Chapter Text
Harvey couldn’t breathe.
Which he knew was absolutely ridiculous. Air moved into his lungs, he could exhale it out. But there was no relief to the rush of oxygen as it engulfed his chest. No ease to the stinging pressure that had been building since he’d dropped Donna off at Robert’s estate.
He paced the floor of the motel room he’d bought hours ago, when the sun had still been hanging in the sky, and didn’t stop until a knock sounded against the door.
“About fucking time,” he practically growled, as he opened the thing to Mike.
“And good evening to you, too,” the younger man pushed past him into the room and Harvey shut the door.
“You brought it?”
Mike nodded, taking off the bag that had been slung around his shoulders, “All the equipment. Should work as long as you know how to use the software…I still can’t believe you lost your gun-”
“I didn’t lose it,” Harvey snapped, snatching the bag up and dumping its contents out onto the bed.
A laptop. Cables. Tracking radar.
The gadgets were familiar and he ignored Mike’s humph of protest as he moved it all to the nearby table and began setting it up.
“Well you wouldn’t need to activate the GPS tracker on it if you didn’t lose it,” Mike mused, sitting down on the edge of the mattress, “Why’d you call me to bring you this instead of Benjamin? He could hook it up so much faster.”
Harvey dismissed his implication, “Because Benjamin has to report to Jessica. You don’t.”
He felt Mike’s gaze boring into the side of his head, “And you don’t want her to know you lost your gun? Since when do you keep things from Jessica?”
“I didn’t lose it,” he repeated, “And what I choose to tell or not to tell anyone is my business. Got it?”
Mike rolled his eyes and fell back against the sheets, throwing his arms under his head, “You’re in a mood.”
“Try me on a day that doesn’t end in ‘y’,” Harvey grumbled, but the screen he was hunched over lit up and with a bit more maneuvering and clicks…he had the tracker set.
His eyes scanned the screen, relaying what was being shown with the layout he knew of Robert’s house.
Her bedroom. Donna was in her bedroom.
He let out a deep sigh and dropped into the chair next to the table.
The rush of oxygen his body finally responded to receiving nearly gave him a head rush from relief.
The move grabbed Mike’s attention, and Harvey caught in his peripheral when the guy looked up and over at the screen.
A second later, he was on his feet and hovering above Harvey’s shoulder, “Why is your gun at Rachel’s house?”
“You mean her father’s house?” Harvey retorted, “Because Donna’s there.”
Mike frowned, “I thought that assignment was over after last night?”
“Then do us both a favor and stop thinking,” Harvey turned, standing as he did so, “You brought my car, right?”
Mike nodded, producing a set of keys from his pocket.
“Yep and I only dented the side a little bit when I…” he trailed off with the look Harvey gave him, “Okay, not funny, got it. Yes, it’s outside.”
Harvey grabbed the keys out of his hand, “Good. I’ll get you a ride back to the city. But first, do one more thing for me-”
“You know, most people start requests with words like ‘please’ and follow them up with ‘thank you’,” Mike smarted, “Have you ever considered trying that?”
“I’ll consider putting a bullet in your head if you don’t shut up and do what I ask.”
Far from deterred by his attitude, Mike just smirked, “And how’re you gonna do that without your gun?”
“You think that’s the only gun I have?”
Mike just laughed and sat down in the chair Harvey had abandoned, “Tell me that's not a euphemism for your penis.”
“You really want to find out?” He shoved the chair, making it and Mike topple over onto the floor.
The kid grunted, “Ow! And no, not particularly. Your personality is all the dick I need from you.”
He climbed back to his feet and righted the chair before choosing to sit on the bed instead. Harvey once more ignored him, having turned back to the screen to ensure that Donna was still in her room.
“Besides,” Mike prodded, “I thought you were only into women.”
Harvey didn’t take his eyes off the blinking dot, “A hole’s a hole. Doesn’t really matter what’s attached to the rest of it.”
Except when he’d had Donna’s mouth around him, he’d very much enjoyed that and all the rest of it. Especially the rest of it.
He recalled how warm and wet she’d felt against his tongue. How brightly her hair had shone in the morning sun, moving around his kitchen. Her alabaster skin, marred with red flush from where his grip had marked her.
“That’s…wow, so you’re-” Mike sputtered over his comment, pulling him back to task.
“Stop talking,” he instructed, “Get out your phone. I need you to text Rachel and get Donna’s number.”
“You don’t have it alrea-”
Harvey shot a glare at him, “Still talking?”
