CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER TWELVE

There were certain types of people who were only interesting when they were drunk. Dario was one of those people. Sadly, he wasn’t drunk.

As he did his best to convince Harper that electing a Monarch would benefit the U.S., she got the feeling he was hoping that if he could get her onside, he could thereby get Knox onside. Snort. No one had that kind of influence on Knox. The idiot should know that.

Glancing at the reception desk, she saw that Knox was still there; flicking through papers with the concierge, who had rushed to him as they exited the restaurant not long after Isla’s speech. Knox had left her with Tanner while he quickly helped his staff deal with something. Dario must have seen it as an opportunity to speak with Harper without any interference.

“Isla was correct when she said that electing a Monarch could bring some form of order,” said Dario. “But, like Malden, she wants to be Monarch for all the wrong reasons.”

“Is that right?” Harper’s disinterested tone didn’t faze him.

“What they want isn’t order. It’s power. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Hmmm.”

“They’re not interested in the well-being of our kind. Surely you see that.”

She sighed. “Let me just save you some time, Dario, and make it clear that nothing will warm me to the idea of having a Monarch.”

“Then you’re failing to see the bigger picture.” He stepped close to her, too close. Beside her, Tanner growled, but Dario didn’t seem to notice. “You’re a smart girl, Miss Wallis. I can see that sharp mind right there in your eyes. You have to know that electing a Monarch is the way forward.” He held out his hand. “How about you and I go to the bar, discuss this further?”

“Why would we do that?”

Knox’s mind brushed against hers, bringing a shocking vibe of black jealousy. Why is Dario so close he’s practically touching you?

He’s just trying to get my vote. And she didn’t appreciate the accusatory tone of Knox’s voice…like she was flirting with the asshole or something.

“Dario,” Knox drawled as he and Levi joined them. Knox didn’t return to her side. He moved to Dario’s side instead, but his focus was on Harper – his brooding eyes glittered with jealousy, possessiveness, and anger.

As Dario turned to face Knox, he immediately stepped back at his dark expression. “I was just talking with your anchor.”

“I see that.” And it took everything Knox had not to gut the prick, especially while his demon’s predatory possessiveness was whipping through him. It wasn’t just because Dario had edged into Harper’s personal space. It was because not only was there a covetous glint to his eyes, a greedy desire to possess, but because Dario was telepathically broadcasting that desire loud and clear.

Knox was powerful enough to pick up stray thoughts and images from people’s minds if their shields weren’t solid. Dario was very clearly imagining Harper naked beneath him, her legs wrapped around him while he fucked her hard. Not a picture Knox wanted in his head.

He could understand Dario’s urge to have her. Harper was beautiful, unique, without guile, and so aloof that it was a challenge to any male demon worth his salt. Knox had picked up that challenge. But she was also his and…and now Dario was fantasizing about her sucking him off.

“I suggested that she and I could go to the bar for a—”

“That won’t be happening,” Knox rumbled. “And neither will the shit that’s going through your head.”

Dario paled. “We were just going to discuss the election, that’s all.”

Knox could sense Dario doing his best to clear his mind, to keep a firm grip on his fantasies, and to focus totally on Knox. But, as if the pressure was simply too much for him, Dario’s fantasies all burst out of that mental grip and flashed through his head like a flicker pad: images of him fucking Harper, tasting her pussy, tying her up, sucking on her nipples, having her ride him, and forcing her to suck his cock…It was too much for Knox, and it was far too much for his demon.

Harper inwardly cursed as Knox’s eyes bled to black. Head tilted, the demon slowly advanced on Dario like a predator closing in on its prey. The rage emanating from it sent apprehension prickling down her spine. Hey, just because she knew it wouldn’t hurt her didn’t mean it wasn’t a scary fucker – especially when she had seen for herself exactly what it was capable of doing to someone that pissed it off.

To Dario’s credit, he stood his ground against that chilling presence. She had no clue what was going on, but she could sense that Knox’s demon was seriously unhappy.

“I see what you want,” it told Dario, who swallowed hard. “I see it all.” It slowly shook its head. “You can’t have her. She’s mine.”

Clearing his throat, Dario nodded. “Understood.”

Yeah? Well she was glad someone understood, because Harper was still a little confused here. She looked from one male to the other as Knox’s demon retreated. “I really hope that wasn’t about me. We were only talking about the election.”

Knox turned to her. “Really?”

