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Her phone. That’s what it was—the shrill ringtone she’d assigned to her brother.
Her heart rate shot through the roof as she jerked in Moose’s arms. He grunted and tried to tighten his hold, but she said, “Moose! That’s my brother,” as she wriggled free.
His eyes flew open, and he released her at once. “Fuck!” He dragged a hand down his face as she turned toward the nightstand, where her phone blared away.
“Ricky?” she called before the phone reached her ear.
“Daisy, what the fuck,” he shouted.
She frowned, scooting back against the wooden headboard. “Ricky, where are you? Are you okay?”
Beside her, Moose also sat up. He did a shit job of masking his displeasure, wearing a deep scowl.
“Where am I? Where the fuck are you? What the hell did you do to our house?”
Daisy frowned. Moose slid an arm around her back and anchored her against his side. With how loudly Ricky yelled, Moose had to be hearing every word.
“First of all, Ricky, it’s not our house. It’s my house. I’m the one who pays the bills and spends my time, money, and effort making it a home.”
“For fuck’s sake, sis, I don’t have time for your drama. Your house is destroyed. What the hell did you do?”
Moose sat rigidly beside her. When she glanced up at him, she saw fire in his eyes. He’d gladly tell Ricky off if she’d handed the phone over, but this was her problem. The incredible man beside her had already done too much for her. At some point, she had to take the burden back onto her shoulders.
“You wanna know what I did, Richard? I got attacked by Buster and Pete after work last night. That’s what I did. They cornered me behind the restaurant and attacked me, Ricky. Then today I went home to find that someone had ransacked the place. I spent all morning talking to the cops and searching through my ruined things to see if anything was missing. That’s what I did, Ricky. What have you been doing?”
“You called the fucking cops?”
She laughed, but it sounded harsh and full of disbelief. “My house was destroyed. Yes, I called the cops. Sorry if that makes things difficult for you. Actually, I’m not sorry. What the hell were you thinking? Stealing money from Buster and Pete? Are you crazy?”
He stayed silent.
“Ricky?” she barked. She pulled the phone from her ear and stared at the screen. They were still connected. “Ricky, answer me!”
His peeved sigh infuriated her as though he was the victim here with the weight of the world pressing down on poor innocent Ricky.
“They’re idiots, Daisy. They sell their shit for half of what it’s worth. I can get so much more for it. I just need a few more days, and I’ll be able to give them what I owe, pay off the drugs, and keep a shitload for myself. Just give me a little more time.”
So he had stolen more than just money—drugs, as Moose had suspected. “What? No! Hell no, Ricky. You need to give them what you took, and you need to do it today.”
“Dais—”
“No! I don’t care what excuse you’re about to lob at me. Give them their shit back. Today!”
Thank God for Moose’s strong, stable presence beside her. Without his silent support, she’d have fallen apart.
Ricky didn’t respond immediately, and just as she was about to blast him again, he spoke, “I can’t do that, Daisy. I spent the money.”
She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. Her blood pressure had to be setting records. “Of course you did. What about the drugs?”
“I still have those. Most of it.”
Whatever he didn’t snort up his nose or smoke himself.
Moose tapped her leg. “Meet him later. Have him give you the drugs,” he mouthed.
She nodded. His idea could work. If she handed the stolen merchandise over to Buster and Pete, she might buy Ricky some time to earn their money back. Or something. With Moose at her side, she wouldn’t have to worry about meeting up with Buster and Pete since he’d keep her safe. Maybe his large, dominating presence and the memory of how he’d wiped the floor with Buster and Pete would help swing things her way and keep those two in line.
“Okay, Ricky, here’s how this is going to go. In two hours, you’re gonna meet me at the creek we used to play at when we were kids. You give me the drugs, and I’ll return them to Buster and Pete. Hopefully, we can use that as a gesture of good faith and get you time to get their money back.
“Dai—”
“There’s only one acceptable answer here, Ricky, and that’s your yes. You’re out of time and options. I presented you the only possible way to save your ass and mine, and you’re gonna take it.”