Mike grumbled something incoherent, but finally did as he was told. He moved his eyes back to the screen and watched while he waited.
He was worse than a middle school girl.
Dark had fallen completely now, Mike was long gone, and Harvey sat against the headboard on the shitty motel bed with his phone in his hands.
Texting a woman had never been difficult before. Usually because he was telling them when and where to meet him and what he expected them to be wearing when they did.
But this was different.
Stop being a pussy , he told himself.
He let his fingers slide across the buttons of his burner cell, typing out a short message and hit send before he could change his mind. He held his breath until his phone rang in response, Donna’s number popping up on the screen.
“You’re missing me already, huh?” she said, the moment he answered.
Harvey smirked, “You need to get your eyes checked, Princess. That’s not what my text said.”
“Oh really? ‘ We should have stayed at my place ’? Might as well have said it.”
Harvey adjusted against the pillows, relaxing as he listened to her tease him.
“I was thinking about security,” he insisted and Donna’s soft laugh echoed down the line, “Please. You were thinking about me sucking you off this morning.”
He fought back a groan at the reminder. He couldn’t help but quip back, “And how many times have you thought about you sucking me off this morning?”
“Not as many times as I’ve thought about what you were doing while I did it,” she admitted shamelessly.
The candor was surprising, but appreciated, and he leaned into it, “Hoping for a repeat performance?”
He heard her chuckle again, and some shifting, like she was turning in her sheets.
“Is that really why you reached out?” she asked him, “To proposition sex?”
It wasn’t, but the problem was he didn’t exactly know why he’d needed to message her; to know that she was okay and that the GPS marker he’d been staring at for the last few hours wasn’t just his gun discarded on the nightstand while she went out and about.
“No,” he went for honesty, too, “I just wanted to know that you’d settled in. That you were safe.”
She was quiet for a moment, almost long enough for him to speak again, but her response came before he could.
“Well, I’m in my own bed tonight. Alone. And my door is locked so I won’t wake up with strange men in my room,” the reminder of his last visit made him smirk, “I have your gun under the pillow next to me and Robert’s security is around the house. I don’t think I can get much safer.”
The knowledge of how secure she was, even without him there, helped the last bit of tension ease from Harvey’s shoulders.
“Good,” he said, “You have my number now, too. If anything happens, anything at all, you call me.”
She hummed, “I’ll think about it.”
“Donna,” he growled, and heard her breath hitch.
“Yes, Harvey?”
He wasn’t playing around. “You better fucking call.”
More silence, though he swore he could hear her breathe if he focused hard enough. She sighed, and he definitely heard that.
“Okay, I’ll call,” she told him, “But if someone breaks in and tries to murder me, I’m not sure what you expect to do about it from Manhattan.”
He wasn’t in Manhattan. He was just a few miles east of Robert’s estate because the thought of being too far away from her made it impossible for him to leave, but he wasn’t quite sure he should admit as much to her.
“You let me worry about that, Princess,” was all he said, “But don’t worry. Anyone who tries to hurt you won’t live to regret it. I’ll make sure of that.”
The fact that she didn’t pop off with some taunt or insistence that she could handle herself meant she understood how serious he was. Harvey liked that. He liked her believing him when he told her she was untouchable within his care.
“My knight in pitch black armor,” she mused after another beat, “What every Princess needs.”
A genuine laugh escaped him at that, “And here I expected you to keep fighting the allegations of your royal status.”
He could almost feel her eye-roll through the phone, “Well, if I’m gonna be locked away in the castle, I might as well play the part.”
“Must be horrid. A lavish estate, all the luxury and security you could hope for. I pity you for your plight, Princess, I really do.”
“Oh go to hell,” she laughed and he smiled, sinking back onto the mattress with his phone still tucked by his ear.
“Been there for years,” he admitted, the words pouring without thought.
Donna huffed over the line, “If the next thing out of your mouth is an angel reference, I’m hanging up.”
Harvey chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through him at their exchange.
“You wouldn’t dare,” he taunted, his voice low, “Because you might not admit it, but you wanted to talk to me as much as I wanted to talk to you.”
“Did I?” she asked, the warmth of her voice wrapping around him better than any blanket could have.
Coy didn’t suit her, “You called me, remember?”
“Yeah, well, don’t let it inflate your ego too much,” she shot back, “I had to make sure it was you that was texting me.”
The thought that it might have been someone else sent an irrational jolt of annoyance through him.
“Do strange men often send you anonymous texts about staying in their homes?”
