Page 86 of Daddy's Laws

“A client of mine. The man who attacked Shannon and Liv escaped from prison last night and he left her name on his cell wall. I’m on my way over there now. If I text you the address, can you meet me there?”

“Consider it done.”

“Thanks. I’ll pay whatever the fee is until he’s caught.”

“For this asshole? Consider it on the house.”

“We’ll negotiate. Sending you the address now.” Ending the call, he pulled up MaryAnn’s address and texted it to Dean before hurrying back into the bedroom and kneeling on the bed.

He hated to wake her, hated to bring her from restful sleep into a nightmare instead of the other way around. But no way in hell was he leaving her here, unprotected. “Shannon. Wake up, princess. We need to go.”

“You can go. Goaway. I’m sleeping.”

As grumpy as usual when she was woken before she was ready. It almost made him smile, despite the seriousness of the circumstances. “Can’t do that, baby. It’s important. I need you to get up.”

“Don’t wanna.”

“I know, princess, but if we don’t get out the door in the next five minutes, we won’t be able to stop for donuts and coffee on the way.”

That got her attention. Rolling onto her back, she stretched, a grin spreading across her face. “Can I get one of those donuts with the powder and the custard inside?”

“Whatever you want, baby, as long as you get up right now.”

The smile disappeared in a finger snap, and she sat up, her eyes narrowed. “What’s going on? Youneverlet me get the powdered ones when we’re in the car.”

For a split second, he considered lying to her. It would be just as easy to drop her off at James and Liv’s place and keep them all in the dark for a few hours longer.

But by law, they’d all be notified eventually. And even if he could have kept it from them, he was done hiding things from her. Cupping her face in his hands, he forced his voice to stay as calm and soothing as possible. “Nathaniel Cooke escaped last night.”

Her eyes widened and her breath seemed to catch in her throat. “Wh-what?”

“They’re looking for him, but until he’s found, you and MaryAnn and Olivia will all have a protective detail.”

“Oh, you mean the same cops who let Liv get kidnapped? That’s real fucking reassuring.”

He hated that she had a point. “We’ll hire security. Dean knows people.”

“Dean?” Confusion drew her brows together for a moment. “Dean, the sex toy guy?”

“Yes. It’s… complicated. He’s on his way to MaryAnn’s now, which is why we need to get going.”

It was clear from the uncertainty in her eyes she wanted more information, but she didn’t push. “Okay. I’ll go get ready.”

They left later than he’d wanted to, but he stopped for the donuts and coffee anyway, and even let Shannon munch on her donut in the car without caring about the powder inevitably left behind.

Or he pretended not to care, anyway, since it made her smile for the first time since he’d told her about the escape.

Dean was waiting for them in the lobby of MaryAnn’s apartment building, an uncharacteristic frown on his face. “The security here is complete shit. You want me to keep her safe, we’re going to have to move her.”

“Fuck. She’s not going to like that.”

At that, Dean’s usual smile flashed. “Let me handle that part.” His attention shifted to Shannon and his expression softened. “Hey there, sweetheart. You doing okay?”

“I mean, I would prefer to be on an island somewhere soaking up some rays with a hot cabana boy bringing me fruity drinks with those cute little umbrellas. But this is fun, too.”

“God, I love this girl. You better marry her before I decide to steal her from you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Carry the donuts and keep your hands off my woman.” Shoving the pink and white striped box at him, Bryant stalked to the elevators and stabbed the button to go up.

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