Page 40 of Beast

“You know I can find him on my own if you do that.”

“Yes, but it would take you longer.Like long enough for you to cool off and behave.”

“This is me behaving.I want you safe, Piper.No way in hell am I okay with you being within ten miles of a guy who wants you dead.”

We were both silent, and I mulled over my options.I didn’t want to be left in the dark, but I had to give Beast credit for honesty.He was just trying to protect me, the same way I was trying to protect him.

I looked up as my father crossed the room and put a hand on my shoulder.He took the phone from my hand and put it on speaker.“What if I bring a couple of snipers with me and stay with Piper, back from the action?They’re damn good.They could take a person out before they get anywhere near her.”

“I suppose that could work.”Beast did not sound happy.“If things go south, you promise to get her the fuck out of there ASAP?I don’t care if you have to hog-tie her to do it.Promise?”

“Promise.”My father handed me back the phone with a wry smile.“You really picked a charmer.Hog-tied?”

Ignoring Thor’s snicker, I took the phone.“Now what?”

“Verify it’s Drake.What’s something only he would know?”

I thought about it.“The first night we were together, it didn’t go so well.I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have bragged about that to anyone.”

“How do you mean didn’t go so well?”

I grinned, knowing this would make Beast’s day.“He was drunk.He couldn’t get it up.”

That earned me a chuckle.“Go for it.”

I pulled up the message app and sent Drake a text, explaining I needed to make sure it was really him by asking something only he would know.

Sorry, but this is the only thing I could think of.How many times did we have sex that first night you slept over at my place?

The answer came back immediately.None, and you know why.Good enough?

Yeah.I’m going to let my new guy set up the meet, okay?

The biker guy?

That’s the one.

I cut the conversation off and called Beast back.“Yeah, it’s him.He’s expecting your call.I just texted you the number.Got it?”

“Got it.I’ll be back in touch when I have the meet set up.”He paused.“Piper?”

“Yeah?”

“I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”He broke the connection before I could reply.

Thor stalked over to me, his expression serious.He looked straight into my eyes.“He’s serious, you know.I haven’t seen Beast this worked up about anyone except the twins since his POS wife walked out on him.Please don’t do anything to get him hurt.Or worse.”

I glanced at my father standing beside me, and he nodded solemnly.

I was touched.These guys cared about each other a whole lot more than some families I’d met.They might not be blood, but they were family in way that made me feel special to be included in their tight-knit circle.

“I promise.”I took a deep breath and tried to calm the butterflies that were still swirling around in my belly.“Now what?’

“Now we wait.”My father walked over to the kitchen area and picked an apple out of the basket of fruit one of the prospects had dropped off.“The hardest part of any operation.”

“You think it will be today?”I asked.

Thor shook his head.“Not likely.It’s already getting late.There’s set-up needs to be done.”

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