Chapter 46

JASPER

W atching Harper felt like seeing a completely different woman than the one I met weeks ago. She was poised and confident and seemed to be enjoying herself. She even handled Uncle Gary without hesitation; he is known for being a bit handsy. I kept her at a distance from him and held her close, continually looking for any signs of tension, but none appeared. She stayed tucked under my hold and pushed through the night like a fucking good girl.

The more we interacted with the guests the more comfortable she became. It wasn't long before I could relax and try to enjoy myself. I have to admit I expected the night to go much differently. I prearranged for Max to cover for me in case I needed to leave early should she become overwhelmed, but my girl is resilient.

As she sipped her champagne, her eyes fluttered letting the bubbles tickle her full lips, Oblivious to my watchful eye.

She is a goddess.

"Hey, did you see who's here?" Max whispered just loud enough for me to hear him.

"Mmmhmm, She's Kevin's plus one." I glared at him. He was fully aware of my feelings towards Nadia. She was known for sticking her head into business that wasn't hers and stirring up shit when she didn't get her way. It seemed she took pleasure in creating problems for me in any way she could following our one-night stand. I was clear on my intentions, and she agreed until she didn't. Since then, I've been a target. The girl can't take no for an answer.

"Kevin? Really?" Max nearly spit his drink out. Kevin is a fucking pipsqueak troublemaker on his own, he is so eager to empress his father that he doesn't care who he has to step on to get ahead to make that old bastard proud of him. On second thought I guess the two of them are a compatible match.

Harper stood there, radiating beauty, conversing with some ladies who approached her to gab about her dress. She glanced over at me and offered a smile that pierced straight through my heart, brightening my entire fucking world.

I couldn't wait until I didn't have to share her with a crowd, I was tempted to leave with her and keep her all to myself, but I understood how significant this evening was for her. A single phone call from me could get any newspaper, magazine, or tabloid interested in her, but she would never agree to that. She was determined to achieve this on her own, and I had more respect for her because of it.

There was a rush of commotion and whispering at the front of the ballroom.

"There's Christian," Max said excitedly. Max adored his younger brother and since Christian decided to bring his research here to Miami it was all Max could talk about. Max and Christian fought like brothers do but there was no hiding how Max felt about His only brother. Max's father always favored Christian growing up, Max left home as soon as he could but never once turned his back on his brother.

I took Harper's hand and guided her to the reserved table where Christian and his stunning fiancé were seated. As we neared, Christian stood up, his eyes growing wide with surprise to see Harper walking alongside me.

"So the rumors are true, you've finally met your match and found a lady that could keep you in line." Christian smiled as he reached in for a hug.

"Nice to see you Uncle, this place looks amazing." he reached over and grabbed the hand of a gorgeous young lady as she rose to her feet.

"Lyla this is Jasper Whitlock, My crazy uncle and this is his…." he stopped and gave me a pointed look as he gestured towards Harper with a nod.

"Harper Williams, my girlfriend," I said Matter-of-factly as I pulled her against my side. She reached her hand out to shake my nephews and instead, he pulled her from my grip playfully and embraced her in a friendly hug. Lyla mirrored the action and placed a kiss on each of Harper's cheeks.

I held my breath anxious for Harper's reaction. She stepped back to my side, wrapped her arm around my forearm, and leaned her head against me. No tremble, no shakes, just her gentle touch.

When Max walked up I used the distraction to check in with her. I knew she would probably not want to voice that she was uncomfortable in front of so many listening ears. I leaned down and whispered into her ear,

"Hey Doll, how ya holdin' up?" she looked up at me through her long dark eyelashes and grinned.

"Girlfriend?" she teased. Dammit, I knew that she wouldn't just let it be.

"Yes, Harper you are mine. I'm not letting you go anywhere." I laid a small kiss on her cheek just below her earlobe and growled, "Mine."

She giggled. That sound was the most perfect sound I had ever heard.

I looked up and saw that Max and Christian were staring at us. Both, with shit-eating grins on their faces.

"What?" I snapped at the both of them adding a mischievous smirk. I have never shown interest in dating or courting a woman before Harper.

Harper has influenced me in countless ways, and she's completely unaware of it.

The evening progressed, and it wasn't until Max's video montage, showcasing every embarrassing moment caught on tape, had been viewed by everyone in the room that the series of toasts concluded.

"Uncle, this has been such a lovely engagement party apart from my brother's wild display of affection there," he said glaring at his brother but only in good fun. He knew his brother loved him and how happy he was for him and all his accomplishments.

"What could I ever do to repay you for such a generous gesture."

