Page 21 of Beast

I felt a flash of anger.Ace was not going to send another one of the Riptide guys with her.

“You mean am I okay being shadowed by the big, bad Biker Beast?”She smiled sweetly, the little brat.She knew what Ace was implying, and she knew neither of us were going to voice it in front of her dad.“Yes, I’m good with that.He makes me feel safe.”

“That’s reassuring.When does this tour start?”her dad asked.

“A week from Friday.Starts in a pub in Atlanta and then it swings down to Florida, and across the bottom states.”She grimaced.“I don’t have the itinerary on me.It was on my phone, the one that got trashed.I can get another copy from my agent when I call to accept the tour.We can arrange names and things then too.Lots of people use a stage name.”

“So it’s a done deal?She’s going on tour, and Beast is tagging along as bodyguard?”Ace straightened up and scribbled something down on the pad on his desk.

“Sounds like it.”Sam stood and turned to Piper.“How about we spend a few days together before you leave on the tour?There’s a spare room in my condo, and we can get you whatever you need in the way of clothes.You can use my credit card.”He glanced over at me.“I take it you didn’t go back to retrieve any of her things once you picked her up?”

I shook my head.“Nope.Lost no time getting as far away from the thugs taking pot shots as we could.Stuff can always be replaced.People, not so much.We picked her up a few things at one of those discount retail stores but only the necessities.It made Wal-Mart look high end.She’ll need a few decent outfits for performing, and some casual clothes for travel.”I glanced over at Ace.“I’m guessing her place got tossed pretty thoroughly when they realized she’d escaped.We could send someone to pick up anything with sentimental value, or we could just leave it until this is settled.As long as the rent is paid, it should be fine.”

“I don’t have anything I need right away.”Piper sighed.“Never even considered paying the rent.”

“Don’t worry, I can take care of that.I’ll have a cleanup crew sent in as well so it’s in decent shape when you return.”Her father patted her arm.

“They might as well pack it up and put it in storage.”She winced.“I’m never going to feel safe there after this.”

“Are you sure?”

Piper nodded.“Positive.It was just a place to stay, not somewhere I really cared about.”

“Okay then.We’ll have your things put in storage for now.Don’t want to forward it here and risk having someone track it.”

She looked up.“They can do that?”

“More than likely.You don’t want to take the chance.”Ace glanced over at me.“Computer shit can be hacked, and people can be bribed.Unless you really insist, I’d say leave it in storage for now.If we cancel the rent, you will just disappear with no forwarding address.”

Her father spoke up.“I’m not much up on women’s clothing but I’m sure one of the girls at the office can take you shopping.You can have a whole new wardrobe to start off your new life.Make up for all those Christmases and birthdays I’ve missed over the years.”

Piper was starting to look shellshocked.“No offence, but this is all going pretty fast.”

I took pity on her.“I have to take the twins shopping to get some stuff for their trip.I could pick you up and take you with them.They’d love to help you pick out a new wardrobe.”

“They barely know me.”

“Any female under thirty years old who’s willing to discuss clothes and makeup?They’ll be thrilled.How about we go find them and ask them?”

“That sounds great if you really don’t mind.”

Her father nodded.“That’s probably a better plan.No chance anyone will see her and connect her with the Bureau if she’s with a couple of teenagers.”

“So we’re good?”Ace broke in.

Piper looked at me, and my heart melted at the trust I could see in her eyes.

“Yeah,” she said.“We’re good.”

“How about we check with the twins before you take off with your father?Make sure they’re onboard and set up a time.”I always tried to respect the twins’ right to have choices.They might not want to share my attention since they were going to be gone for most of the summer.If they didn’t want to include Piper, I’d just take her shopping later.

She nodded.“Okay.”

I took her hand.“Let’s go then.They should still be up in their room.”

Ace stood.“I’m going to have a word with Shadow.I’ll talk to you two later.”

“I’ll grab a beer and go with you.”Her father left the room right behind Ace.

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