Temptation Trails - Page 150

CHAPTER 39

Garrett

I grabbed my phone before heading out, trying to push down the undercurrent of desperation. The flowers were a ticking clock and an important clue. If Phillip had been back to buy another white arrangement, I’d know he was ready to make his move. And I could find a way to trap him.

And if not, I wasn’t about to let my guard down. But at least it would tell me if I had more time to find what I needed to put a proper case together.

Either way, my priority was Harper. Yes, Jasmine deserved justice, and I’d do everything I could to make sure she, and her family, got it. But before I could do that, I had to make sure my woman was safe.

The florist wasn’t far from the bakery. I’d check in there, then go pick up Harper myself. If my suspicions were correct, we needed a lot more than the well-meaning SPS patrols. I wanted the fucking secret service, but I’d have to make do. And I didn’t know who I could trust at work. They already thought I was paranoid.

I couldn’t tell them about Phillip. Not yet. Not until I had evidence. And I couldn’t trust anyone else to keep Harper safe. The only people I did trust?

My family.

Thankfully, Owen was already at my parents’ place. I’d take Harper there. It was perfect—only one way in or out. And I’d loop in my brothers. We’d fill the house, and it didn’t matter how good he was, he’d never get through an entire family of Havens.

I stalked out of my house, amped with adrenaline. I tried to call Harper to let her know not to leave the bakery yet. She didn’t pick up, so I left her a quick voicemail.

“Hey, love. I’m coming to pick you up. Don’t go anywhere yet, just stay at the bakery. Love you.”

I was about to get in my car when something caught my eye.

A package in front of the garage.

My heart almost stopped dead in my chest and a surge of dread spread through my gut.

No. It couldn’t be.

Delivery people never left packages over there. They always brought them to the front door.

Which put them in sight of my doorbell camera.

This one was clearly outside the camera’s field of vision.

I walked over and picked it up. No label. No return address. Nothing. Just a blank box. I tore off the tape, and although I knew exactly what I’d find inside, it still made my insides twist.

White funeral flowers.

No. Fuck that guy.

In a rage, I threw the box and rushed to my car. I turned on the engine and my phone rang. Harper.

“Hey, love,” I said, my words coming out in a rush. “Don’t leave the bakery. Stay where you are. I’m coming to get you right now.”

She didn’t reply. Had she butt dialed me?

“Harper?”

Still nothing.

I looked at the screen. The call was connected. Where was she?

“Harper, I can’t hear you. Maybe you have a bad connection. Can you call me back?”

It wasn’t her voice that answered. It was a man. “No.”

Icy cold fear blasted through my chest. “Let me talk to her.”