Page 59 of Ozzie

“Piper!” I yell.

No response.

“Maybe she jumped out of the car while he was driving.”

Durango stares at the road, across the road, then back at the car. “If she jumped out, John wouldn’t have taken the time to park like this. If another car picked them up, he would have time to park.”

He’s right. John would have pulled over and the door would probably still be open if she jumped.

“Why would another car pick them up here?”

Durango shrugs. “Perhaps Piper’s mom told him we were looking for them.”

My gut tells me that isn’t likely, but I can’t come up with a better reason his car is here.

“Let’s check out that address is Elliston. Maybe they’ll be there.”

I nod and hope they are.

After we’re back on the road for a few miles, he looks over at me.

“I need to ask you something, and I need you to tell me the truth.”

I swallow nervously because I know where this is going.

“Have you slept with my cousin?”

My head whips to his. “No! I wouldn’t do that.”

He stares at me for a moment, then returns his eyes to the road. “I’ve seen the looks you two give each other. Seems more than friendly.”

I sigh. “Yeah, I won’t lie. I really like her. She’s sweet yet tough. Understanding, but she also won’t let me get away with shit. But we haven’t crossed the line. We agreed we wouldn’t without your blessing.”

Durango shifts uncomfortably. “Were you planning on asking for my blessing?”

Well, damn. This isn’t a conversation I want to have in a car or without Piper. But he’s my friend, and he deserves the truth.

“Yes. We were going to talk to you about it, but then John shot Piper in the leg, and she was dealing with that. You threatened to move to Seattle. I went out on assignment. I’m back, but now Piper is missing.” I run my hand through my hair. “Would you really have moved across the country to keep us apart?”

“I would, yes.”

I turn in my seat to face him. “Why? I mean, I get that you were my wingman years ago, but things have changed. Back then, I wasn’t interested in a relationship.”

His eyes widen. “And now you are? Or is it that she’s the ultimate hard-to-get woman?” He glances over at me. “I remember. You always went for the woman who didn’t seem interested. You would flirt and charm her until,finally, you had her convinced you truly wanted her. The next morning, you lost all interest.”

I lean back against the door. “That’s what you thought I did? Jesus, Durango. I’m not that kind of asshole. I always made it clear I only wanted one night. I never lied about that.”

“You sure about that?”

What the hell is he talking about? “Did someone tell you otherwise?”

He pulls into a driveway and parks. “We’re here. Let’s table that discussion.” He gets out of the car before I can object.

Not that I would. Finding Piper is my priority. The house in front of us is large. To the right is a five-car garage. In the darkness, I can’t make out anything else on the property.

I follow Durango to the front door. He knocks, and we wait. The door opens, and a teenage girl rolls her eyes.

“You’re not Clark.” She steps away from the door, leaving it open. “Dad, someone’s here for you.”

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