Page 91 of The Attraction

“Yes.” I run my hands along my thighs to try to stop my leg bouncing that has started, and all I can think of is Forrest’s hand that would steady me when things got hard.

“I want to be able to go back him as a whole woman and not because I need him. He deserves a love that is more than that. And for the first time in my life, I want to be the one to give him that.” I gulp down the discomfort that has come with such honesty.

“Then let’s do that.” She smiles at me. “But can I let you in on a little secret?”

I nod at her.

“You deserve a love like that too.”

And then I do something that shocks the hell out of both of us. I reach forward and take her in my arms and hug her.

And it feels amazing.

FORREST

After spending the day at Ashton’s office, we have come up with a plan.

Everyone I voiced my idea to today looked at me like I was crazy, but the more we talked about it, they started to agree it had merit.

And while I didn’t want to, I have to rely on Ashton to have my back on this. Because he quite forcefully told me that if he lets me get too hurt that Harper will have his balls, and apparently, he’s quite fond of them. My girl scares men, and I love that about her. She is not afraid to be her own force of nature, and we need more people like that in this world.

Ashton brought in some of his team, and we video-linked with a guy called Ghost who is the tech brains behind the operations on certain cases. He’s also the one who will make sure they know where I am at all times once we put the plan into action. We agreed that tomorrow morning, we will leak a random story to start popping up on the news feed that Chester will see on his phone. I don’t understand any of the tech side of things, but this Ghost guy has already hacked his phone and computer, as they have been monitoring him for a while. So, he will take over what Chester’s devices show him, and make him only see a shadow feed that is what we need him to read. Fuck, these computer guys are incredible but so dangerous with the way they can take over our lives without us even knowing.

Chester will be fed a few stories about Harper and me, how we are together, and then he will start to get stories of how I have just landed in Chicago to do some big takeover of another hotel. It’s all bullshit, of course, but we will see if he takes the bait and starts searching me online. Of course, Ghost will only let him see what he thinks is enough to get him hooked on wanting to get to me, but no personal information.

Then we will plant a story of where I will be tomorrow night and hope like hell he shows his face. Ashton and Ghost can only lead a horse to water, but they can’t make him drink, so that’s where I come in. I need to provoke him enough that instead of going after Harper, he finds me an easier target being right there in front of him. That he’ll want to take my money and hurt me as payback for what her father did to his parents.

Ashton is worried about that part, but I’m not. I just have to think like Chester does and then I can always be one step ahead of him. It’s a skill I’ve mastered with businesses and the individuals who run them. I’ve made a lot of money over the years by just studying people then sitting back and waiting for the right time to strike. This is no different.

Well, maybe that’s not entirely true, this time I could have a gun pointed at me, and that will make it a little more difficult to gain the upper hand. But even that doesn’t worry me.

I’d take a bullet for the woman I love, no matter what it costs me.

Even if it’s my life.

* * *

Sitting on my bed in the hotel room after taking a long-awaited shower, I’m scrolling through the group chat on my phone with the boys today. Because of course Rem couldn’t keep his mouth shut about where I am.

Forrest: Finished with Ashton, and we have a plan.

Rem: I’m so pissed at you. I should have guessed what you’d do, but stupidly, I thought you were going off to clear your head.

Forrest: You would have done the same.

Rem: But I would’ve been smart and told my head of security that I was leaving the fucking country! Instead of waiting until all the alerts start going off as soon as your phone pinged in Chicago. You’re lucky I didn’t call you as soon as I saw it because you would be deaf in one ear now from me bursting your eardrum yelling at you.

Forrest: Yes, Dad!

Rem: Don’t be an ass!

Flynn: Pissed is a mild word to use for my thoughts on you, Brother.

Flynn: I’m fucking livid!

Nic: Seriously, we are doing this now at 4.30am?

Forrest: Why are you all awake?

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