“Yes, he thinks that—” Harper nearly jumped out of her damn skin when an ice-cold fingertip flicked her clit. No, he hadn’t just done that in public! He hadn’t just—

She jerked as the same fingertip circled her clit, making it heat and tingle. Oh, the bastard.

Dario frowned at her. “Are you all right?”

“You don’t look too good, baby,” commented Knox, ensuring he looked the image of concern. “Your cheeks are flushed. Must be all the champagne.”

An icy finger slid through her folds, and Harper had to lock her knees to stay upright. Stop it, she hissed.Knox didn’t. As he and Dario talked, the finger casually slid through her folds over and over, pausing now and then to play with her clit. She didn’t know how something so cold could give off so much heat. I will kill you for this. The psychic finger sank inside her, and she couldn’t hold in a gasp.

Brow creased in worry, Knox moved to her. He stroked a hand over her hair and down her back to rest on her ass – an unmistakable display of masculine possession. “Maybe you should go upstairs and lie down.”

I’m going to rip your cock off and—

A second finger joined the first; they scissored, stretched, and swirled. Despite her best efforts to withstand the pleasure, her knees buckled. She had to grab onto Knox’s shirt for support.

He curled his arm around her. “Seems like the champagne’s definitely gotten to you. Dario, enjoy your evening.” There wasn’t an ounce of sincerity in the latter words. Knox guided her to the private elevator that would take them straight to the top floor. All the while, those icy fingers continued to pump.

You’reamotherfuckingcocksuckingpsychopathicsonofabitch!

A hard thrust of those fingers wrenched a gasp from her. At this point, her pussy was flaming and throbbing – needing him so badly it was all she could do not to sob. But he was being a dick.

When Levi and Tanner went to step into the elevator, Knox shook his head. “Take the stairs.” The sentinels nodded, giving him a knowing smile.

The moment the doors closed, she whirled on Knox with a growl. Before she could say a word, his mouth crashed on hers and his tongue shot inside. The kiss was dominant, possessive, and devastating. He forcefully backed her into the wall, making the breath slam out of her lungs. His hands shackled her wrists and held them high above her head – the entire time, the psychic fingers continued to drive her to the brink of insanity.

Knox kicked her legs apart and used his lower body to pin her in place. “Look at me.” As she did, her eyes changed from amber to gold; they blazed with a raw need that made his gut twist. He fucking burned for her. He was hard and hurting, aching to be in her, to feel her pussy clenching and squeezing him. But not yet.

As the fingers picked up their rhythm, Harper moaned and bit hard on her lip. Being unable to move, unable to arch into the thrusts, only increased her frustration. But she didn’t fight him, knowing from experience that the sadistic bastard would slow down to punish her if she didn’t let him lead.

“Good girl, take it.” Upping the pace of the thrusts to reward her, Knox sucked on her earlobe. “Did you know that if I stopped now, you’d stay like this? You wouldn’t be able to finish yourself off. It wouldn’t matter how hard or how many times you fucked yourself with your fingers, it wouldn’t matter if you turned to someone else – which you wouldn’t, or I would fucking kill them for even daring to touch what’s mine.” He stared into eyes that were glazed over with lust. “Only I can take that ache away once I put it there, Harper. Only me.”

“Knox, I’m really, really close to coming.” At that moment, they reached the top floor. His hand shot out and punched the emergency button before the doors could open. Then the cold, tormenting fingers dissolved, making the blistering ache inside her even worse. “No!” she sobbed.

“Tell me you want my cock in you.” Defiance flared in her expression. He arched a brow. “If you want it, you have to tell me.”

She licked her lips. “I want your cock in me.”

He peeled up her dress, hoisted her up, and unbuttoned his fly as she curled her limbs around him. “Are you protected?” he rumbled.

She nodded. Demons had invented contraceptive pills before humans.

“Good. I want to shoot my come inside you. I want you dripping with it.” He plunged inside her, groaning as her pussy clamped around him like a vice. “I love that you get so fucking wet for me.” He drove into her again. “And I love being in this pussy. Tight. Hot. Slick. And mine.”

Harper clung to him as he brutally powered into her at a furious pace – taking everything, demanding everything. She was so hot and hypersensitive inside and he was so big that it should have been painful, but nothing had ever felt better than his cock stretching her, filling her to bursting.

“Tell me you belong to me, Harper,” he growled. Her eyes narrowed. “Say it.”

