Page 125 of Bet On Me, Daddy

“I didn’t even know his name was Killian until right this second! He introduced himself as Master O the first time we met and nobody ever said otherwise. What else have you people been keeping from me?”

Grinning, Ice raised his whiskey glass to his lips. “Did Beckett ever tell you about the bet?”

Ruby turned, her eyes narrowing as her gaze locked on his face. “What bet?”

It took more effort than he cared to admit not to squirm in his seat. “I wouldn’t say it was abet, exactly. More like… a gentleman’s agreement.”

“What kind of agreement, Beckett?” she asked, her voice taking on a dangerous tone.

“Let me start by pointing out that you also had a bet going, which is what prompted ours.”

For the second time that evening, she looked completely and utterly shocked. “Youknewabout that?”

“I did. Well, Holden did. Apparently our giant friend over there has spies all around the club and a little birdie told him about the bet you’d made that you could out-brat me. So he asked me to prove you wrong.”

“So our first scene together? Was that just an act?”

It was the hurt radiating off her that had him leaning in to press a kiss to her pouty lips. “Not a single second of it, baby. I promise. I would have stuck it out whether Holden had asked me to or not. I’m pretty sure I was already halfway in love with you before I ever touched you.”

“Hmmph. Well, I think I should be provided some kind of compensation for this bet. Since it was my ass on the line, literally, the entire time.”

“Drumming lessons from Silver aren’t enough?” he asked, forcing himself to hold back a laugh when she blushed.

“Okay, we need to find this spy and turn them to our side,” she grumbled.

From the end of the table, Holden let out a snort of laughter. “Never gonna happen. Trust me.”

“For what it’s worth, I feel I owe Frankie a debt of gratitude. I’m not sure you would have put up with me long enough for me to make you fall in love with me if it hadn’t been for your bet with her.”

“Speaking of Frankie,” Lottie interjected, her expression turning concerned. “Has anyone heard from her? She hasn’t texted me or anything in two days and I’m starting to worry.”

Holden rose from his seat as everyone around the table shook their heads. “Where was the last place you know for sure she was?” he asked, tapping furiously on his phone.

“Um, school, I think. She had a big test a couple days ago, and then she just… poofed. I mean, it’s not like she’smissingbecause her parents would have called me looking for her, but I’m really worried she’s not texting me. I was actually planning to swing by her dorm tomorrow if I still hadn’t heard from her.”

“I’d be grateful.” Holden’s voice was grim. “In the meantime, I have my own ways of tracking down wayward little girls. I’ll see you all around.”

“Oh, Lottie, honey. Don’t cry.” Jumping up from her seat, Ivy raced around the table to wrap her arms around Lottie’s shoulders.

“I’m not. It’s just… the last time she did this she was in a really bad place and I’m trying not to freak out.”

Ruby reached across the table to grip Lottie’s hand as everyone crowded around her in comfort and solidarity. “If anyone can find her, it’s Holden. And you know if she’s in trouble, he’ll take care of her. Whether she wants him to be or not, that man is her Daddy.”

Because he knew all too well how that felt, Beckett made a mental note to contact Holden in the morning and check in.

Their time together didn’t last much longer after that. Braden bundled Lottie up and took her home, and it was a testament to how worried she must have been that she didn’tbother to argue. After that, nobody really seemed to be in the mood for a scene, so they all went their separate ways.

Hand in hand, Beckett and Ruby made their way out to his car. But instead of opening the door for her, he pinned her to the side of the vehicle, sliding his hands under her jacket as he lowered his head to capture her lips in a long, slow kiss.

“Mmm. Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?” Ruby asked, her expression dreamy when he lifted his head.

She no longer looked worried or stressed, which had been his actual aim. But she wouldn’t appreciate knowing that, so he shrugged. “You said you thought you deserved some compensation for being a part of my bet with Holden. Consider yourself compensated.”

“Oh, really? You think that takes care of your debt?”

“Did you have another form of payment in mind?”

“Yeah.” Grinning, she looped her arms around his neck. “I was thinking more along the lines of forever.”

---