Hope

After Wyck drove off, Harper walked the two blocks to the small office she had rented for the foundation. She met Elizabeth with a smile and hoped her sister wouldn't feel the need to give her the third degree about her meeting with Wyck. She'd been unable to sneak out earlier without telling her where she was going.

The jingle of the bell above the door announced the arrival of their contractor and saved her from an interrogation by her sister. In strode a tall man in a leather jacket and well-worn jeans. His full mouth didn't tip up in a smile when he saw the sisters. Harper saw his jaw tighten. She wondered if he knew them from somewhere and wasn't happy about it. "Conner McCrary," he introduced himself brusquely, his voice deep and authoritative.

Harper stepped forward with a friendly smile, extending her hand. "Nice to meet you, Conner. I'm Harper and this is my sister, Elizabeth."

Conner shook their hands with a grip like a vise. Harper tried not to wince.

"So, you're the conta