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“You know I have the firepower to do that. How many of them can there possibly be?”
Beck just shook his head.
“Damn it, listen to me. We have resources.”
“You’re not getting it. Even if you take out a ton of these fuckers, there will always be more. And you two would have zero life constantly looking over your shoulders.”
He had to deal with this insanity alone. It was the only way he could keep the people he loved alive.
“I see your point.” Seth nodded, and Beck had the distinct impression the big guy was humoring him. “How about this? We can’t stay here now, right?” At Beck’s nod, Seth went on. “Let’s find someplace safe—temporarily. We’ll buy some time, some supplies, and hopefully some clarity. Then we can come up with a long-term strategy once we know precisely what we’re dealing with.”
As plans went, Seth’s made more sense than his own, which had simply been to hop in his car and drive away to who knew where. “Where did you have in mind?”
“Let me call Liam. It sounds like you need to call Gloria, too.”
“Yes. Fuck. Right now.”
“Do that. Heavenly”—Seth turned to her—“pack yourself a bag. The bare essentials. Hopefully, we can come back for the rest of our stuff later. I’ve already got a bug-out bag together, so I’ll call Liam.” He glanced at his watch. “We need to be out of here in less than five.”
As Seth took his phone in hand, it rang. He glanced at it. “Speak of the devil.” He slid his finger across the screen with a grimace of a smile. “Liam…”
To Beck’s relief, Heavenly didn’t argue. She immediately began gathering clothes and toiletries. When she wandered from the room, the PI trailed her. He couldn’t speculate about what she’d been up to with Pike. He had to make a call—and screw up Gloria’s life.
Bag packed, he sank to the edge of the bed and raked a hand through his hair, pressing the device against his ear. She picked up on the third ring.
“Ken! I’ve been getting ready for work and thinking about you. Our divorce is final tomorrow and—”
“They found me,” he cut in. “You and Buddy need to get the hell out of there now.”
All hint of jubilation left her voice. “You’re sure?”
Her shaking question nearly killed him. “Yeah. I hate to do this to you, but you’re not safe. I’m almost sure they’re the ones who beat the hell out of you in January, so you know they’re serious. I’m leaving LA, and I don’t trust that they won’t hurt you again to find me.”
“What about Seth and Heavenly?”
God, he didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t fathom leaving them, maybe forever.
Seth walked back in the room then, shepherding Heavenly in front of him. She clutched her father’s picture and the guest book from his service against her chest.
The big PI pocketed his phone, retrieved a bag in the closet, then set it at their girl’s feet. “Liam called to offer us the lodge. While we were talking, River arrived. He caught them up. They’re going to follow us up there and give us more eyes to watch our six.”
That news gave Beck some hope. “Okay, Gloria. Head to Big Bear. There’s room for everyone until we figure out our next steps.” And kink equipment for days that would make his ex-wife roll her eyes. “I’ll text you the address once we’re on the road.”
He heard some shuffling and some scrambling, then Buddy answered him. “I know what’s going on, Ken. I’ll keep her safe. We’ll be out of here PDQ.”
For once, he was fucking grateful that Gloria hadn’t kept his secret. “Make sure you’re not followed. And thanks, man.”
The line went dead as Heavenly zipped up her bag. Seth handed him the semiautomatic. “Keep this handy and stay with our girl. I have to pack the toys.”
Beck knew he didn’t mean the BDSM type. He nodded and grabbed all the bags, then turned to Heavenly. “Let’s go.”
She nodded, her clear blue eyes full of the same resolution she’d shown him last night, telling him wordlessly that she was committed to helping him…and that she didn’t regret her decision, even if this mess changed everything.
On his way down, Beck stopped long enough to close all the blinds. He turned up the thermostat and looked around for anything else that required attention. All he saw was Heavenly.
“I’m sorry, little girl.” He didn’t know what else to say.
She wrapped her arms around him and pressed herself against him, laying her mouth over his. “I’m not. And Seth is right. We’ll face this together.” She squeezed him tight. “I don’t get everything that’s happening, but I trust you’ll tell me when you can, just like I trust Seth will keep us safe. I’m here how and when you need me.”
