Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“Calm down,” Zach said as he drove his SUV uptown.
Harrison lifted an eyebrow. “A fan is threatening her, and we both know that shit can escalate. Winter is stuck with a bodyguard to walk her damn dog, or she has to hide out in her apartment. So you tell me. What’s the upside to her being with me?”
“Is she with you? Or is she just having your baby?” Zach asked.
Harrison ground his teeth before answering. “Not the point.”
“I think it is.” After pulling to a stop at a red light, Zach turned to face him. “If she’s just your baby mama, you can back off being there in person. You’ve already put security on her. Issue a joint statement about co-parenting and not being in a relationship which should de-escalate the crazies while we try and find the asshole. It’ll definitely make your life easier if you don’t have to watch over her twenty-four-seven.”
“Fuck you, Zach,” Harrison said, clenching his hands at his sides.
“Thought so.” His brother let out a laugh. “I watched Nick and Asher fall for their women and you’re just as obvious about Winter.”
If Zach wasn’t driving, Harrison might have decked him.
“I have a suggestion,” Zach continued, oblivious to the fact that he’d avoided being pummeled. “You’re bringing her to the Hamptons this weekend, right?”
The light turned green, and Zach put his focus back on the road and the car sped forward.
“Yeah. She’s coming with me.”
Zach nodded. “After she talks to the cops, take her and go early.”
Zach had called a friend on the force to meet them at Winter’s apartment. Alpha Security and Zach had suggested, and Harrison agreed, that they needed to report the two incidents to the police and have the situation on record.
“Hole up in the Hamptons where it’s safer. Take security but at least you’ll see whomever it is coming instead of being in a city of millions.”
Harrison nodded. “Makes sense.”
Zach turned into the circular driveway of Winter’s building and cut the engine. There wasn’t a reporter in sight as a valet who would park the SUV approached.
Before they climbed out, Zach spoke once more. “And I figured out the upside to all this.”
Harrison couldn’t imagine what that could be.
“You’ll be alone in the Hamptons with the woman you’re trying to win over. The reason sucks, but you can’t deny the opportunity is golden.”
That was Zach. Always looking at the bright side. It was an upside. For Harrison. For Winter, it remained to be seen.
They walked to the doorman. Although Harrison knew his name was now on her permanent list, he’d told her to instruct the doorman to have everyone call up and be approved before entering. Once given permission, they took the elevator upstairs. He was glad to see the security wasn’t waiting in the hallway and was still inside the apartment.
At Winter’s door, Harrison rang the bell and Dana’s voice rang out. “Who is it?”
“Harrison.”
The door opened, and Dana looked past the still-connected chain. Once she recognized him, she unlocked it and let them inside.
Zach immediately pulled Dana aside, but Harrison strode across the apartment, straight to Winter who had stood up from the sofa when he walked in.
She met his gaze and lifted her chin, conveying to him she could handle the situation but screw that. He reached her and pulled her into his arms. Her body remained stiff until he pressed his palm against her back. “I promise you’ll be safe.”
His words accomplished what his touch hadn’t. She let out a tremulous sigh, her muscles relaxed, and she leaned into him, slowly wrapping her arms around his waist. “Thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” Hearing footsteps, he stepped back, keeping an arm around her, as he turned to face Zach and Dana.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Zach asked Winter.
She nodded. “Yes. It’s just scary to think someone would take the time to send something like that.”
“Unfortunately, that’s the point. To scare you,” Dana said.
“The police are on their way,” Harrison said, holding onto her as she stiffened again.
She looked up at him. “It’s notes and letters.”
“And you’re a smart reporter. You told me yourself. It’s escalating. We need to get things on record in case… just to be safe.”
“In case they try something in person.”
“They won’t get near you,” Harrison promised. “We’re taking every precaution, including making the authorities aware.”
“I understand. And until they catch him or her? I need to be more careful? Not go out?”
Harrison shot his brother a pointed look. They were close enough that Zach took the hint.
“Dana, come show me the mail. We’ll wait for the police in the kitchen,” he said.
She nodded and followed him toward the smaller room on the other side of the apartment.
Once they left, Harrison touched Winter’s shoulder. “Let’s sit.”
She curled her legs beneath her, and he studied her. She wore a lavender man-style shirt over what looked like a tank top and a pair of black leggings with a pair of vintage Doc Martens on her feet in pink and purple florals with black laces. Her hair was pulled into a low ponytail, soft tendrils falling around her pale face.