Page 68 of Crimson Love

“That’s not what Devon told us,” Brax says.

Harlow enters the conversation. “He’s not, but he is. It’s complicated. It’s also going to take some time for him to get used to it. Being a Madison is a lot.”

“It doesn’t matter if you claim to be a Madison tonight or not. Listen to Brax. He’s the king of undercover.” King motions to Lennon and me. “This looks real from where I’m sitting, but whatever you do tonight, claim her like you’re willing to lay down your life for her. Make Petrov know what he’s up against. I’ve been there and done that. I landed a wife and family out of the deal, so it didn’t end up too badly for me.”

“I’ve been doing that already. I’ve got a suit. It’ll be easier for me to carry with a jacket.”

Lennon fidgets beside me but says nothing.

Devon stands. “I gave Blake the night off. I’ll be in the dining room the whole time. I’ll be watching and listening.”

Dean moves for the door. “My guys and I will be in position. We’ll be on the radio on standby.”

Everyone gets up to go their separate ways, but Harlow comes straight to Lennon and leans in and whispers something in her ear.

Lennon shakes her head.

“I wondered,” Harlow says and turns to me. “Lennon and I are going to hang out for a bit. She’ll be safely locked up in our suite. We’ll call you when we’re done with girl time.”

I turn to Lennon. “You okay?”

She gives me a hesitant smile. “Of course. I’ll call you.”

I lean down and press my lips to her forehead. “Just so you know, there won’t be anything pretend about tonight.”

Harlow’s smile swells from ear to ear. “This makes me immensely happy. Go clean your gun or do whatever you need to do before something like this, big brother. We’re going to do girl things all afternoon. Lennon deserves it.”

Lennon

T here are only two penthouse suites at the manor. They have two full bedrooms and baths, and a living and dining space with a kitchen. Devon and Harlow live in one of them while they renovate her grandmother’s home to live in. The other is rented out for a ridiculous price. Unless Devon is keeping it for a friend or his family, it’s usually booked. Jett told me that the agents from Miami are staying in the other suite and Bella and Cole are taking the other room in Devon’s.

I’ve been to this floor many times to make sure the other suite is perfect, down to every detail like fresh flowers and champagne chilling on ice before guests arrive. But I’ve only been in Devon’s once when I was dropping off his mail while Harlow was in the hospital during her kidney donation.

I watch Harlow swipe her card and open the door to their suite. “Are you sure about this? I don’t want to put you out or impose.”

Harlow holds the door open for me. “Are you kidding? This is the most fun thing I’ve done in weeks. I can’t wait to get back to work. Devon has hovered over me since the surgery. If I didn’t love him so much, I’d find it annoying. It’s good we love to spend time together. Still, I can’t wait to get back to work. Can I make you a cup of coffee before we dig in?”

I cross my arms over my chest and take in the century-old details of the suite. “I’m wound tight enough about tonight. The last thing I need is more caffeine. I’ll take a glass of water though. Thank you.”

She goes to the kitchen. “I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t want to assume you didn’t have anything to wear, but I could see it on your face. It’s girl code to have each other’s back, right?”

I look out the floor-to-ceiling windows. Jett was right when he stole my car. It’s starting to snow. I’m not sure when I’ll get my borrowed car back, but at least it will have new tires on it. Stealing that car ranks right under killing Vlad. I keep telling myself one was out of sheer self-defense, and the other was pure survival. I had to get out and get away. I stole the oldest car I could find in hopes it wouldn’t hurt the owner as badly. I doubt it, but it’s the rationalization of a car thief with morals.

I talk as I watch the snow fall. It’s so thick in the distance, I can’t see the tips of the mountain range. “I’m not sure when I’ll be able to return the favor. I don’t have a lot to offer to have your back.”

“Nonsense. Just let me know if I ever have food in my teeth or something. That’s good enough for me.” Harlow comes to my side and hands me the water. “Should we go look? You’re smaller than me, but I have some dresses that I bought thinking they’d be motivation to lay off the carbs. Crazy how that never works, right?”

“Yeah, so true.” That’s a lie. I have no idea how that works. I’ve spent my entire adult life eating what I was given and wearing what Andrei provided me. I dressed to be looked at.

I follow Harlow to her bedroom as she talks. “This will be fun. I’m an only child. Or else I was until we learned about Jett. After my mom died, I needed a woman in my life. My stepmom was horrid.”

“We have some things in common. I’m an only child, though my mom just left when I was very young, and I never had a stepmom. And my dad ... well, I won’t get into that.”

Harlow shoots me an empathetic look. “Devon told me. You don’t have to dredge that up with me unless you just want to talk about it.”

We go through their bedroom and straight to the oversized closet. “Wow. You weren’t kidding when you said you had a lot to choose from.”

In addition to the closet, there are racks lining the middle of the room with clothes. “Please don’t judge me. I attend a lot of events, and many are formal. Or else, I did when I lived in New York. I’m scaling that back now that I moved here. My assistant just had all this shipped to me from my old place there. I feel bad taking over Devon’s space.” She puts her hands on her hips and looks from the racks to me. “What size are you?”