She snarled. “Now you’re pushing it.” He stilled, pinning her with his dark sensual gaze that suddenly glittered with danger and caution. She froze instinctively.

“Say it,” he rumbled, his tone dominant and implacable.

“I’m your anchor, so you have rights to me,” she conceded. “But I belong to me.” He smiled crookedly, but it didn’t relax her – there was nothing reassuring about that smile.

Knox punched his cock inside her once, twice. “Oh, you’re so wrong, baby.” The words were soft yet insistent. “You belong to me.”

She shook her head. “You’ll give me up.” He’d have no choice once his demon lost interest. But resolve was suddenly etched into every line of his face.

“No.” He drove deep once more. “I won’t.”

“Your demon will make you do it.” She swallowed hard as his eyes bled to black.

“No, little sphinx,” countered that familiar emotionless voice. “You’re ours.”

It began ruthlessly ramming into her at a feverish pace. For a few moments Knox regained control, groaning about how hot she was, how her pussy was made for him. Then the demon was back, driving so deep inside her she knew it was in her womb. Again and again they switched, so that she was being ferociously fucked by both Knox and his demon. Neither gave her any reprieve.

As her pussy tightened and fluttered around his cock, Knox knew she was about to come. “Wait,” he ordered.

“I can’t,” she sobbed.

But he knew she would; she always did. Even when he shifted his angle, hitting her sweet spot, she held back for him. “Good girl. You can come now.” He growled low in his throat as her blazing hot pussy squeezed and rippled around him when she came, screaming. “Fuck.” He jammed his cock deep and exploded, shooting jet after jet of come inside her.

Eyes closed, she slumped over him as tremors racked her body. Knox hit the emergency button to release the elevator and then pyroported into the bedroom of their hotel suite. His little sphinx was so wiped out that even the lick of flames against her skin didn’t disturb her.

Carefully, he laid her on the bed and removed her clothes before removing his own and settling beside her. Shudders were still rocking her, but her panting had eased. As his arm slipped around her and pulled her against him, she opened eyes that were now a jungle green.

“Why do I get the feeling that the public psychic finger-fucking incident was brought on by Dario’s thoughts?” she asked.

“Because it was.”

Her brow furrowed. “I’m confused.”

Toying with her necklace, he explained. “I didn’t like seeing him so close to you. It was bad enough that he’d been watching and ogling you all night.” Her frown deepened. “You never notice when males are staring at you, but trust me, they do.” He smoothed his hand down her back. “But I picked up some of his thoughts. He was imagining you and him in some very—”

“La, la, la, don’t tell me, I don’t want to know.” She juddered, not at all turned on by the idea of Dario touching her in any way. “So, why did I get sexually tormented?”

“I was reminding you that you’re mine.” He buried his hand in her hair, loving the fruity smell and silken feel of it. “I’m not used to being possessive of another person. It’s also very new to my demon. Neither of us are good at processing it yet. Downstairs, I wanted to disembowel Dario. My demon was leaning more toward burning him alive on the spot. The only reason it held back was that Dario didn’t dispute its claim on you.”

“Its claim on me?”

“You haven’t worked it out yet? It wants to keep you. It wants to take you as its mate.”

It was only right then, as happiness threatened to burst through her, that Harper realized she’d gone and done what she’d always feared doing: she’d fallen for a demon. Fallen hard. Technically, it should have made her want to run. It didn’t, though, because she wanted him more than she wanted to protect herself. So why didn’t happiness fill her at the thought that he felt the same? She generally distrusted any situation where she got what she wanted. In her experience, if it seemed too good to be true, it wasn’t at all true.

“Always so wary,” Knox mused with a smile.

“See it from my point of view. You were very clear that your demon would soon lose interest. Now you’re saying it wants me to stick around.”

“Not just ‘stick around.’ It wants to keep you. Collect you. Own you.” The entity inside every demon was incapable of caring for others; it didn’t have the emotional capacity for that. But when it became as firmly attached to a person as Knox’s demon now was to Harper, it wanted to own them – and it never let them go. “It has always been possessive of you. So possessive that it branded you. Twice. But downstairs, the depth of its possessive fury surprised me. Then I sensed what had built that possessiveness to such a level, what fueled it. And I understood.”

“Good, ’cause I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You gave it what no one else has ever given it: total acceptance.”

