Page 67 of Ozzie

Stormy chuckles. “Okay, Moose, you probably don’t want to get involved in whatever Lightning is suggesting.”

“Got it,” Moose says.

Lightning shakes his head and glares at me.

“That’s all I had. I’ll talk to you guys later,” Stormy says.

We all say goodbye.

“Durango, Moose, and Lightning, please stay. I have a new assignment for you,” Reed says. “Ozzie and Piper, you can go back to work.”

I don’t waste any time stepping out of the office. It looks like Durango is getting sent away, which means I’ll have time with Piper. We desperately need to talk over everything that’s happened and plan our future. When Durango gets back, we can all sit down and talk.

I return to my office and send Piper a text.

Ozzie:Can we talk tonight?

She responds right away.

Piper:Let’s wait to see when Durango leaves for his assignment. Although, he’ll probably ask you to keep an eye on me like he usually does.

I cringe at her words. It definitely feels like sneaking around, and I don’t like that. Besides, Durango might not ask me to watch her this time. Although all the other guys will be out, and he really won’t have a choice. I continue with my paperwork until there is a knock at my door. I glance up to see Durango.

“Come in.”

He steps in and shuts the door behind him. He sits in the chair across from me and leans forward. “I’m heading out tonight. As for Piper—”

“I’ll keep an eye on her.”

He nods. “I hate to ask this, but she will need more than just an eye. Can you stay at our place while I’m gone?”

I lean back, surprised.

His hand goes up. “You can use my bedroom. Please do not use this as an opportunity to take advantage of her.”

My surprise turns to anger. “Take advantage? You think I would take advantage of your cousin?”

He’s made it clear he doesn’t think too highly of me when it comes to women, but I didn’t think it went that low.

He clenches his jaw as he stares at me. “Piper is in a vulnerable place and needs protection, not someone hitting on her.”

I shake my head. “I’ll keep my hands to myself. Good luck on your assignment.”

I don’t say anymore. I can’t. Not without getting angrier than I should at work. Hell, if I said what I really thought right now, I’m pretty sure Durango would deck me. And that’s not how I want to leave things before he goes on an assignment. I don’t want to give him anything that could distract him.

He stares at me for a moment before standing up. “Thank you for looking after her.”

This has to be hard on him, leaving his cousin when the man who shot and kidnapped her is still out there somewhere.

I stand up too. “Hey, seriously, I won’t let anything happen to her. You have my word.”

He nods. “The assignment should last a few days atmost. Hopefully, John’s stuck somewhere healing and unable to sit, walk, or drive for a while.”

I grin. Piper told us in detail how John fell onto a sharp branch, puncturing his ass.

“I hope he’s suffering.”

Durango grins. “If he does show up, kick him in the ass, will you? Add to his misery.”

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