He took my hands as we walked out of the ballroom with Rachel following behind Me, her eyes darting around the room, watching for any sign of trouble. The weight of the situation was palpable, each step we took away from the chaos feeling like a mile.
Escaping the mansion’s oppressive air, we found ourselves in the cool evening breeze, the night sky a stark contrast to the drama we’d just left behind. Harrison’s grip was firm, his thumb stroking the back of my hand in a comforting gesture that sent warmth up my arm and into my heart. Rachel looked at us both, her expression a mix of relief and something else, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
“I’m so sorry, Emma,” he whispered, passing Ethan to me as we hurried towards the car. “I never wanted you to go through this.”
He opened the door, and I slid inside, the leather cool against my legs. Rachel jumped in the back seat, her eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of pursuit. The engine roared to life, and we sped away from the mansion, leaving the chaos behind.
“Where are we going, Harrison?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“To my other house,” he said, his eyes never leaving the road ahead. “It’s the only place we can be safe right now.”
The drive was tense, the silence between us charged with a mix of relief and fear. Rachel spoke up from the back seat, her voice tight. “What about the USB?”
What USB Harrison asked, it’s nothing Harrison I replied Rachel’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, and she nodded, understanding my decision to keep the evidence to myself. It’s better this way, for now.
We pulled up to a smaller, but still impressive house on the outskirts of town. Rachel helped me out of the car, and Harrison took Ethan from my arms, carrying him inside as if he were made of glass. The house was warm and cozy, a stark contrast to the cold grandeur of the mansion. Maids greeted us at the entrance, their eyes wide with shock at the sight of me and Rachel.
“Take care of Ethan,” Harrison instructed, his voice tight. “We need to talk.” He handed our son over to a young maid, who looked at us with a mix of curiosity and fear.
With Rachel by my side, I followed him upstairs, my heart racing with each step. The walls felt like they were closing in, the weight of the secret we’d brought with us pressing down on my chest. The stairs creaked under our footsteps, and I could feel the eyes of the house staff on us as we passed.
He led me to a beautifully decorated bedroom, the soft light from the lamps casting a warm glow over the plush carpets and velvet bedspread. Gently, he set me down on the edge of the bed, his touch sending shivers down my spine. His eyes searched mine, looking for answers, for reassurance that this was what I wanted.
“Emma,” he said, his voice low and intense, “why did you disappear like that? Why didn’t you tell me about Ethan?”
The room felt like it was closing in on me, the walls seeming to pulse with the unspoken tension. Rachel hovered by the door, her eyes darting between us, her body tense and ready for anything. I took a deep breath, trying to find the words to explain the months of fear and uncertainty that had led to this moment. “I was scared,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to drag you into this mess.”
Harrison’s expression softened, and he sat beside me on the bed, taking my hands in his. “You never have to be scared of me,” he said, his voice filled with a gentle reassurance that made me want to melt into him. “I’m here for you, no matter what.”
Rachel cleared her throat, and we both turned to look at her. She was leaning against the doorframe, her arms folded tightly across her chest. “We need to talk about the future,” she said, her eyes flicking between us. “Mr. Luca won’t just let this go.”
Harrison stood up and walked closer to Rachel, taking her hand in his. He brought it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “Thank you,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for everything you’ve done.” Rachel’s cheeks flushed, and she looked away, unable to meet his gaze.
“It’s nothing,” Rachel mumbled, trying to pull her hand away, but Harrison held it firmly. “You’re a true friend, Rachel,” he insisted, his eyes sincere. “I don’t know what we would have done without you.”
Rachel’s gaze fell to the floor, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “I’m just happy to help,” she said, her voice barely audible. “You both mean a lot to me.”
The moment hung in the air, charged with emotion. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, Rachel’s eyes hardened, and she straightened her posture. “But we don’t have much time,” she said, her voice firm. “Mr. Luca will be looking for us.”
Harrison nodded, the reality of the situation sinking in. He turned to me, his eyes searching my face for any trace of doubt. “I’m sorry, Rachel,” he said, “but you’re right.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We need to figure out what we’re going to do.”
“He’s dangerous,” Rachel whispered, her eyes locked on mine. I’ve been with him long enough to know that, Emma.”
Her words echoed in my head as I stared at the floor, my thoughts racing. It was true; luca had always been a puzzle, a mix of sweetness and steel that I could never quite unravel. The wedding, his insistence on it happening… was it all just a ploy? A means to an end?
I looked up at Harrison, his eyes dark with a mix of emotions that I couldn’t quite read. “What do we do now?” I whispered, feeling the weight of Rachel’s words settle heavily on my shoulders.
He squeezed my hands, his grip firm and reassuring. “First, we get Ethan to safety,” he said, his voice firm. “Then we deal with Luca.”Then I’ll leave you guys alone, Rachel said leaving the room, her steps echoing down the hallway.
I watched her go, feeling a twinge of sadness. Despite the chaos, Rachel had become a pillar of strength for me in the mansion. She knew the secrets, the games, the players. But now, she was stepping aside, leaving me with Harrison.
He pulled me to my feet, his gaze never leaving mine. “We’re going to get through this,” he assured me, his thumb tracing my cheekbone. “Together.”
And then, before I could protest or ask any more questions, his lips were on mine, his tongue slipping past my teeth to dance with mine. His hands found my waist, pulling me closer, and for a brief, glorious moment, I forgot about the mansion, about Mr. Luca, about the chaos we’d just left behind. All that mattered was the heat of his body, the scent of his cologne, the taste of him.
His hands began to wander, sliding up under my shirt to cup my breasts. They felt so good, so right, even though a part of me knew that we were playing with fire. His thumbs flicked over my nipples, and I couldn’t help but gasp into his mouth. My own hands found his chest, my nails digging into his shirt as I tried to get closer, to feel more of him.
But the moment was shattered by a knock on the door, and we broke apart like teenagers caught by a parent. Rachel poked her head in, a knowing smile on her face. “Your mom’s looking for you, Harrison,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “I told her you were busy.