“But your sentinels—”

“Are loyal to me, but there’s still that wariness of me and my demon. And there should be. They’re smart to fear us. But you…you believe it will never harm you, you trust it to never do so, and you accept it despite your fear.” She’d watched it call on the flames of hell, watched it destroy two practitioners. But she hadn’t backed away, even though there had been fear in her eyes and scent. The demon usually liked the scent of fear, but it hadn’t liked the taint of it in Harper. “And even though it spooked you a little downstairs with its jealousy, you didn’t reject it just now. In doing all that, you sealed your fate. It’s keeping you.”

“You know, it’s possible that this is because I’m your anchor. The demon could be a little confused—”

Knox shook his head. “It doesn’t think of sex on the same level that it thinks of anchors. To the demon, the first is a basic need, and the other is a psychic need. This attachment it formed to you isn’t about needs, it’s about you.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “My demon’s so powerful that it considers everyone prey. That’s part of what makes it very easily bored, but that also makes it lonely.

“When the demon pursues a female, it’s more about the conquest. It doesn’t think of any woman as unique, they’re interchangeable to it. And it reads people so well that it sees everyone as predictable. But you…it never knows what you’ll do or say next. You not only pretty much snort at my forceful personality, you stand up to the demon if you think it’s pushing you too hard. You intrigue it and accept it. Like I said, you sealed your fate.”

It was all very well that his demon wanted to keep her and take her as its mate, but…“What about you? What do you want?”

“I’m not a good choice for you, Harper.” He wouldn’t lie to her. “I don’t have a lot of good in me.” When she looked like she might argue, he said, “I’m not a self-loather, I’m a realist. The truth is that I’m as cunning and calculated as they say. I manipulate, I hurt, and I destroy to get what I want. You’ve seen what I’m capable of. You can imagine what damage and pain I can cause. I’d never harm you, but I have and I will harm others if and when I have to. I’ll always be ruthless and controlling. You can do better. But…it’s too late for you. I told you before, you belong to me. I won’t let you go.”

It wasn’t because she was his anchor, it was because she was Harper. He had always considered himself too emotionally disconnected to ever want a mate. Especially since he was so restless and discontented despite having everything he wanted…or maybe it was because he had everything he wanted. The fact was that he was just as attached to Harper as his demon was. Neither he nor the predator within him was willing to give her up. “There’s no going back.”

As he bent to lick over the brand circling her breast, she asked, “You’re not going to ask me what I want?”

“No.” He latched onto her nipple, sucking hard. “It’s not relevant.”

“What do you mean it’s not relevant?”

Her prickly tone made him smile. “You know how our kind works. They never give up what’s theirs. Do you honestly think that anything you say would make me walk away?”

“Did it occur to you that I might not want to walk away?”

Not really. His little sphinx had a lot of issues. “Are you telling me that, for once, you’re going to accept a claim on you without a struggle? That you want me as your mate?”

“Well, yeah. I can’t exactly struggle when me and my demon are just as gone for you and yours, can I?” The crooked smile that always heated her blood surfaced on his face.

“No, you can’t.” He rolled her onto her back, hiked up one leg, and drove himself deep. “All mine.”

If there was one thing capable of shitting on Knox’s mood, it was coming out of the shower to hear Harper arguing with an irritating fucker via her cell phone. ‘Royce the Rodent’ Khloë called him. Knox thought it was an accurate description. The human persisted in sending Harper apologetic text messages that she pointedly ignored. But the silent treatment didn’t seem to be working, because he was bothering her again. The human definitely needed dealing with.

As she ended the call and turned to Knox, her expression inscrutable, he growled, “The human?”

Harper nodded. “I told him he has to be mistaken but…he said there are snakes outside my apartment.”

Nothing she said could have shocked Knox more. “There are, what?”

“I gotta go there.”

Minutes later, Levi drove them and Tanner to her apartment. As they pulled up outside and she caught a glimpse of exotic-looking snakes slithering over her front door, she shuddered. “That’s just freaky.”

Royce, who was leaning against what was presumably his car, came rushing over as they exited the Bentley. “I told you I wasn’t lying. Do we call pest control?”

Knox dismissed the human with a look. “We can take things from here. You can go.”

Royce bristled. “I’m staying.”

Knox ground his teeth. If they had the time for this shit, he would be happy to deal with the fucker. Right then, they had more pressing matters. “Go, Mr. Yardley.”

