Page 27 of Ozzie

“Someone knew you were here,” Harding says.

“I texted my parents after I arrived. Oh, and a friend. That was it.”

“A friend? What’s his name?”

“He’s not behind this,” JB says.

“Give me the name, and let me figure that out,” Harding says. “You’d be surprised who will turn on you for the right payout.”

CHAPTER 9

Piper

“You could carry me,”I say to Durango.

He’s forcing me to use crutches even though the doctor did say I could apply weight to my leg as long as it wasn’t too painful. The only reason I’m complying with Durango is because I have bigger issues I want to win. Maybe giving in on this will help.

“All right,” Durango says as he comes closer.

I hold up my hand. “No, I was being sarcastic.” I swing myself to the door of Reed Hawthorne Security, and my cousin opens it for me. “Thank you.”

Reed had asked Durango to come in this morning to discuss his request to transfer. That at least delays our flight by one day since the rest of the flights today are booked. Durango spent an hour staring at his phone this morning, trying to find something today.

I don’t understand his rush. We were fine at Lightning’s cabin.

“I’m going to grab that stool from Lightning’s office. Just a second.” Durango jogs down the hall. He returns with a small fabric ottoman.

“I don’t recall seeing that before.”

Durango places it so I can put my leg up on it. “He keeps it under his desk.”

I bring my leg up and feel instant relief.

The two of us have reached some sort of unspoken compromise to get along for now. He’s unaware that I have a plan in place to stay in town. Tonight, Kayla is going to pick me up. My bags are already packed, and I’m debating whether to sneak out while Durango is in his room or to confront him.

“Piper, how are you doing?” Reed asks as he approaches us.

I shrug. “Fine, I guess.”

Reed’s amazing, as are all the guys here. I really don’t want to give up my job. If we move, there is no job waiting for me in Seattle. Something that doesn’t matter to Durango. Another reason I should stay with Kayla.

“It’s only the three of us in here today,” Reed says as he goes to the door. “I’m going to lock the door, but if you’d prefer to work in one of the offices, I can help get you set up.”

I blink a few times. He’s never offered me an office before. “You know John was released?”

Reed glances at Durango.

“Reed asked to be included in the messages from the prosecutor, so he got the information when I did.”

I’m lucky I work in a place surrounded by protective men. John would be an idiot to try to come here.

“I’m fine at my desk. Thank you.” I glance in the direction of the door.

If someone looks in, they will only see the corner of my desk but not me.

Durango’s meeting with Reed takes longer than I expected, but since I’ve missed some work, I have plenty to keep me busy. I’m wrapping up paperwork when my cousin exits the office and walks to my desk.

“Ready?” he asks.

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