Shared Interest

24: Parkers POV

"Colton I swear to god if you don't start chewing with your mouth closed I'm going to push you out of the moving car." I grumbled giving him a side eyed glare

For being related to Harper he sure was nothing like her from what I could tell. Maybe they shared an ability to annoy me, sure that was obvious, but he wasn't my type so my tolerance for it was much lower comparatively.

He smiled nervously, "Sorry my bad."

"It's all good I'm just going mad worrying about your sister." I stated with a sigh, "She really had a terrible habit of impulsively running off."

He smirked and nodded, "She sure does, I remember when we were kids our mom pissed her off real bad this one time because she wouldn't let Harper stay out past dark to play hide and seek. Harper packed a bag with a blanket and two oatmeal cream pie cookies and" he did air quotes "ran away. She made it a block before freaking out and coming home."

I laughed and felt a small fraction of the tension in my chest dissipate "Yeah that sounds on brand for her."

He grinned "She sure is a handful."

Maybe they had more shared characteristics than I had originally given him credit for. We finally arrived in the city a short while later, my maps directly us to the south parking lot of discovery park. I unplugged my phone and exited the vehicle in one swift move before following the gps tracker down the left path. Night was settling over us and I hated the idea of her out here cold and alone despite how infuriated I was by her running away yet again. Colton followed closely after me, our steps quick in succession. I could see the radar tower in the not so far distance, the little red dot representing Harper now closer than ever.

"She's not too much further." I mumbled out as we pressed on.

As I glanced at the screen I caught a glimpse of the gawdy pink unicorn shirt I had put on this morning when Harper was not in eminent life threatening danger and rolled my eyes. Once to the tower we cut through the grass, now only about ten yards from the tree line.

"Harper it's Parker!" I yelled out

"And Colton!" He added

I turned and glared at him for unnecessary add on before hearing the most exquisite sound.

"I'm here!" She exclaimed, the sound of breaking twigs following

I ran toward the woods as she ran out, my eyes scanning over every inch of her to evaluate if she had sustained any injuries escaping. Seeing none, I enveloped her into the tightest hug my tired body could muster up. I felt every ounce of fear wash away in that moment, my body relaxing in her arms and tears threatening to spill over. My arms were locked around her frame, the smell of the supply run shampoo in her hair.

She pulled back slightly, her arms still wrapped around my neck "How did you find me?"

"Tracker on your phone." Colton grinned

I tensed as Harper looked back to me "But I don't have my phone."

Fuck.

"It's not important, let's focus on getting the hell out of here." I rambled out, releasing her before turning to go

I didn't hear her following but she did speak sternly "No I think I'd like an explanation first."

I turned and saw her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes narrowed on me.

Would she understand if I told her the truth? I guess I don't really have many options.

"I put a tracker uh, in you." I mumbled out in barely a whisper, my hands sliding into my pants pockets

She bit her lips and then shook her head "You what?"

"I uh, put a tracker in you." I repeated back to her

"In my body? You put a tracker in my body without telling me?" She reiterated

I nodded slowly, "Yeah well after what happened when Sam kidnapped you I was just really scared of ever having that happen again and-"

"So when did you," she paused rolling her eyes "put a tracker in me?"

Fuck again.

"When you were knocked out after running away and kissing Aria." I stated, looking in her eyes for a reaction

I certainly got one, but not the one I was hoping for.

Her eyes darkened, "So it was when you feared you couldn't control me?"

"No it wasn't like that, I-" She cut me off

"Spare me." She grumbled before stomping off past me headed back towards the main path

"Harper wait!" I called out running to catch up with her

She glared at me when I did, "Fuck off Parker."

"I'm sorry okay I shouldn't have done that without your permission."

"Exactly."

"What can I do?"

"I think you've done enough."

We continued at a brisk pace back in the direction of the car. I knew every fiber of her being must have wanted to run once again but the situation wouldn't allow it. She was clearly exhausted, scared, and now pissed.

"I can't believe you." She grumbled

I bit my lip and let out a sigh "I know it was fucked up and I'm sorry."

"You say that an awful lot."

"I fuck up an awful lot."

"Finally something we agree on."

"I can take it out." I offered

She let out a humorous breathy laugh through her nose, "Yeah that'll fix everything. Where even is the fucking thing."

She stopped and frantically started feeling her neck and then her arms.

"It's behind your left ear." I stated matter of factly as I reached and tried to take her hands in mine

She pulled them from my grasp and growled "Don't fucking touch me right now. You got enough of that in when I was unconscious. You know the crazy part? When I told you they knocked me out you acted so angry when it was as per your fucking instructions!"

"I wasn't there it was one of my guys. They were instructed to use chloroform not brute force." I clarified looking her dead in the eyes that she rolled

"Oh that makes it soooo much better." She threw her hands in the air for effect before heading for the car once more

I stood frozen looking after her as Colton passed by me.

"And to think I was just started to like you." He shook his head and let out an irritated huff not bothering to slow his pace

I let out a sigh and headed after them. It was wrong, that I could admit, but it was also necessary. Harper was just some college kid when we met and I had gotten her in more bad situations than I could count. The only way I could guarantee her safety or at least her rescue every time a new fucked up situation arose was either to lock her up and throw away the key or this. Considering what had happened the first time I had tried option one, that left option two. Maybe I had a fucked view of the world and maybe I should've talked to her about but I genuinely just wanted to protect her right? I mean sure I was jealous but had I really let that be the reason for the tracker? Okay maybe it was the kicker that made me actually execute the plan but still, it was necessary right?