by Shayla Black
Heavenly held her breath as she pressed the doorbell and anxiously waited. Long seconds later, the door swung open. Pike stood in the portal, pierced brow raised, dressed in sweatpants, a wrinkled T-shirt, and a backward ball cap. He held a bottle of beer in one hand and a game controller in the other.
“You lost, sunshine?”
“Wow. You really do live here.”
“Most of my life. I’ll give you a tour if you want, but that’s not why you’re here, is it?”
“No.” She tried to tamp down her lingering worry that Beck and Seth would be horribly pissed if they knew she’d gone to Pike with her problem.
When you hide things, their translation is that you would have told them if you genuinely believed in them.
Knowing she had no other options to protect them, Heavenly silenced Raine’s warning and pressed on. “At my father’s funeral, you said if I ever needed anything…”
Pike’s eyes narrowed as he clearly tried to deduce the reason she’d suddenly appeared on his doorstep. Just when she feared he’d insist she explain where she stood, he eased back and opened the door wide, silently inviting her in.
Heavenly stepped over the threshold and followed Pike across mahogany hardwoods, through a tall archway, into a great room—and bit back a gasp. The room was a massive open atrium of smooth plaster in ecru tones. Pillars and stuffed bookcases soared up to modern wrought-iron railings, which lined the open second floor. The barrel coffered ceiling towered above that, inducing jaw-dropping awe. Afternoon spilled sunlight in from a bounty of windows and bathed the whole room in glowing elegance.
While she gaped, Pike turned off the biggest flat-screen television she’d ever seen and dropped his game controller on the long black leather sofa. When he headed toward the back of the room, Heavenly quickly followed, passing an enormous fireplace and equally imposing wet bar before heading through another dark-colored door.
From there, Pike ducked inside a stunning white kitchen, decorated with marble and gleaming stainless steel appliances that looked like they’d rarely been used.
He yanked open the fridge and grabbed another beer. “Want something to drink?”
“No, thank you. I’m fine.”
“Suit yourself.” He shrugged, then brushed past her, opened a gorgeous set of French doors, and gestured her outside.
Easing past him, she smiled tightly and stepped onto a red-brick patio that felt both expansive and cozy. Massive urn-shaped planters filled with ruthlessly sculpted bushes lined one side of the beautiful space, towering privacy bushes the other. A shimmering marble-edged swimming pool lay just beyond. Mere feet from a gorgeous stucco and Spanish-tile fire pit sat a table decorated with a stunning arrangement of pink hydrangeas.
Pike moved in behind her. He didn’t touch her, simply nodded to one of the chairs shrouded beneath a huge tan umbrella. “Have a seat.”
Nerves pinging, Heavenly eased down on a thick burlap cushion and watched him claim the chair across from her.
“So what do you want from me?”
For once, she wasn’t annoyed by his abrupt manner. “I’m having a problem with my former landlord.”
“You mean the one your boyfriends nearly beat to death? Yeah, I heard about that.”
That reminder sent Sanchez’s bruised and battered face spooling through her head. “Yes.”
Pike took a long pull of his beer. “Your boy toys should have finished him off that night. You wouldn’t be having a problem with that asshole now if they had.”
“Killing him isn’t the answer.”
“Then what is? What’s the prick holding over your head that has you lying to Beauty and the Beast?”
Was that what he’d nicknamed Beck and Seth? “Why call them that?”
“In certain circles, all the ladies love Seth’s pretty face. His supposedly talented tongue probably doesn’t hurt, either. And Beck is a beast of a sadist; everyone knows that. Though maybe I should call them Beast and Beast since Seth was so pissed at me the night I eye-fucked you at Hammer’s place, he knocked me out cold with one punch.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Oh, my gosh. I didn’t know. I’m so sor—”
“Don’t apologize, sunshine. You didn’t do anything wrong,” he pointed out. “The landlord. What’s he got on you? Maybe I can help.”
Suddenly, Pike didn’t seem as self-absorbed or as surly as he wanted everyone to believe.
Heavenly shifted in her seat. “First, I need you to promise that you’ll keep this conversation between us.”
“If you’re on my doorstep, how much bargaining power do you really have?”
None. Pike was her only hope.
“All right. The rental company is insisting that I help them retrieve my father’s hospital bed from my old apartment. It’s part of the agreement.”
