Page 35 of Jack

She stilled, then, “In what world?”

“In my world.” Then Big, Arrogant Jack pushed his bossy self past her and out of the room.

* * *

Perfect.Just when he’d found his footing in the family again. Sort of. Maybe.

At least he hadn’t promised.Aw.But now he looked like a guy who had to be bribed to help. Not that he intended to take Harper’s money. And hewasgoing to say yes?—

“Where do you think you’re going?”

And here came trouble. He turned as Harper came in hot on his tail. “What do you mean you don’t want help?”

He stopped, right there in the living area of Doyle’s renovated, restored home with the gleaming oak woodwork and the marble-tiled fireplace, the plush velvet sofas that bespoke a time of elegance.

His mother’s touches, for sure—Doyle was only caretaking the place for now while he tried to get his feet back under him. Maybe a better choice than jumping in an old school bus. . .

Whatever.

Jack rounded on Harper. “I mean—I work alone.Helpmeans I have to watch your back, and some of these things can get out of hand?—”

“I’m worried, okay? I called her, and she’s not answering.”

“Did you call her house? Her family?”

Her mouth opened. “No. She doesn’t live at home . . .”

“We should call the cops.”

She stared at him.

“What?”

“What if I’m wrong? What if she’s . . . I don’t know, in Minneapolis, shopping? And suddenly there’s cops everywhere, right during Boo’s wedding.”

“Why would she be in Minneapolisshopping?”

“I don’t know—it’s Penny. She does what she wants.” She looked at her phone. “I’d call her mom, but Penny would murder me if I worried her without proof.”

“Why?”

Harper sighed. “Reasons. I will try and get ahold of Franco.”

“Who’s that? Boyfriend?”

“Assigned personal security. Although, she’s sort of recently shrugged him off, so . . .”

“She shrugged off her personal security?”

“Long story, but I did mention she’s a Pepper, right?”

“Yes. From the Pepper family billions. . I did make that connection.” Could be, however, that he wasn’t the only one. Right. “Fine. Okay. I got this. The last thing I need is?—”

Her eyes narrowed.

“—a reporter detailing everything, maybe giving anyone a reason to suggest that I might do something out of bounds.”

“You’re talking about the lawsuit over the girl who got shot. Your belief that she wasn’t kidnapped.”