“Don’t think you get to tell me what to do.” Royce clenched his fists. “I’m not stupid, I know you’re sleeping with Harper. But I also know it won’t last. You’ve got a reputation for being a player. He’s not serious about you, Harper. Everything I’ve read about him says he’s never been in a real relationship and he doesn’t want one. He’s just using you.”

Tanner growled. “Okay, you really need to leave.”

“No, Harper’s—”

“Mine,” stated Knox silkily, pushing into the human’s personal space until they were nose to nose. “That means you are no one to her, and she is no one to you. Are we clear?”

Harper went to speak, to tell Royce to leave, but Levi gave a quick shake of the head. She understood. Knox needed to deliver his warning. It was a guy thing.

“You’ll throw her aside within a week. I’m the one who loves her.” Ignoring Harper’s snort, Royce went on, “If I hadn’t messed up and she hadn’t left me—”

“I’d have taken her from you,” finished Knox. He wasn’t lying. He’d have pursued Harper whether she was single or not; he’d have done whatever it took to lure her away from the human in front of him. “Like I said, she’s mine. You will stop calling her, stop texting her, stop bothering her at work, and stop turning up at her apartment. Or life could get very, very hard for you.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I don’t like rhetorical questions.” Knox’s demon was dangerously close to the surface, stirred by both the human and the immediate threat to Harper. The demon’s ire slipped into his tone and expression as Knox added, “In simplistic terms, if you don’t leave now, I’ll make your life hell in a way you can’t even comprehend. Trust me, you don’t want that.”

Whatever Royce saw in Knox’s eyes made him blanch and take a step back. Knox slanted a glance at Levi. Understanding, the sentinel urged the human to his vehicle. Royce ranted a little about being manhandled, but he eventually sped away in his car. Knox threaded his fingers through Harper’s as he led her toward her apartment. “He’s a waste of skin, Harper. I don’t understand what you saw in him.”

“Me neither. But I’m more confused by this.” As they came to stand in front of her door, she said, “I mean, what the fuck? Why would—?” A snake coiled and launched itself at Harper with a speed that shocked her. “Shit!” A hand shot out and caught it before it could reach her. Hellfire rushed from Knox’s hand to engulf the snake’s body. Then it was gone; completely vanquished. “Um. Thanks.”

“I’ve seen this before. The snakes aren’t real. We can touch them, and they can bite. But they’re not animals, they’re part of a spell. Unravel the spell, and they disappear.”

“Dark practitioners at work again,” Tanner growled, radiating more protective energy than usual as he stood beside Harper – probably because Knox had announced to him and Levi in the Bentley that he’d taken her as his mate. Neither sentinel had seemed all that surprised.

Harper turned to Knox. “You said this is a spell. What kind of spell? I mean, what is its purpose? To stop me from going inside?”

“The intention isn’t to keep you out of your apartment,” said Knox, ‘feeling’ the energy of the spell and ‘reading’ it. “There are more snakes inside. All poisonous and in an aggressive state. Their venom is preternatural, and it has one purpose.”

“What does it do?” asked Levi.

“Corrupts,” replied Knox. “Whatever they bite will decay, rot, and degenerate to ash.”

Harper gaped. “Are you saying that if their venom touches any of my stuff, it’ll basically crumble to nothing?”

“Yes. But their target is you.”

As if to prove it, another snake launched itself at her. Tanner caught that one and sharply folded it backwards, snapping its neck. Ooookay.

“Oh my God!” exclaimed a female voice behind them as Levi destroyed the last two snakes with small balls of hellfire.

Turning, Harper blinked. It was obviously a day for surprises. Knox and his sentinels all positioned themselves in front of her.

Knox asked suspiciously, “What are you doing here, Carla?”

The woman clasped her hands in front of her as she slowly walked forward, dancing her alarmed gaze from Knox to where the snakes once were. “I, um, I wanted to talk to Harper. Larkin wouldn’t tell me where she was – only that she wasn’t in the hotel. I thought she might have gone home.”

Knox narrowed his eyes. “Is that so?”

“Where did the snakes come from?”

“Now that’s a very good question.”

Carla stumbled before coming to an abrupt halt. “You suspect me?”

More interested in the little matter of a spell being put on her home, Harper asked Knox, “Can you unravel the spell?”

He shook his head. “Only another practitioner or an incantor can do that.” Incantors were demons that could use magick.

“I know a few incantors,” said Levi. “I can call one, have her come down here. She should be able to understand and untangle the threads of the spell.”

“You do that.” Knox curled an arm around Harper. “Come on, let’s go.”

