Page 59 of Drive Me Crazy

"No one's looking for him, they have no idea what he's capable of. The FBI wanted to keep it quiet, so they could use Harper as bait." One seethes.

"There's no fucking way he could get away that fast without being seen by someone." The minute we get to the second floor, he's in an all-out bolt to the security cameras. He holds the door open for me, letting it close behind us.

I take the first seat, watching as Ridge scans the various screens. "One, what's the FBI waiting on? I thought they said he had an outstanding warrant?"

"Apparently they need someone else to find him, so they don't break a nail." One grumbles making me snicker.

"There's a car on the back road, but I can't see the make or model. It's black and in a thicket." Ridge clicks a few keys, rolling the mouse to bring the image forward. "I can't fucking see a damn thing! Outstanding job on making this place safe."

My belly flips when I realize what he's done. I lay my hand over his, drawing his attention. "You did all of this for me?"

"Harper, there's so many things I need to explain to you." His head drops, and for the first time, so does my resolve.

"You keep saying that and it's obvious you think whatever it is you need to tell me, is devastating but Ridge, there's no mistaking what you've done here. This was to keep me safe once I came home, thank you." I squeeze his hand in hopes to elevate the weight of what he's carrying.

He shakes his head, refusing to face me again. "One, I'm gonna need to go check this out. What's your eta?"

"Ten minutes, tops."

Ridge's head slowly bobs. "Harper, I'm gonna need you to stay here and wait for One. Remember what we discussed and where you need to go in case of an emergency?"

"Yeah, but..." Tears fall with every shake of my head. "please stay with me."

His hand slips from beneath mine and I immediately shiver, chilled to the bone. "I need you to stay here, watch the screens and if you see him, do as I ask. Will you do that for me, please?"

"Do I have a choice?" Anger boils in the pit of my stomach.

Ridge's eyes lock on mine, his words filled with as much emotion as his gaze is. "Yes, Harper. You've always had a choice and that will never change again. I'm asking you to do this, not telling you."

"Go." A wave of fear and nausea sweeps over me. "Just please... come back to me."

He lifts his hand, running the back of it over my jaw. "I will never leave you, ever."

"Ridge, be careful. I'm bringing the calvary." One ends the call and Ridge turns to the door.

"Please," I latch onto his hand. "I'll be waiting."

He leans in, pressing his lips to my hair. "I love strawberries." He swings the door wide and races down the stairs. I move closer to the monitors and watch as he runs toward danger, thinking of me and not himself.

"Dear God, please hold him close." My eyes flicker from screen to screen, hoping nothing's there but knowing he's lingering somewhere close.

I watch as Ridge's form disappears from view, laying my hand across my churning gut. I glance at the others, not wanting to leave Ridge for long.

A chill races down my back when something catches the corner of my eye. It's a black sedan sitting just beyond my brother's driveway.

My head snaps around when I hear something behind me. Holding my breath, I wait, hoping to hear Ridge coming up the stairs. The noise echoes around me, urging me to look back at the monitors again.

I bite my lip as two people come into view. My breath hitches as I squint, praying this isn't who, I think. As they come into focus, I gasp. "You son of a bitch."

Springing from my chair, I hurry down the stairs, trying not to fall before I can get out of the door. "I have to do something; I can't allow him to hurt her."

I sprint down the drive toward the gates, only for it to hit me I don't have the code for it. I have no other choice but to climb over the fence.

"Shit." I groan as my battered and beaten body takes another blow to its well-being. I maneuver the wall and race to her. Now, her cries are clearer, and rage fills me.

"Tell me where she is!" Weston's muscle flex as he grapples with Scout, yanking her around like a rag doll.

She yanks away long enough to protest. "Not on your fucking life, you pussy coward."