Page 15 of Piper's Pyro

“Agreed.” I nodded.

The Goode brothers left and closed the door behind them.

I took a minute to breathe and gather my thoughts, then dialed Bone’s number.

“It’s only been a goddamn hot second since I left, and you’re already calling.” Bone sighed. “What do you want?”

“How are you?”

“Alive.”

“Come on. Don’t be a jerk.”

He sighed again. “I’m processing. Got a lotta shit on my mind.”

“I’m sure you do. Y’know, the best place to start is by making amends.”

“And now I’m hanging up on you. I do not want to talk about Lady M.”

“Don’t hang up,” I shouted. “I have news about Destiny.”

“What news?” His voice took on a protective edge.

“I need you to bring her to the farm.”

“Why? Is this a trick? I will disown you if you’re using her to get me alone with Lady M.”

“That’s not my style, brother. It’s yours.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Bone paused for a second. “But you want me to talk to Lady M, don’t you?”

“Yes. But I’m not going to force anything.” Of course I wanted to make him do the right thing, but it wasn’t my place. “Don’t do it for her, do it for you and the rest of us. If too much time passes, you’ll never come back home.”

“I know, but you gotta give me more information about Destiny. Why do you want us at the farm?”

“Not over the phone, Bone. It’s big and about her past.”

“Fuck. I’ve been so wrapped up in my misery that I hadn’t thought much about her.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“She’s a nice woman, and you’re—”

“A selfish asshole. Fuck, I’m horrible with women.”

I wasn’t going to say that, but I wasn’t about to argue. My brother had a lot of scars and emotional damage to work through. He might not be the right person for Destiny. “What’s the deal between the two of you?”

“We’re friends, sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“We take care of each other’s needs.”

“Okay, so like friends with benefits. But do you care about her?”

“Sure.”

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