“You willing to bet on that?” James glances between Harlow and me with a knowing look in his eyes, and I wonder if he could really do something like this to his own nephew. I am beginning to think he might. He is the sun in his own universe. Everyone and everything revolves around him.
I die a little inside when Harlow walks closer to James and stands by him. She glances back at me with tears falling across her soft cheeks. From what I know of her, she would never want to come between me and my dreams. Her surrender shows that she doesn’t have a selfish bone in her delicate body.
“Let me go with him for now, Sin. But I will never be with him again. I’ll figure it out. Somehow, some way. You’ve shown me what I have forgotten since my mother died. I matter. The thought of you losing your dreams makes me physically ill. Trust me. I promise, I’ll be all right.” Her words pierce my heart. I will not stop until I know she is free from him. I have one more trump card—Nina.
“You realize your own mother wants me to get Harlow away from you? She told me about your past. Well, it’s still here in your present. You need help, not Harlow. You’re sick.” I do want to add evil, but I am holding out hope I can talk some sense into this crazy man. It would be a first.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. My mother is referring to a couple school crushes I had years ago. Puppy love, they call it. Look where I am today—a renowned heart specialist, respected around the world. How could I rise to the top and be ‘sick,’ as you call me?” He laughs in a menacing way. “Harlow loves me. She’s just confused and has had so much to process over the last few months, then you pop into town and fill her with lies.”
He looks down at Harlow like she is a small child needing him for guidance. If she goes back with him and stays, I know a part of her will die. She will become numb again.
“Me?” I say, shocked he could blame me for helping her see the reality she lives in.
“I’m taking Harlow home with me and will meet you in one hour at the penthouse. You will have your bags packed and the keys to the car for me. As far as I’m concerned, your time in Rochester is over, too. I want you on the next flight out of here tonight. I don’t care if it takes you to Saint Louis.”
I ball my fists at my sides and fight the urge to punch him and take her away. Harlow looks from my eyes to my fists and shakes her head. She knows what is going on in my mind.
“Don’t go, Harlow. Come with me.” I plead with my eyes, begging her to release James’ hand and turn her back on him for the last time.
“I—” Harlow starts to speak.
“Until I have the money from the bracelet you sold today, I will consider it stolen and get the police involved. I have the receipt for it still. It truly belongs to me.” James brushes aside Harlow’s windblown hair and whispers to her, but I hear him clearly.
“Don’t worry, Sin. I swear, it will work out. Go back to New York City. Live your life and I’ll figure out how to do the same.” Her shoulders shake with emotions and her bright blue eyes, just moments ago filled with joy, contain sadness and defeat.
“You heard her. She’s coming back to me.” James tries to pull Harlow into an embrace, but she presses her hands on his chest and backs away from him.
“I will go back to the house with you, but I will never be with you again. It’s over.”
“I can work with that, love.” James smiles, hearing what he wants to hear in her words. In his sick, demented mind, he won.
James places his hand on Harlow’s lower back and the simple act of him touching her makes the blood pump through my veins at lightning speed.
After taking a couple steps toward the car, James uses his free hand to open the passenger’s side door for Harlow. In a couple seconds, Harlow will be sitting inside the car with James. Off to his house. My pounding heart and sweaty palms mean only one thing. This is wrong. Me letting her leave with him.
Harlow turns her head and peeks over her shoulder at me. Tears fill her eyes and run rivers over her cheeks. The lost, fearful look in her cloudy blue eyes guts me.
They will haunt me for the rest of my life if I let her go. So, there’s only one thing to do.
“James,” I shout, and watch Harlow jump in her own skin.
In unison, they turn around to face me. James squints at me in an unspoken challenge. Harlow gazes at me with a glimmer of hope. My choice is made.
Fuck living for myself. For once in my life, I have a chance to do a noble act and save a life.
“What do you want?” James hisses at me. Gone are any pretenses of us being friendly enemies. Hate radiates from his every pore.
“Harlow,” I say while running the few feet between us.
I pull back my fist and swing it forward with every ounce of vengeance for Harlow I possess.
My fist to James’ jaw brings a bone crushing sound. I hardly feel the impact as James’ head flies backward at an inhuman speed. He had no time to react or bring his hands up in defense, so my punch lands swift and hard.
Harlow gasps, then screams as James falls in a weightless heap onto the ground. I reach out for her and wrap her in a tight embrace.