Page 57 of Drive Me Crazy

"Can you get home safely?" There's a flurry of activity on his end of the call.

"Absolutely." I swallow hard, praying it will help to extinguish the burning flames of fury that's engulfing my throat for Weston and myself, I can't believe I put her at risk like this... again. "I'll do whatever is necessary to protect her."

"We know, thank you." What sounds like a door closes. "Go home, keep watch. All hell is about to break loose there."

"Will do." I nod with understanding. "I'll let you know."

There's rustling, and then an engine fires up. "Go, now. I'll swing by later."

I end the call, still staring at the building sitting across from us. Finally tearing my eyes away, I gaze at her again through the rearview. She's biting her nail through soft sobs.

"Harper?" She cuts her eyes at me. "Let's go home."

She nods, slowly. "Are you gonna stay with me?"

"I'm never leaving your side again." I check the traffic before entering the road home.

A soft whimper escapes, and my heart seizes. "I don't know what I'd do if he hurt any of you, Ridge. I never wanted to dump any of this on y'all. I'm sorry."

"First of all, you're not 'dumping' this on any of us. We love you, Harper, and we'd all damn well do this again to help you and keep you safe." I seethe, thinking about the way he's convinced her this is her fault. The mere image of it makes my stomach revolt.

"I'm not sure I'm worth any of it, Ridge. I don't understand why any of you would ever want to be around me, knowing what it could mean to you." She snubs, and I'm ripped apart with every tear that falls.

The second I turn onto our street; I plant my foot into the floorboard until I get to my drive. My window is down and the gate is opening as soon as I type the code in, there's no time to waste, he's not getting his hands on her again.

As soon as we're through, I hit the garage opener, doing my best to get her inside and keep her safe. Putting it in park, I use the controller to close the door and jump out to make sure the gate is locked.

Once I check our surroundings, I reach for her as darkness fills the room. "It's Alright, Harper. I'll never allow him to hurt you again."

I'm not even looking when Harper takes my hand, but the minute she does, it's as though a charge of overwhelming power surges through us. There's never been a time, our bodies haven't reacted this way to one another.

My eyes shoot to hers as she climbs from the back. "I've had enough excitement for today, stop trying to give me a jolt."

"I could say the same." She releases my hand, and we shake off the frenzied current running between us.

"I need to say something before I either chicken out or miss another chance to tell you." She pauses, lifting her eyes to mine. "I can't remember a time; I didn't love you. From the first time I saw you run up to the tree house and climb that old ladder to the last night we spent together in the barn, I've loved you and so deeply, I've never been capable of letting you go."

My chest constricts, I want to take her in my arms so badly; they ache, but I know I can't. Not now and maybe never. "I've waited for what feels like a lifetime to hear you say that but we both know this can't go any further, not yet. I want to tell you so much; I need you to understand everything that's happened between us and give you the clarity you might need to move on. No matter how you do so, I'll always be right here."

"I know," she rests her forehead on my chest, weeping quietly. "and it may never happen, but I wanted you to know I've always loved you and as much as I need you to love me, I agree though it isn't the time. I'm married and this is wrong, in so many ways."

"Loving you will never be wrong, but our timing couldn't be worse." I lay my hand on her back, needing to feel her and wanting to soothe her. I slowly rub up and down. "I'm so sorry for wasting all this time and for letting you go through life not knowing how much you're loved."

She gazes up at me and I'm gone. Lost in her eyes and praying I get the chance to show her how much she means to me. "Promise me, you'll stay safe. I could never live with myself if something happened to you."

"I promise... you're safe." I press my lips to her head and pull her along with me as we head inside.