Pike pinned her with fathomless dark eyes that made her shiver. “But since Beauty and the Beast beat the shit out of your landlord, he’s not playing nice. Am I right?”
Swallowing tightly, Heavenly nodded. “Exactly.”
“So…you’re not telling them because you know they’d happily confront that motherfucker.”
“And end up in prison or dead, yes.”
Pike nodded slowly. “You love them too much to stand over their graves or let them become Bubba’s butt bitches in prison. Got it.”
Either scenario made Heavenly want to throw up. “Something like that.”
Pike took another long swallow of his beer. “And what do you think I’m going to do? Look, I like you and all, sunshine, but I won’t bust up your landlord’s face. I’m not willing to risk taking a bullet or some horny convict’s cock for you.”
She shook her head. “I’m not asking you to. I’m hoping that if I arrange a time for the rental company to pick up the bed, you’ll meet them at the apartment and…I don’t know, pick the lock to let them inside?” She paused and wrinkled her brow. “You know how to pick a lock, right?”
“Your opinion of me is flattering, sunshine,” he drawled derisively. “And no. I don’t know how to pick a lock.”
Heavenly cringed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean the question as an insult.”
“I know. And I’m not useless.” He smirked. “I can kick in the fucking door.”
“Does that mean you’ll do it?”
“Not so fast.” Pike stopped her with a hand. “You’re asking me to commit B and E. What’s in it for me?”
What could she possibly offer Pike that would entice him to take the risk? She could only think of one thing. Her stomach soured. “I’m not sleeping with you, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I’m not.”
She let out a breath of relief. “Then what do you want?”
“Help. With a woman.”
Probably the same mystery woman Beck had mentioned at breakfast back in Vegas.
“I heard you were seeing someone.”
“Our mutual friends are supposed to be big, badass Doms, but they’re a bunch of fucking gossipy hens.”
While Heavenly was hardly the relationship expert Raine was, she’d gladly offer up whatever advice she could. “How can I help you with her?”
“I won’t ask you to convince her that River is a manwhoring asshole. I know you like him and he’s your bestie’s brother. So if you just…” He paused and glanced up at the cloudless sky. “Fuck, I want someone—another female who’s sweet and credible—to tell her that if she’d let me, I’d be good to her.”
If they were together, shouldn’t this mystery woman already know that? Clearly, Pike was serious about her… Whatever. If all he wanted was someone to put in a good word for him, she could do that.
But she couldn’t quite let go of her curiosity. “Why would she think you’re not?”
“Come on, sunshine.” Pike snorted. “I’m not the easiest person to get along with. Even you look at me like I’m a goddamn plague.” His voice softened. “I might seem scary. I honestly try to be on my best behavior to people w
ith two X chromosomes, but…sometimes I slip and open my big mouth.”
Like leering lasciviously at her during Hammer’s party? To his credit, though, he hadn’t ogled or hit on her at all today.
“Okay. Do you want me to call her or something?”
“I’d like to introduce you two.”
“That’s fine, but why me? Why not Raine or…” Heavenly had no idea who else he knew.
“You’re really going to make me say it? Fine. You’re real. Special. Like her.” Suddenly, he scowled. “And don’t you dare say a word about this.”
Who did he think she was going to tell, River? Dean? Beck and Seth? “I won’t if you won’t.”
“Fine.”
Pike agreeing so quickly told her the man had it bad.
“Good. I can’t wait to meet her.” Heavenly was beyond curious to lay eyes on the woman who’d managed to touch Pike’s snarky heart. But most of all, she needed this problem with the hospital bed over.
“When do you need me?”
“You’ll help me square away the bed?”
“While keeping your boys from being gang raped in prison? Yeah. Tell me when and where.”
“I’ll keep you posted on the time.” Heavenly pulled out a pen and a scrap of paper before jotting down the address. When she handed it to Pike, his brows shot up. “Is this near Figueroa and MLK?”
Heavenly nodded.
“Damn, sunshine.” The look he shot her was full of sympathy. “That part of town is no joke. I’m glad you got out.”
Pike was definitely a puzzle. He’d once again shown her his benevolent side, like he had at the funeral home.
“If it weren’t for Beck and Seth…” Heavenly didn’t finish. She didn’t even want to think about where she’d be right now otherwise.
