Page 43 of Ozzie

I sigh. “You’re right. But I can’t help checking, just in case.”

“And he’s also not going to let anything happen to her. I’m sure he’s by her side twenty-four-seven.”

He’s right. Durango is extremely protective of Piper, and he will do anything he can for her.

My mind drifts to when Piper and I met. It was before she began working at RHS. I’d stopped by Durango’s place, and she was there. When she walked out from the back bedroom, our eyes locked. And it may sound corny, but I knew she was the one. But Durango dropped a bucket of water over it all when he mentioned she was in college. Yes, she was in college and had just turned twenty-two.

I made some excuse and left, shaming myself the entire way home for even thinking of her like that. She was too young. I’d always preferred slightly older women, so I couldn’t explain the pull I felt toward Piper. But I ignored it as long as I could.

“Be honest. Has something happened between you two?”

“No.” It’s not a lie. “But I want something with her.”

Lightning’s eyes widen. “Nothinghas happened? Yet Durango wants to move across the country to get her away from you? You don’t have to lie to me.”

“You think I’m lying?”

He slowly nods. “It’s hard not to miss the sparks flying between you two or the way you look at each other when you think no one else is watching. It’s clear Durango sees it. He’s spent the better part of this year pissed and growly.”

He’s right. Durango hasn’t been his usual good-natured self, but I figured that was because Piper was here, and his protective instincts had kicked in. But if I’m being honest, he also became too busy for us to hang out as much as we used to.

“He has been moody. But I swear nothing has happened.”

He laughs. “Piper does a shit job of hiding her crush on you.”

I grin. “I don’t think she ever tried.”

Lightning walks to the front window and stares out. “What’s your plan? Try to convince Durango you’re the guy for her? Run off to Vegas and elope?” He turns and grins at me when he says the last one.

“If I took Piper to Vegas, you’d never find my body.”

Lightning turns back, and his body stiffens. “Shit. We have company.”

CHAPTER 13

Piper

I debate sending the text.Yes, Ozzie is on assignment, but it’s nothing that would upset him and, frankly, I need to hear from him.

I set my phone down. No, that would be selfish. It could distract him.

The past twenty-four hours have been a nightmare. John’s interview went viral, causing all sorts of internet investigators to dig in until they came up with my name. After all the awful posts, I finally deactivated my social media accounts. And I don’t dare go out in public. Not that I would, since John is free, and we have no idea where he is right now. But I’d bet money he’s still in New York somewhere.

Thunder roars outside, and the lights go off.

“Dammit!” Durango yells from the kitchen. “Stay where you are. I’ll bring you a flashlight.”

I remain on my bed as a beam of light comes down the hallway. Durango steps into my room.

“Here.” He hands me a flashlight. “It’s rare to lose power in a storm here, but this one is intense. Hopefully, they’ll have it back on soon.”

A crash on the other side of the wall also causes me to jump.

“Oh no. That’s Helen. It sounds like she fell. I need to check on her.” He stands but doesn’t move. “I’ll lock the door. Stay here, all right?”

“Okay.”

He doesn’t need to say more, but we’re both on edge with John out there somewhere.

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