“None that make the offer half as intriguing,” he could hear the smile in her voice, though it was starting to drift, like she was getting sleepy.
The idea of her, safe and warm and curled up in bed was heartening.
“Some other time,” he said, though whether or not it was a real offer was uncertain.
This week would go by quickly. He would have no excuse to make her safety a priority, let alone have her come to his apartment. Their reality hung over his head like a guillotine and if he wasn’t too keen to try and understand why.
He just knew that he wouldn’t be able to settle until he had guaranteed her safety, no matter what Jessica had told him.
Minutes passed, the conversation fading to comfortable silence, and the rhythmic sound of Donna’s breathing felt like a lullaby, steady and soothing. Harvey felt his eyelids grow heavy, the exhaustion of the last few days catching up with him.
“Harvey?” Donna mumbled after a moment.
His lids fluttered open, taking in the dingy room around him, casted with dim illumination from the lone lamp beside the bed.
“Still here,” he assured her.
He heard her hum again, this time the sound was content, “I’m getting sleepy.”
“I know,” he didn’t take the bait to let the conversation end. He didn’t like the thought of the connection between them, however flimsy, being cut.
“Let’s just…” he swallowed, searching for the right words, “Can we stay like this for a while?”
“Okay,” Donna agreed, her voice a gentle whisper, all sleepy and sweet.
Harvey let his eyes close again and felt sleep come for him almost immediately, despite how hard he fought it, just to listen to her calming breaths for a while longer.
With his phone still slotted against his ear, he drifted, and as he did, it felt as if the distance between him and Donna vanished. For the second night in a row, he didn’t feel as if he were completely alone and the concept should have been as disturbing as it was comforting. But he didn’t mind. Not when he knew she was right there, even if she wasn’t there .
Harvey fell into a hard sleep, with Donna’s shallow exhales turning slow and deep in his ears, and the memory of her body folded around his own lingered like the ghost of a dream.
Donna wasn’t surprised when Samatha started grilling her over breakfast. If she was being honest, she’d avoided the woman yesterday so that this very conversation could be postponed, but she supposed the inevitable was bound to happen.
“Just tell me you didn’t fuck him,” Sam demanded and Donna fought not to sputter out the coffee she’d just taken a drink of.
It was just the two of them at the table, thank god, as Rachel had left earlier for school and Robert had stayed in the city with his wife, Laura, last night.
“Sam-”
“You said it was just a job,” Samantha pressed on, “And that you can’t stand that mother fucker, but yesterday he drops you off and the two of you look like you wanted to tear each others clothes off! So what happened? Come clean, Donna, because if he hurt you-”
“Oh my god, Sam,” Donna laughed, setting her coffee down, “Do I look hurt to you? No.”
When the blonde just stared at her pointedly, Donna rolled her eyes, “I didn’t sleep with Harvey.”
Sam’s gaze narrowed, “Don’t think I haven’t known you long enough to know what your walk of shame looks like, Missy. You can’t tell me nothing happened-”
“I never said nothing happened,” she pointed out, “Just that we didn’t fuck. Now can I eat my toast in peace, please?”
Sam made a low noise, sitting back in her chair, “You said you don’t get involved with men that you work with.”
Donna pursed her lips, fighting a smirk, “Well…technically we’re not working together anymore, so-”
“Donna,” Sam groaned, “You’re using semantics to bend the rules.”
“Hey, they’re my rules,” she insisted, “I can bend them if I want to.”
Sam shook her head, “I told you he was charming. I told you that you had to be careful, because you won’t be able to handle-”
“Samantha,” Donna turned, meeting her gaze directly, “Stop. Okay?”
It was true, Harvey had pissed her off that first day when he’d given her a ride and drew blood by nipping her ear…but whatever Sam thought she knew about the man, what Donna thought she’d knew…wasn’t the whole picture.
The past few days had made that clear. Because charmed wasn’t the way Harvey made her feel. It wasn’t just the flirting or the pull that existed between them.
Flashes of his haunted face and a broken mirror flitted across her mind. The way he’d absolutely clung to her in sleep, had tethered his gun to her thigh like the weapon was an extension of himself and needed to be connected to her.
The cool metal pressed against her leg now, where the knee length dress she wore covered the holster from sight.
Sam may have reason for her concerns, but she was wrong about Harvey, and Donna was a grown ass woman, capable of deciding what she could or couldn’t handle.
Sam’s mouth opened to argue or to debate another point, but a knock hit the frame of the entry arch and one of Robert’s men leaned into the room.
