Harper blinked. “Scared?”
“Why is she scared of you?”
“I don’t know.” Harper doubted it was related to what happened when she was a toddler. Instead, it was likely that Carla wasn’t necessarily scared of Harper; she was scared of the truth getting out.
“Yes, you do.”
Harper had to smile. “Persistent little shit, aren’t you?”
He shrugged, returning her smile, though it was a little strained. “I just want to understand.”
“The only person who really understands it is Carla. All I know is that she didn’t want me, she handed me over to my paternal family, and she wants nothing to do with me.” Harper paused as they both sipped their coffee. “And I know she despises my father for leaving her.”
“She’s not…normal. She can be really nice, kind. And it’s not an act, it’s real. But the strangest things can make her angry. I think she finds her demon hard to control and it wears on her. Roan said she’s twisted up inside but that it’s not her fault. I don’t know what that means.”
“Maybe she had a shitty childhood or something.”
“She got angry when she heard you and Knox are mates.”
Ho, ho, ho, that was just fabulous. Her inner demon chuckled in delight, happy about anything that would rile the woman. “Did she?”
“She didn’t do or say anything, I could just tell.”
“I’m her dirty little secret, Kellen. It’s hard to pretend you don’t have a dirty little secret if it’s now the mate of your Prime,” Harper explained.
“My dad will be seriously mad when he finds out about this.”
“I have no intention of telling your dad or anyone else.”
Kellen seemed shocked. “You don’t want anyone to know? But what she did was wrong!”
“But if she could never have brought herself to care about me, giving me up was the best thing she did for me. I’m not bitter about what she did. If you ask me, holding bitterness inside will just destroy a person from the inside out.”
There was a long silence before he asked sheepishly, “Can I come see you sometimes? I mean, I want to know you.”
Harper smiled. “Okay. I’d like to know you too.”
“I don’t think it would be a good idea to tell Roan. He wouldn’t keep it from her. He does his best to please her all the time. He might as well be lodged up her a….butt.”
She almost laughed at his attempt not to curse in front of her. He’d soon learn she cursed like a drunken sailor. “Then it’s best if we keep it between us.” They talked for a little longer, discussing everyday things. When Kellen left, she crossed over the road to the studio.
Tanner poked his head out of the open window of the Bentley. “He knows, doesn’t he?”
“Only that Carla gave me up. He doesn’t know the rest, thankfully.” She gave him a quick rundown of everything Kellen said. “He’s smart enough to have kept it to himself so far, and he’s promised me he won’t tell anyone – not even his dad or brother.”
“Do you really think you two can have a relationship without Carla finding out?”
“I’ve no idea.” Entering the studio, she puffed out a long breath. “That was hard.”
“What happened?” asked Raini. “What did he say?”
“She has a picture of me.” Harper still couldn’t quite grasp that. “She went to my graduation, but she stayed out of sight. She took a picture while she was there.”
Khloë double-blinked. “I’m not understanding that.”
Harper sighed. “Me neither.”
Devon was the image of compassion. “What did he want?”
“To know what happened, why Carla did what she did. In his place, I’d want to know too.” Hearing the door open, Harper turned. And smiled as her nerve endings and her demon shot to life. “I didn’t expect you until tomorrow.”
Knox’s mouth curved as he stalked toward her, radiating a raw sexuality that always made her body hum. “I got back early.” Locking his arms around her, he pressed a lingering kiss to her mouth. But then he frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s just been a weird afternoon.”
“You can tell me about it in the car.”
They rode with Levi, since it seemed that Tanner had already taken off – apparently he had ‘something to get ready for,’ whatever the hell that meant.
Knox twisted to face her. “Tell me.”
So Harper did. He didn’t interrupt her. He just listened as he soothingly threaded his fingers through her hair.
Once she was done, he said, “Strange that she should have a picture of you.”
“I can’t even begin to make sense of that.”
“Then let’s not try.” He combed his fingers through her hair once more. “She isn’t important. You’re important. Forget about her, so you can enjoy yourself.”
That sounded interesting. “Enjoy myself how?”
“I haven’t spent any real time with you in four days. Before that, things were intense with fucking politics. So tonight, we’re going to the Underground to wind down and have time together.” Knox licked over her bottom lip. He loved her mouth. Loved the sensual shape of it. Loved the feel of it wrapped around his cock. Loved knowing that it was his.