“And do you like her?”
“I don’t know her that well, but yeah, she seems nice. The important thing is that Tag likes her—and he does. They seem good together.”
I set the juice and her plate of frosted pastry down for her and go back to get my coffee. “I’ll call Finn and have him run to the grocery store for the essentials. Is there anything you want him to grab specifically?”
She swallows a sip of juice and pegs me with a look. “I can’t stay here, Sean. Da probably has Billy out there searching the streets for me. And when he realizes I crossed the bridge, all hell will break loose.”
I scoff. “I can handle Billy Gravely. Your father’s enforcer is all brute and no brains. He doesn’t scare me.”
“Well, he scaresme.” It’s obvious by her expression that even the mention of Gravely terrifies her.
Why?“Did Gravely have something to do with you ending up like this?”
She frowns. “You said you’d stop asking questions, but no, it wasn’t Billy.”
“Sorry, I really am just trying to help.”
“That’s why I need to go. I need to get south of the river before this blows up and is worse for everyone than it already is.”
I take a sip of my coffee and let the bitter bliss take hold. “All right. Let’s say you walk out that door. Where do you go from here? Home?”
There’s no mistaking the tightening of her expression. “That’s where Ishouldgo.”
“But?”
“But nothing. My family is likely worried sick.”
“You could call them.”
“I can’t. My phone got dunked. I’ll need to let it dry out before I phone anyone.” She eyes up the pantry cupboard. “Do you have a bag of rice?”
“No idea, but we can look.” I set my coffee down and find a box of minute rice. Ripping the top open, I point to her ruined, red velvet clutch on the table. “Is your phone in there?”
She finishes her second Pop-Tart and rolls her eyes. “Like you don’t already know that.”
“How would I know that?”
“I’m sure the moment I was occupied with the doc last night, you went through my purse.”
I consider lying, but she was raised in the same environment as I was and would smell the bullshit. “Fine. I did. So, do you want me to shove it in here?”
She chokes and her cheeks flame the cutest shade of pink. “I’m sorry, what? What are you offering to shove in where?”
My brain fritzes out for a beat.
Is she flirting with me, or does she think I’m flirting with her? Damn it, she’s way too young and innocent for me to hang around.
Too cute too.
I cough to clear my throat and will my stiffening cock to stand the fuck down. “Your phone, Piper. We were talking about your phone. Should we put it into the box of rice to dry out?”
She blinks and there’s a flash of disappointment in her gaze. “Oh, aye. Right. That would be grand.”
What was that disappointment about?
I’m Sean-fucking-Quinn. I’m the enemy. A ruffian. An MC president and killer. Why the fuck is she biting her bottom lip and batting her lashes as if I’m playing the part in her bad-boy fantasy?
“Piper, you understand we live dangerous lives on opposite sides, don’t you?”