Page 66 of Wade’s Wrath

“Maybe four months ago,” she said.

“About what?” Butcher asked.

“I don't know. I only heard part of it,” she admitted.

“Tell us what you heard,” Butcher ordered. Harlow closed her eyes, and she heard her father's voice—cold and angry. I gave you access. Don't make me regret it. Frank had laughed, and then he'd said⁠—

Her eyes opened. “Frank used the word, ‘inventory.’”

Wade frowned. “What?”

“Frank called them inventory,” she repeated. The word tasted disgusting in her mouth.

Butcher's expression darkened. “Exactly what did he say?”

Harlow forced herself to remember. “He said, ‘You wanted the foundation profitable. Don't complain about how I move the inventory.’” Nobody spoke, and Harlow's chest hurt. “I thought they were talking about supplies.” Wade stepped closer, and she looked at him. “I thought they meant donations for the charity auction.”

“You couldn't have known,” he insisted.

“My father knew,” she whispered.

“Harlow—” Wade said, reaching for her.

“He fucking knew,” she spat. The truth hit her all at once. Richard hadn't been ignorant. He hadn't been fooled. He wasn't an innocent businessman whose company Frank had secretly used. Her father knew. Maybe he hadn't known everything. Maybe there was still some explanation, but deep down, Harlow understood that there wasn't.

Her knees gave out, and Wade caught her before she hit the floor. This time, she didn't fight him. She wrapped both arms around his neck and buried her face against his chest. Wade held her, and for the first time in a long time, she felt safe.

One hand cradled the back of her head. “I've got you.”

Harlow squeezed her eyes shut. “I hate him.” Wade said nothing. “I hate my own father.”

His arms tightened. “You're allowed to hate him.” A sob escaped her, and she hated it. She hated crying in front of everyone, but Wade didn't tell her to stop this time. He just held her. Eventually, the tears slowed, and embarrassment replaced them.

Harlow pulled away. “Sorry.”

Wade frowned. “For what?”

“For crying,” she said.

He wiped beneath her eye with his thumb. “Don't apologize for shit you don't owe anyone an apology for.” She nodded.

Butcher was still studying the manifest. “We have a bigger problem.”

Wade looked at him. “Great, what now?”

Butcher tapped the paper. “This shipment leaves tomorrow night.”

Harlow's heart stopped. “What shipment?”

“Whatever they're moving through that warehouse,” Butcher said.

“People,” she whispered.

Butcher nodded grimly. “Probably.”

“Then you have to go in before tomorrow,” she said.

“Yeah, we do,” Butcher agreed.