Page 112 of Archer

Alexis made a sound that was equal parts concern and affection. “Just be safe.”

I disconnected and found Sloane watching nearby. Her expression said she’d heard most of that.

“She sounds like one of the good ones,” Sloane said.

“She really is.”

“All right.” Colton’s voice carried through the space. “I’ve set up channels to monitor all of Webb’s known accounts and all activity on your social media. I’ll keep an eye on that and let you know if I see anything worth reporting. Otherwise, I think it’s safe to assume that if you’re doing something this big and special, there’s no way he’ll miss it.”

I could only hope.

Archer

By noon, I’d reviewed the plan four times, satellite footage included. I’d mapped every boat slip within visual range and identified positions where Knox or Colton could watch without being visible from the water.

I’d done all of it to avoid thinking about Harper’s misinterpretation of my frustration last night.

She’d taken her coffee and her guitar to her room after Maggie and Nash had left, saying she wanted to work on the song she’d soon be presenting. The house felt different without her near. Too quiet. Too empty despite Knox and Sloane’s presence.

Knox settled onto the couch across from me. He didn’t say anything for a while, which was how I knew he was about to complain.

“You need to fix it.”

“I know.”

“Apologize.”

“I did.” I set down my phone. “I would never hurt her.”

Knox studied me. “Did she believe you?”

“I hope so.”

He pointed toward the hallway. “Tell her again.”

I looked toward the ceiling, as if I could see the guest room beyond. The soft sound of her guitar drifted through the floor. I hated the thought that one day soon, I wouldn’t hear that sound anymore.

If things felt this wrong with her only a few rooms away, what would be my life be like without her in it?

A few chords rose into the air, strummed slow and deliberate. Then, a long pause. Then the chords again. She was working something out. I knew that now, because we’d spent so much time together.

I hadn’t known Harper long, but my heart said she was the only woman I wanted to know for the rest of my life.

I imagined climbing the steps to her door. Knocking. Interrupting. And begging her forgiveness. I could promise never to say the wrong thing again, but that would be like saying I wouldn’t frown anymore.

I could, however, work very hard to choose my words. I hadn’t been held accountable for that in a very long time. My family had to love me, and Marines were hard to offend. I’d relied on their grace more often than I thought before I spoke.

“I’ll give her the afternoon to process all of this,” I said. “The music helps her think, and what she’s doing is a huge deal. Not just the mess with Webb, but presenting an acoustic version of a song she barely finished writing, for the world to hear—” I shook my head. “It’s a lot.”

Knox nodded. “Tonight, then.”

“Yeah. Tonight.”

Time passed slowly as Knox and I sat in on a conference call with Colton and Nash to brainstorm, then troubleshoot all possible problems with Harper’s pop-up performance. Nash worried about the amount of traffic and chaos the announcement would bring to the little town. With luck, he’d pull some strings and coordinate other local law enforcement departments to borrow extra officers. Colton worried about keeping the livestream from crashing and his ability to monitor the undoubtedly massive amount of commentary on his own.

I only worried about Harper’s safety.

And from the look on their faces, Knox and Sloane were more worried about me than the plan.