“Yeah, let me go pack my things. Give me ten minutes?” Nova hurries down the hallway.
“That’s fine. We still need to finish breakfast, clean up, and get Zeke dressed for the day.” I breathe a heavy sigh when Harper heads out of the kitchen and has agreed to join us this weekend.
Ashton turns around to face me. “Everything okay? You really pushed the idea of Harper joining us today. That’s a little … unusual for you.”
“Liam came home this morning. Caught someone outside our place.”
“Shit.” Ashton frowns. “It seemed too quiet around here after the last threat…” he trails off, glancing in the direction of the hallway where the girls ran off. “Do we know anything about the guy who showed up?”
“Liam snapped a photo of his identification. He’s supposed to text me a copy. I’ll make sure that we get the text before we leave.”
Ashton hands me back the fork. “Here, get help with the bacon so we can get out of here. I’m almost done with the eggs.”
Nova and Harper both pack overnight bags, but I swear the girls packed enough for a week’s trip.
I don’t argue about the unnecessary extras they’re bringing along. There’s plenty of trunk space for the bags.
Ashton and I toss everything in the trunk. The girls and Zeke squeeze into the backseat while I drive and Ashton sits up front with me.
There is lots of chatter the entire drive up to the compound. Nova makes us swear not to tell anyone at home she’s dating Ashton.
I share a quiet glance with Ashton because Dante knows. And I’m pretty sure Moreno knows.
“Don’t worry,” Harper says. “I’m pretty sure that’s a conversation that’s not going to randomly come up.”
“I know, but it always worries me. Like if Dad comes knocking on my bedroom door and Ashton is in my room,” Nova says.
“Then sleep in my room.” Ashton glances over his shoulder at Nova. He extends an arm, reaching for her, like the two of them can’t quite get enough of each other.
Sounds familiar.
“Can you guys not sleep in Ashton’s room? Last time you did that, I could hear you. Not even noise-canceling headphones could drown the two of you out.” It’s a memory that I don’t want to remember, barging in on the two of them in bed together.
“Oh, like we don’t hear the two of you all the frickin’ time.” Ashton lets go of Nova’s hand and glares at me. “I’m glad you two are finally getting along, but some of us like to sleep in.”
I catch a glimpse of Harper in my rearview mirror as she laughs. Her eyes are bright, and her cheeks are red. Oh, she’s definitely embarrassed. I like that look on her, how her skin is flushed, and it reminds me of another time she gets those colorful cheeks.
“We’re not that loud.” I glower at Ashton. “You’re just stirring shit up.”
“Language!” Harper scolds me.
“Sorry.” I grimace. I’ve been trying to do better, watch myself around Zeke.
Hopefully, he’s not paying attention and didn’t hear my curse word.
As we pull up out front, storm clouds are brewing in the distance. It’s going to make for a long night if it’s thundering and we’re stuck doing surveillance on Massimo in the rain.
I try not to let it ruin my day. We head out of the car, Ashton and I grabbing everyone’s bags while Harper unbuckles Zeke and carries him to the front door, right behind Nova.
“We’re home!” Nova shouts as she heads inside, announcing us.
It’s not like security doesn’t get the first inkling of our arrival when we have to punch in the code at the gate. Sometimes they have a man standing guard outside at the guard post, it depends on how busy things are with Dante or the current level of security he feels is necessary.
I slip out of my shoes as I enter the house last. “I’m going to take our bags upstairs.” I glance at Harper, making sure she heard me before I head upstairs.
“Okay, thanks.” Harper looks a bit nervous. It’s not like this is the first time she’s stayed at my parents’ house, but it’s been a while since she’s spent the night. As long as she doesn’t go snooping, things will be fine.
I’m actually feeling a bit relieved knowing that Harper and Zeke are here. I won’t have to worry about them while I’m away, and I can remain focused on Massimo.