“Ms. Paulsen,” he addressed her, “Mr. Specter is here for you.”
Her heart skipped a beat at the news, though she’d argue that it might have also been the way Sam shot up from her seat after it was delivered.
“Were you expecting him?” she demanded.
Donna pushed her plate back, “No, but-”
Samantha was already making her way across the room, “Then I’m going to find out why he’s here!”
“Sam!” Donna groaned, standing from her chair.
So much for finishing breakfast in peace.
Harvey had waited as long as he could to show up at Robert’s estate, and half of that was spent charging his phone that had died at some point in the night. He was actually pretty proud of his restraint, and of the fact that he’d found the perfect way to keep Donna close while still following Jessica’s order.
He stood at the base of the grand staircase, expecting the return of the guard soon to tell him Donna would be right down. Instead, a slightly red face Samantha Wheeler appeared, looking none too happy to see him.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded, “The deal closed last night. Your expertise is no longer needed.”
“Samatha,” he greeted flatly, not bothering to hide his disdain, “I’d say it’s my pleasure, but we both know that’s a lie.”
She sneered at him, “We also both know you have no business being here-”
“Take that up with your boss,” he snapped, and Donna appeared behind her, capturing his attention.
Her expression of annoyance bled away when her eyes met his and his gaze roamed over her body. She wore a maroon dress today that flattered her figure, showed off her lifted breasts and complimented her lightly curled hair.
“I’m taking it up with you,” Samantha spat, “Because I don’t think-”
“ Sam ,” Donna’s voice was hard, sharp.
The other woman’s jaw snapped shut, and she turned to pin Donna with a glare that Harvey would have knocked off her face with his fist, if she were a man.
“Donna, I told you-”
“I told you ,” Donna said with a seething tone that left no room for argument, “Stop. Let me handle this.”
The deliberation was clear on Samatha’s face, but she eventually conceded with a huff, turning that glare on Harvey.
“I swear to god, if anything happens to her-”
“ Sam ,” Donna pleaded, putting a hand on her shoulder. It was half reassurance, half shrug, and Samantha took the hint.
“Watch yourself,” she gave a final warning, and stormed off as quickly as she’d come, leaving him staring and Donna shaking her head.
“Sorry about that,” Donna said after a moment, “Seems like you’re not the only one who thinks I need extra protection.”
Harvey smirked, taking a step closer to her. The scent of her invaded his nose, something sweet, like jasmine or fruit and he resisted the urge to pull her even closer so he could breathe it in off her skin.
“You didn’t tell her you’re strapped?”
Donna shook her head, “No point. You’re taking the gun back today, so-”
“I’m not.”
“You should,” she insisted, “I told you I didn’t need it. Nothing happened last night.”
He thought about their conversation on the phone, about the way Donna had teased and flirted with him.
He reached out, hands gripping her hips and she jolted with surprise but didn’t stop him. His hands slid down until he felt it.
On her left thigh, she’d refastened his holster and the distinct shape of his weapon was easy to palm.
“You are strapped,” he said smugly and Donna rolled her eyes, “No, I’m just that happy to see you.”
He grinned, releasing the weapon and drifting his palms back up to her waist. He closed more of the distance between them, aware that a security detail stood not far away at the door.
He leaned his head down, brushing his lips over her ear, “Keep talking like that and I may have to find another use for that gun.”
He felt her shiver, but her voice was steady when she spoke, pulling away slightly as she did so.
“You put a weapon near my pussy and you better pull the trigger, because if not, I’m using it on you.”
“Your pussy or the gun?” he taunted.
Donna hit his chest and he laughed.
“Your threats of violence are fascinating,” he told her, “But that’s actually not why I’m here.”
She arched a brow, leaning away from his embrace so that she could hold his gaze, “What do you got?”
“A job offer,” he said, “Why don’t you go get dressed. I’ll explain in the car.”
Her other brow joined the first, shooting up in surprise, “And where exactly are we going?”
“To the city. You’ll need an outfit.”
“For this job?” she clarified, tone skeptical.
He nodded, releasing her and letting the easy banter slip into a more serious tone, “An assignment I have from Jessica. I’ll give you all the details once we’re alone.”
Donna crooked her head as she stared at him, but he could tell from her features that her interest was piqued, “And what if I say no?”
“Then I’ll bring you back to the castle,” he promised, and a smile finally broke on her lips.
“Okay,” she said, “Just let me grab my bag.”
She turned and Harvey let out a deep breath. Jessica was probably going to kill him for this if she found out…but goddamn, it would probably be worth it.