“I swear it.”
“She doesn’t need to worry about DeLuca and his men. But I need both of your help.” Luca glances from me to Ashton, waiting to see if he’s onboard.
Ashton glances over his shoulder at Luca. “Whatever you need, we’re family.”
“There’s already surveillance around the property,” Luca says, “but I need to know Harper and Zeke are safe wherever they go.”
“You want one of us to play bodyguard all summer?” I quip. “That seems like a role more suited for you.”
Ashton laughs under his breath.
“This isn’t a joking matter!” Luca’s fuming, but I doubt Harper is going to be excited that she has one of us with her at all times.
Knowing Harper, she’ll evade us and run off as soon as she discovers what we’re up to. That girl has a sassy streak.
“Liam’s right. How are we going to follow Harper around without her knowledge?” Ashton smirks, waiting for Luca to come up with some grand plan.
“We take turns watching her back; it won’t be hard if it’s here, at the house. Someone needs to be with her and Zeke at all times.” Luca glances at both of us, and we nod in agreement. “I need this from you both. Don’t make me beg.”
“Only because I like Harper and Zeke. Otherwise, I’d make you get on your hands and knees for me.”
Ashton chuckles under his breath. “I’ll watch you beg, Luca.”
Luca’s hands ball into fists, and his nostrils flare.
I’ve seen his rage on the ice, and I don’t want to be on the other side of him throwing a punch.
“Relax, we’re just messing with you.” Ashton smacks Luca on the back. “We’ll make sure your family is safe.”
Luca exhales loudly. There’s no smile. No mirth. Just concern for his loved ones.
“And what about when she wants to take Zeke to the park or go for a walk? Are we supposed to follow her?” I ask. I don’t feel like he’s really thought his plan through very well. It’ll seem odd if we’re always escorting her. Harper will take notice, eventually.
Ashton snorts. “I don’t think stalking Harper is going to help the situation.”
Luca grumbles, clearly annoyed with both of us. “I’ll offer whenever I’m home, but it would be nice if you accompanied her, but don’t follow her.” His gaze is like two sharp daggers.
“Relax, I’m not your wife’s stalker. I was joking about the following. Sort of.” I force a smile as I hold Luca’s stare. “We’ll look after Harper and Zeke. You don’t have to worry.”
Ashton’s brow pinches as he strides across the room. He peruses my vinyl collection, clearly helping himself to see what I have. “I can probably convince Nova to help a bit too, if you’re comfortable with me confiding in her about what’s going on?”
“Absolutely not!” Luca paces the length of my bedroom. “Anything you say to Nova, expect her to tell Harper.”
“Nova can keep a secret.” Ashton defends his girlfriend, and I watch with rapt fascination.
Nova kept her relationship hidden from Luca for months, but Harper knew and kept it quiet too. There have been a lot of secrets under this roof.
“Just no.” Luca heads for the door, noting that the discussion is closed.
I’m glad for the summer break, the heat, the fact that I don’t have to go to class.
Bodyguarding for Harper and Zeke doesn’t seem that bad, except there wasn’t any mention of pay. Maybe I should have negotiated with Luca or asked to be put on his father’s payroll, like Ashton.
With Luca still recovering from his injuries, Ashton and Luca get weekends off from working for Dante. I’m grateful, or else I’d be spending all of my weekend with bodyguard duties.
Not that my weekends are jam-packed as of late.
Ashton and Nova spend just about all their free time hooking up or cuddling together. I try not to feel jealous—not that I like Nova as anything other than a friend.