Page 28 of Beast

Beast glanced around.“Doesn’t sound that bad.A bit of paint wouldn’t hurt.”

She grimaced.“He wants to paint it pink and purple.”

Beast snorted.“Sounds like Henry.Probably just said that to get you riled up.You know what he’s like.”

Ruth sighed.“Yeah.I suggested a nice green, or blue even.He said he’d take it under consideration.”She looked pointedly at our joined hands.“Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”

Beast nodded at me.“This is Piper.She’s the daughter of a friend.Piper, meet Ruth.She and her hubby Henry were snipers back in the day.Saved my ass a time or two.”

* * *

Beast

I liked that Piper didn’t bat an eye at finding out the motherly-looking Ruth was a retired sniper.

“Nice to meet you.”Piper smiled warmly.

“And you.”

A sound behind us had me automatically turning to face the door, pushing Piper behind me and reaching for my gun.

“Speak of the devil.Here’s the color blind idiot now.”Ruth gave me an understanding look.“You shouldn’t have your back to the door if you’re that jumpy.Someone could get hurt.”

I inclined my head in acknowledgment.“Yeah.Sorry about that.A little touchy today.”I didn’t offer an explanation.They’d just assume it was PTSD kicking in, like it did for a lot of the vets who’d seen action.“Hey, Henry.I hear you’re thinking of painting the place.”

“Nice of you to drop by, Beast.I see you found someone willing to overlook your many faults.At least for a day or two.”

I gave Piper’s hand a squeeze.“Her name’s Piper, and she adores me.”

Henry gave her a sympathetic look.“You obviously don’t know him very well.If he’s holding you hostage, just give me a sign and I’ll take him out for you.”

Piper laughed.“Thanks for the offer, but so far I’m enjoying myself.”

Ruth shook her head, looking from Henry to me.“A person would think you two weren’t friends.”

Henry grinned.“We don’t care what a person thinks, do we, Beast?”

I shook my head.“Nope.”

“Find yourself a seat, and I’ll rustle you up some grub.”Ruth turned and headed to the kitchen.

I led Piper past a few of the occupied tables, nodding to the bikers I recognized.I chose a booth at the back of the diner, right beside the emergency exit.Always a good idea to have an escape route handy, even if you didn’t think you needed it.

Henry followed us with a couple of glasses of water.“Hot out there today.You could probably use a drink,” he said by way of explanation.“Ruth has your burgers on the grill.”

Piper looked confused.“We didn’t order yet.”

“Not that kind of place.Ruth decides what she thinks you need, and she’s never wrong.”

“She doesn’t know me,” Piper pointed out.

“You’re with this big lug here, so that tells her all she needs to know.”

I patted Piper’s knee under the table.“Never said my friends were normal.”

Henry hooted with laughter.“Biggest frickin’ understatement of the decade!”He turned and headed back to the front of the diner.

“You still okay?”I moved a ketchup bottle to the side of the table.“I know they can be a bit strange, but Henry and Ruth are some of the best people on the fucking planet.”

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