Page 42 of Beast

Thor grinned.“Nope.”

Ace appeared in the doorway.“Need to talk to you.My office.”He nodded at Piper.“Welcome back.”

“Thanks.”Piper tilted her head.“Can I come, or is this a Riptide only kind of meeting?”

Ace looked from me to her.“This is about you, so you’re welcome.”He pivoted and headed down the hallway.

“Should I worry?”Piper asked.

“No.”I shook my head.“Likely just finalizing plans for tomorrow’s meeting.”

She looked doubtful, but I took her hand and we followed Ace to his office.Ace took a seat behind his desk, and I sat on one of the chairs facing it, pulling Piper down onto my lap.

Ace steepled his fingers.“Walk me through the plan.”

“First, Drake is now the don.His father officially passed the torch a couple of weeks ago, which is probably when this whole mess started.We haven’t figured out why, but the theory is Piper knows something even if she’s not aware of it, and that makes her a liability.They’ve agreed to a meeting at the old gazebo on the cypress trail.It’s out in the open, so no cover for any kind of surprise attack by either side.Not that I expect one.Drake’s group has a reputation for sticking to their word.Rattler and Hawke scouted the area yesterday just to make sure it was viable.They didn’t see any issue.Piper and some of the Bureau guys will be holding back at the edge of the clearing.If things go south, they have clearance to protect Piper, her father, and whoever else they can cover on our side with lethal force.Meet time is noon, so neither side will be blinded by the sun in their face.Each side brings a maximum of four people, including the primary.We’re going in from the east.Drake’s group will come in from the parking lot side on the west.”

Ace narrowed his eyes.“Who’s on your team?”

“Rattler, Deuce, Thor, and me.”

“Does this Drake fucker know Piper will be there?”

“Yeah.He agreed to it.As long she and whoever’s guarding her are back by the tree line, they’re not counted as part of the team.”

“Sounds like you have it all under control, then.”Ace looked at Piper.“You okay with this?”

She frowned.“I need for this to be over.I feel guilty that people are in danger because of me.”

“Not your fault.”A faint smile curved the corner of his mouth.“Great chance for us to put your father in our debt.Who knows when a favor from the Bureau might come in handy.”

I felt Piper stiffen.“We done here?”I asked.

Ace nodded, his expression softening.“Yeah.Good luck with the meet.Hopefully you can get this thing settled without any more bloodshed.”

“Any more?”Piper’s brows furrowed.

“Figure of speech.”I threw Ace a quelling look from behind Piper.I never told her how the interrogation had ended.

Ace stood up, signaling the meeting was over.“Anything changes, let me know.”

“I will.Thanks, Prez.”I nudged Piper off my lap and got to my feet.Reaching for her hand, I headed for the door.She looked up at me and caught her bottom lip between her teeth.Her gaze dropped to my crotch.

My cock jumped in response.Looked like she was on board for a quickie before the promised nap.Good way to settle the nerves.

Chapter Eleven

Piper

I looked down on the meeting place from my assigned spot on the perimeter of the clearing.From a strategic point, it was likely a good choice.I could see everything from where I stood to the far side of the clearing, including the entrance to the trail where the mafia contingent was supposed to enter.The trees were limbed up high enough that you could be certain no one was hiding beneath them.A rocky cliff bordered one side of the open space, and a fast-moving creek with boulders sending the water in all directions framed the other side.No chance of anyone sneaking in either way.

Beast and his Riptide brothers looked incredibly relaxed on their bikes as they waited for Drake’s group.

How could they be so calm, waiting for the mafia to show up?

Five minutes to noon.I felt a hysterical urge to laugh as thoughts of the showdown at OK Corral passed through my mind.I prayed this wouldn’t end the same way.For the umpteenth time, I wished I’d never set eyes on Drake, never agreed to go out with him.

As if sensing my inner dread, my father reached for my hand.I pulled back, pretending not to notice.Holding hands was something I did with Beast.It felt wrong with someone else, even my father.He wrapped an arm around my shoulder instead, and I leaned against him.

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