Page 39 of Beast

“I’m not sure what to think, but someone is definitely trying to get to Piper.We need to figure it out before that happens.”

“Any ideas on how to do that?”

Just then, my phone lit up.

Piper.What the fuck?

She should be safe with her father and Thor.I glanced wildly at Ace as I hit accept.She didn’t mince words.

“Drake texted me.I have no idea how he got this number, but he wants to talk.What should I do?”

Chapter Ten

Piper

The silence was so long I thought I’d dropped the connection.“Beast?”

“Yeah.I’m here.”

“So what do you want me to do?”My gaze collided with my father’s steely stare.“About Drake?”

“Are you sure it’s Drake?”

“I suppose.It’s not like I can recognize a voice on a text.Why would anyone lie about that?”

He ignored the question.“Text him back.Ask him something only the two of you would know.”

He sounded cold.Distant.Something was up.Those damn butterflies in my stomach flew a little harder and faster.“Why?What’s going on?”

“Not sure yet.Just need to cover the bases.”

My father motioned me to give him the phone.

“Here.Dad wants to talk to you.”I handed the phone over and watched my father’s face.He would have made a great poker player.His expression never changed.He nodded a few times, but his side of the conversation mostly consisted of grunts and one-word answers.

He finally handed the phone back to me, and motioned Thor over to the side of the room.They conferred in muted whispers.

I held the phone back up to my ear.“You figure things out with my father?”

“Yeah.I want you to text Drake back.Make sure it’s him and then give me his number.I’ll take it from there.”

“What do you mean you’ll take it from there?Not that I care about Drake, but I’m not sitting here waiting while you do time for murder.”

Beast chuckled.Actually chuckled, which made me want to smack him.Pity he was so far away.“You won’t have to.I promise whatever goes down, I’m not doing time for it.”

I wasn’t exactly comforted by that.“Then what’s your plan?”

“If that really is Drake, I arrange a meeting and the boys and I discuss the situation with him.Neutral ground.Truce in place.No one gets hurt.”

It sounded simple but I could see a few issues.Mafia and bikers.Neither one was known for their peaceful natures.“Can I be there?”

“Why?”

Trust him to question my motives.“Because I’m kind of fond of you and I want you in one piece.Starting a war with a mafia don-to-be is not a good way to stay safe.”

“I could point out I didn’t start this.”

“I get it, Beast, and that’s what scares me.I’m serious.”I could see my father and Thor both watching me, and at this point I didn’t care.“Either I’m there, or I don’t put you in touch with Drake.”

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