As Tanner opened the rear door of the Bentley, Carla stepped forward. “Wait, Harper, I – I was hoping we could talk. Just for a minute. Please?”

Harper cocked her head. “Why? You want to make nice with me to be sure I don’t ask Knox to cast you out of the lair? Or are you panicking that I’ll blab about our sharing of DNA to your family?”

Carla’s shoulders slumped. She looked defeated and hurt. “I should have known there was no point in this. The imps have all turned you against me.”

Harper snorted. “Oh no, Carla, you did that all on your own.” Harper hopped into the Bentley, puffing out a long breath. What a fucking day.

Sliding close to her, Knox combed his fingers through her hair as the car began to move. “You okay?”

“No, I’m pissed. As if it’s not bad enough that someone wants me dead, I had a lot of sentimental stuff in my apartment from all the places I’ve been. It’s a good chance that most of it is ashes now. I’ll have to buy new furniture and—”

“No, you won’t. You’ll be living with me.”

Her eyebrows flew up. “Is that a fact?”

He curled his hand tight around her jaw. “If you think I’ll let my mate live apart from me, think again.”

“Such charm.” She ignored Tanner’s snicker.

Knox slid his hand from her jaw to her throat. “There’s no sense in us living apart.”

“Hm.”

“And you love the mansion.”

She forced a snort, even though it was totally true. “Where did you get that idea?”

“You relax when you’re there.”

That was also totally true. She felt safe there. Not only because it had top security measures, but because there was an unexpected restful atmosphere to the place that allowed a person to wind down. Meg’s merry nature and fantastic cooking probably helped with that, just like Dan’s innate positivity. Harper couldn’t help but soak it in. Still, she shrugged, trying to seem casual. “You have a nice bathroom.” A very decadent bathroom that contained a large, circular bath made of black granite that had Jacuzzi jets.

Knox went to speak again but stopped as Levi told him, Carla’s crying. I think she expects me to hug her.

Ignore the ‘poor me’ routine.

I am, but there is something she said that you might be interested in hearing. She claims that Kendra drove past her as Carla was making her way here. Now what would Kendra be doing down these parts?

Yes, what would Kendra be doing there? I’ll have Keenan bring her to me.

“Was that Levi? Is Carla being a pain in the ass for him?” Harper asked with a small smile.

Knox looked at her. “Yes, it was Levi.”

His tone was…off. “Something wrong?” His hesitation made her tense. “Don’t lie.”

“Carla told Levi that she past Kendra on her way to your apartment.” Keenan, find Kendra and bring her to the boathouse. The building was on the same grounds as his mansion.

Will do, Keenan replied.

Harper frowned thoughtfully. “Odd that Kendra would be in North Las Vegas. She considers the place and everyone in it to be very much beneath her. But if you’re thinking she had something to do with those snakes, I really doubt it.”

“Why?”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about the things that have been going on, and about just how each of the suspects operate. Kendra has a serious issue with me – there’s no denying that. And she seems to think we’re competing in life somehow. But that’s exactly why I think that if she did something, she’d want me to know for a fact that it was her. She’d want me to know how smart she is, that she won. I don’t think she’d hide behind compulsions and dark practitioners.”

“She’d have to if she wanted to live,” Knox pointed out. “She knows that killing you is a death sentence simply because you’re my anchor.” He wondered how Kendra would take hearing that Harper was now also his mate.

“Maybe. But I wouldn’t put it past Carla to lie about seeing Kendra just to shift the suspicion onto someone else. Don’t overlook that possibility.”

“I won’t,” he assured her. Still, Carla was the least likely suspect to him. Harper was undeniably a threat to Carla’s world, and there was a possibility that the people so curious about Harper would uncover Carla’s connection to her. But there were easier ways for the woman to deal with this than to get rid of Harper. She could instead do damage control and make peace with Harper so that if the truth came out, Carla could act the regretful mother who did love her child. It did appear that, by approaching Harper, it was in fact her plan.

Isla and Kendra had more reason to want Harper dead. Both resented her because both believed she had something that should have been theirs – in Isla’s case, her anchor; in Kendra’s case, her father. Isla was cold and cunning, and she would think nothing of ridding the world of Harper. Kendra was angry, jealous, spiteful, and bitter; that was a bad combination that could drive someone to do cruel things, including kill her half-sister for having everything she didn’t.

One thing was for certain: Whoever was targeting his mate would soon know a pain like no other.