Page 52 of Daddy's Little Charmer
They both shook their heads and stayed silent.
“You can’t keep me here against my will.”
“Wanna bet?” Nico growled.
Harmony blinked and tried to contain the tears she knew would come.
“Ple … please. Just let me go.”
Nico sighed. “Do you love Christian?” He gritted his teethwhen she flinched and became even paler.
“Yes. But sometimes love isn’t enough. Since I met him, he’s taken away my life bit by bit until I’ve got nothing left. I disappeared, and I didn’t even know it was happening until now. I can’t even blame him for seeing other women. Who wants to be with a doormat, a nobody?”
Nico closed the distance between them and grasped her shoulders.
“We would never do anything to hurt you. Connor and I have come to care for you deeply. I’m telling—no, I’maskingyou—to give Christian a chance to explain.”
“I will, I promise. I just need a little time.”
“We’re to keep you here until he returns.”
Harmony looked from one man to the other. “You can’t if I don’t want to be here.”
She gritted her teeth when they stayed silent. “Where’s my purse?”
“We have it,” Connor replied.
“And you’re not going to give it to me?” she asked softly.
Connor hated to see her so sad, but he agreed with Nico. If she gave Christian a chance, this would all be resolved.
Harmony’s grip on her bag tightened. “Guys, I’m not going because of the other woman. I’m going because I need to find myself again. As corny as that sounds, it’s the way I feel.”
She watched them look at each other and then back at her. From their expressions, she knew they weren’t going to help her. She bit her lip to prevent the desolate cry that wanted to escape, turned, and walked back into the bedroom, softly closing the door.
Connor ran a hand down his face. “Dammit. I can’t take that look in her eyes.”
Nico stared at the bedroom door. His stomach twisted when he heard Harmony’s muffled crying.
“I can’t either. Christian’s on his way home. If, after they talk, she still wants to leave, I’ll take her wherever she wants to go. I don’t care if I get fired.”
“I’ll be with you.”
Nico walked to the bedroom and rapped a knuckle against the wood.
“Harmony, I know you’re hurting right now, and we wish we could make it better, Honey. If, after you talk to Christian, you still want to leave, call us and we’ll come get you and take you anywhere. Hell, you can even crash with me until you figure out your next move. You have my phone number. Connor put your phone on the kitchen counter and is charging it so it will be ready for you.” He stopped and listened. “We just wanted you to know you’re not alone. Okay, Honey?”
He sighed when there was still no answer, turned, and walked back into the living room.
“Did she say anything?”
Nico pressed a hand to his chest to relieve some of the pain and shook his head. “No, but I’m pretty sure she heard me.”
Connor sat on one of the sofas, leaned back, and closed his eyes.
“I’m going to get some z’s. I didn’t get much last night,” Connor said.
“I’m going to check the alarm to make sure it’s on. I don’t want Harmony to try to sneak out another door. I’ll put in a temporary code that will prevent her from turning it off.”
