for feigning so well. Even I thought you were enjoying yourself forreal." I smile.
"Listen, I still don't appreciate being around people, but if it makes you happy and means we can spend more time together, I can do it."
"I heard Jasper asking about your job more than once. You looked annoyed."
"Because I was. I get he doesn't know me, but he kept assuming that I would take advantage of your money, that I was lazy, or whatever was going on in his mind. It's really none of his business. And…"
"It rubs you the wrong way to have your skills as a provider questioned. I understand. I'm curious too, though. What do you plan to do? Can you still get your shares in the company back? Do you want to? You told me you don't like being idle."
"I don't know. It depends on how things turn out for you. I liked what I did. I realized how much when we were back in New York together. But no, I won't try getting my shares back. Even though I've kept it to a minimum, I had attention from the press. That can't happen now. I might strike an agreement to sell them new inventions or improvements on old products, though. That way, I'd spend time in a lab, away from people, and I wouldn't get bored. That's assuming you're still set on working as a lawyer…" I trail off. That's a point I keep coming back to, and that pisses her off every time. I should have avoided it altogether, but it drives me crazy that she won't even try putting her stories out there.
"Yes. And I hope I won't have to move. Things aren't really exciting at Jasper's firm, but I enjoy working there. And I value the friendshipsthat have developed since I met them all. It's different from before. None of them expect me to be… always up. I mean… I guess I was attracting the wrong people in my life. Jasper and Cecily, and everyone else, really, care about me. It took a while to trust them after Paula, though. We weren't really close, but…" That bitch is lucky she was in prison while I was searching for Harper. I don't have it in me to hurt a woman, but I would have scared her shitless to pay her back for what she did.
"Did Agent Vance tell you why she ratted you out?"
"She was in love with one of the executives of the company. But she was also fast to turn against him for the promise of a reduced sentence. I don't know. Again, I attracted the wrong people. Gaslighters, liars, traitors, psychopaths…" I frown at her, and she bats her lashes and smirks. "And about your non-spoken question, I've thought about publishing or finding a publisher. It's not an easy feat; most of the time there is little money to be made, and if by some miracle I'd get famous, there would be the attention by the press you just agreed is to be avoided at all costs. Maybe I'll do it, but… I still want to be independent, Conrad. I don't want to depend on you or anyone else. We're already living at your apartment and I'm in debt for the surgery—"
"No. You're not in debt. I won't fight you on something that's so important for you, but you won't consider that a debt between us. That or anything else I do for you. It's my choice how to spend my money and if I want to spend it on you, so be it."
She huffs, nods and wrings her hands. Three, two, one… "To a point. Nothing too big or too fancy."
"No point. It's nonnegotiable, my gift. I didn't call you that from the very start on a whim. You have gifted me things that money can't buy. I can't do the same for you. Not yet, at least. I still want to give you what I can. And be independent as much as you like, but I hope eventually you'll believe you can depend on me without it turning back to bite you in the ass."
I shoot her another quick glance and she looks… resigned, maybe? I have no doubt this is another one of the many things we'll keep discussing in the future.
I park in the assigned spot and turn to run my hand over her cheek. Fuck, I find her more beautiful every day. Won't tell her again until we've talked more about her reaction, but it burns on the tip of my tongue. "Let's get you to bed. It's been a long day and tomorrow you have to work."
As I circle the car to open her door, I take a second to look at the building from a new perspective. I don't want to scare Harper, but I didn't like the kid's comment. Once again. Ithaca doesn't sound far enough from New York. I understand how Jasper's neighbors made their assumptions. After the news had plastered the attack everywhere, Harper appeared, bearing the raw consequences of it... It was just a matter of time before someone made the connection.
Harper doesn't want to move, but I can always find a new, more secure apartment. This one has a doorman, a lift with a code and a sturdy security door, but it's not enough. Nothing feels like enough when she's still a target, still bearing the scars of their viciousness. I'll have to talk with Agent Vance, get a brief on how dangerous the situation is right now. I'm happy she's been vague with Harper. My gift doesn't need any added stress in her life. But I need to know exactly what I'm up against. And what the FBI plans on doing to ensure my girl's safety. I've refrained from buying a gun, but I'm an excellent shooter and it might be time—
"Are you okay?" Concern is etched on Harper's face as she gets out of the car.
"Yes, sorry. Got lost in my mind. Let's go." I wrap an arm around her shoulders and draw her close. No matter what, I won't let anything else happen to her.
forty-two
