Page 117 of Safe and Sound

“Yeah, pizza!” Piper exclaimed as she danced around the kitchen.

“Fine,” I grumbled.

“Then let’s go,” Dare said, holding out his hand to Piper.

As she happily slid her hand into his, I mumbled under my breath, “Traitor.”

Chapter Thirty: Dare

When we got outside on the porch, I texted Thomas to bring the SUV over. As he pulled into the driveway, Piper peered curiously up at me. “Doncha know how to drive?”

Chuckling, I replied, “Aye, I do. But I like to have someone do it for me.”

“Why?”

“Because I'm a businessman, and sometimes I have to work while someone drives the car.”

“Is you wowkin’ now?”

“No.”

“Then why’s you not drivin’?”

Ava covered her mouth to hide her laughter. I could tell she was enjoying Piper interrogating the hell out of me. “I want Thomas to drive so I can talk to you.”

“But Mommy talks to me when she dwives.”

“Well, that’s because your mommy is a superstar, and I’m not.”

Ava rolled her eyes. “Very funny. It might be better if we take my SUV.”

“Why?”

“I don’t suppose you have a car seat in there, do you?”

“But she’s three,” I protested.

“She still needs a car seat.”

“Fuck,” I muttered.

“Mommy, he says bad wods,” Piper whispered not so quietly.

Ava grinned. “I know, honey. Dare can be a bad boy.”

With a grunt, I stared past her to Thomas. “Change of plans. You’ll drive Ava’s SUV.”

“But I’m not used to it,” Thomas argued.

“So?”

He eyed Piper before speaking. “I’ll be at a disadvantage if there’s a security threat.”

“I doubt anyone is lying in wait at the Bowlerama to execute a hit on me.”

“We can never be too careful.”

“It’s fine.”