Verbatim [h.s]

Thirteen

Harry's POV

I sounded like a complete and utter prick Sunday night with Zuri. I honestly forgot I said she could come to Verbatim, I figured I could just ghost her and she'd get the message. But then I heard her rapping, well if you can call it that, and I came out of my office faster than anything. Seeing her on that stage had my heart beating ten times faster and a sweat broke out. I just wanted to storm up to her, haul her off of that stage and kiss her. I wanted to kiss her so hard and then fuck her on my desk. But I knew I couldn't.

He's coming for her. He's coming for me.

I already had a plan set out. I had to protect her from afar so I got my best and most trustworthy men to follow her. I know, it sounds bad. But I know that with these men around following her, going to her work and staking out of her apartment, I can keep her safe. Safer than she'd ever be in my arms.

The look on her face when I told her to leave and never come back is something I will never forget. Or forgive myself for. It hurt like mad and I've known her for only a few weeks yet this connection and need for her is painful.

The thing is, I've been watching Zuri for longer than since that night at Verbatim. I've always looked out for her and I always will, whether she's by my side or not.

Sunday night before I left the club, I pulled Niall aside and asked him to personally make sure she was okay. I didn't want her to feel alone, and I know Niall likes her enough to at least text her. Although it was hard to ask him, knowing he was the lucky bastard who gets to talk with her and not me but I had to put my selfish feelings aside. This was bigger than my own personal feelings.

On Monday, I stayed in my office all day overlooking the books and trying to get new intel on the North. There have been no more sightings so far but my men are on the lookout for anything unfamiliar. We also have some new business, a partner in Amsterdam who wants us to distribute larger shipments so I plan out a trip to the Netherlands for after Christmas into the New Year.

New Year's Eve in Amsterdam is an experience and the memories alone made me smile, Niall and I have had some messy nights especially in the red light district. God, they love it when we're back. Maybe that's what I'll need to get over Zuri, although my heart already feels taken by this brown-eyed girl, I certainly can get past it with enough pussy. Right?

Around 2 pm on Monday, I got a call from one of my men who were on a stakeout for Zuri whilst she was at work and I stopped what I was doing instantly to answer.

"What is it?" I spit down the phone.

"She just went to a local café for lunch and a strange man bumped into her."

"Is she okay?" I interrupt quickly.

"Yes, yes but he was being suspiciously weird with her so I stepped in."

"And?" C'mon, hurry the fuck up, I thought to myself.

"He said he was her stepdad but she looked really uncomfortable. He called her baby girl, I almost threw up on them both right there."

"Stepdad? I didn't know..."

"I told him to back off and he left, she didn't say a word."

"Did she figure out who you were?" If she did then I'm fucked. I don't know how she'd react to me sending men to basically spy on her. Even if it's for her own good. I'm already in the bad books I don't want to piss her off more and let her get cocky and put herself in danger. You just never know.