"No need for that Christian, but I would love to ask a favor of you," I glanced in Harper's direction. She gazed at me; her face etched with confusion.

"Oh it's no question uncle, of course anything," Christian said eagerly.

"Harper, as a journalist, stands to gain considerable favor from her boss by securing an exclusive interview with you two, especially since you are the ‘it' couple at the moment." I gave Harper's hand a small squeeze. Encouraging her to speak up.

"I would be so grateful but please don't feel obligated, I'd understand if you would rather keep things private," Harper uttered with a trace of hesitation that I'm sure only I detected.

"Absolutely, we will be in town for a few days. How about the four of us grab lunch tomorrow?" Lyla excitedly interjected, giving us men no room to object as the ladies had decided.

Leaning back in my chair, I listened to Lyla and Harper discuss something called Smut. Based on the contents of the conversation it seemed it was related to those books she was so fond of; I made a mental note to look it up later. Whatever it was, it seemed to be an engaging topic that maintained a hint of the pink flush on Harper's face that I found so appealing.

My gaze swept across the room, halting at two unmistakable figures. Their facial tattoos and shaved heads made them stand out. Turning to my right, I caught Max's eye and nodded toward the Petrov brothers, who had now averted their eyes and were heading to the bar. Max's frown deepened as he saw them, and he pushed his chair back, ready for action.

"Harper baby, I will be right back I've got a couple of guests I need to deal with. Will you be okay here?" I whispered trying to keep my tone calm not to alarm her.

"Yes, of course. hurry back, please." She said, then kissed my cheek. Her lips felt like silk against the five o'clock stubble on my jaw.

Shortly, Max and I confronted Malice and Havoc, the two troublemakers Russians who were issuing empty threats and disrupting my inherited businesses in Atlanta.

How the fuck did they get in here? I would need to address security immediately, after a fumble this bad.

"Jasper, Max," Malice nodded, raising his glass of amber liquid to the bar, not even giving a glancing back in our direction.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I snarled through gritted teeth. No time for pleasantries. When neither asshole said a word, I was seconds away from losing my cool. Max sensed my rage and stepped up, before he could do anything the brothers turned in their seats.

"I've always been a sucker for a great love story," Havoc said, his words loaded with sarcasm.

"Your little brother's fiancé is easy on the eyes; great tits."

Max growled just before he lunged for the sick fuck in front of him, but my hand darted out just in time to stop him.

"This isn't the place Max, too many eyes and too many recording devices." I reminded him. My glare burned through Havoc as I spoke.

"Why are you here?" I directed my question to Malice who until then had been disturbingly quiet.

He answered with a menacing smirk, "To congratulate the happy couple, of course."

I let out a snort. What are these idiots up to? I knew they weren't stupid enough to make a move with so many witnesses, not even to intimidate me, but it would take a lot more than showing up at my event to make me flinch.

"They don't need anything from you, I'd suggest you get on with your night."

"I think you are misunderstanding. I'm not talking about them," Malice said tilting his head towards the dining room where most of the guests were seated, more directly, Christian and Lyla.

My brows furrowed as I glanced at Max and then back to Malice.

"Oh, she didn't tell you?" he laughed maniacally.

"Your girlfriend, she's quite the entertainer," he said smirking.

Max stiffened beside me.

"What the fuck did you say?" Rage boiled inside of me at the realization of what he was insinuating.

"We weren't sure at first," Havoc started, "But we heard she was hiding out here in Miami somewhere." he continued. Then he licked his lips.

The asshole licked his lips. It was everything inside of me not to wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze until his fucking eyeballs popped out of their sockets.

"What. The. Fuck. Do. You. Want?" I growled, enunciating every word, confused about their intentions.

A low grunt of a laugh came from Malice and soon Havoc joined in. Both sets of dark empty eyes staring right past me. Max nudged my arm and gave me a pointed look. Gradually, I turned my head to glance back, that's when our eyes locked.

I could see the terror in her eyes and the look of anguish and fear. The trembling of her hands and legs was noticeable from my position across the ballroom. I watched her face as time around me slowed. Tears began to stream down her cheeks, and at that moment, I understood. She turned searching the room and then she darted towards the exit. My security team was out there, and I nodded at Max to go after her. She would be safe in a matter of minutes.

I shook my head and turned towards the two pieces of shit in front of me.

"If anyone touches her you will die a slow and painful death alongside any of your goons who take part, am I clear?" I snarled breathing heavily through my nose, trying to calm my rage. They knew exactly what they were doing when they came here tonight and how to make their point without immediate retaliation.

Too many eyes.