As if sensing her disquiet, Pike sent her a reassuring smile. “I bust their balls a lot, but they’re all right. I know one thing for sure: They’ll keep you safe and happy or die trying.”
“The dying part is what I’m trying to avoid.” She sighed.
Pike nodded. “Same. So if they ever find out about our little meeting today, I’m pleading the Fifth. I don’t want to end up like your landlord or six feet under.”
She didn’t want to think about what they’d do if they ever found out. Would they really leave her? “Of course.”
He dragged his phone from his pocket. “What’s your number? I’ll text you. Then you can hit me back when you set up a time with the rental company.”
“I, um…I left my cell at Beck’s house, but here’s my number.” Heavenly recited it.
“On purpose?” When she squirmed in answer, he raised that pierced brow again. “I get it. You’re hooked up with a PI who’s probably tracking your phone.”
“Yes.”
“You’d better watch that. He’ll probably use his dick to plant a homing device up your ass…if he hasn’t already.”
Heavenly felt her face catch fire. She wasn’t going to dignify that with a response. Besides, she got the feeling that was his version of teasing. “I should get going. Thank you again for helping me. I appreciate it.”
They stood, and Pike plucked his beer off the table before starting for the patio door. “Just keep your end of the bargain and convince my girl that I’m the only one who will keep her safe and happy or die trying, ’kay?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Chapter Fifteen
Seth hunched over his laptop, looking at some surveillance footage River had taken when his phone, sitting at his elbow, pealed. He glanced down, hoping to hear from Heavenly.
Beck’s name popped up on his screen.
“Hey, Doc. What’s up?”
“Where’s Heavenly?” He sounded agitated.
Seth sat up straighter. “She’s not at the hospital?”
“No. I went down to the ER to see her once I got out of surgery. Jennifer said she left to take care of something, but she didn’t know what. I called her phone. She didn’t answer.”
He tried not to panic. “Hang on. Let me check.”
Because he had no fucking idea why she’d leave in the middle of a shift without a word to either of them.
With a stabbing finger, he launched the app to track her phone. Sure enough, it was at home. “You don’t think she took a shower or something, do you?”
“I’ve been trying for fifteen minutes.”
“Maybe she muted her phone to nap?”
“It’s not like her to leave work for sleep.”
True. Seth’s worry ticked up. He gripped the phone tighter and launched the app to track Heavenly’s necklace. If that was at home, too…
But it wasn’t. It was at least a couple of miles away from her phone. He refreshed in case the app was wonky. Nope. The pinpoint location definitely put her in the middle of a residential district that wasn’t Beck’s.
“Who do you know in Beverly Hills?”
“No one. And she doesn’t know anyone, either. She’s there?”
“According to this, yes. Hang on.” Seth pressed the button to get a full list of her day’s locations. Home, commute, hospital—all normal. Except…
“She left the hospital about an hour ago for that coffeehouse around the corner from the ER. Did she say she was going for some specialty java or meeting anyone?”
“I haven’t talked to her all day. But she never goes there, just drinks the coffee at her unit. What the fuck is going on? Something’s wrong.”
Beck was right. Seth pinged her current location. She hadn’t moved. He zoomed in to get an address, then opened his browser and searched the property records. The information that popped up shocked him. “Holy fuck.”
“What? What’s wrong?” Beck now sounded every bit as panicked as he felt.
“Why would she go to Pike’s house?”
“Pike? She doesn’t even like that motherfucker.”
“I don’t, either,” Seth muttered. “But she’s there.”
And he could only think of two reasons why—both ugly.
Beck let out a confused breath. “What the fuck?”
“Does he have any history of violence?”
“Not that I’m aware of. If he was a predator, Hammer would never let him DM at Shadows. But that cocksucker will put his dick in anything with a pussy and a pulse.”
“And we already know he’s had his eye on our girl.” Maybe Pike had lured her into a trap. To repay him for clocking the SOB back in February? Seth pounded a fist on his desk, feeling fucking caged in his office. “River is out, and I’ve got no car.”
“I’m already in the parking garage. I’ll be there in ten.”
Seconds later, Seth heard the beep of Beck’s car over the line, followed by the rev of the engine, then the screech of tires. “I can’t even imagine why she’s at Pike’s. She wouldn’t let him fuck her.”
At least not voluntarily.
“No. And after the way you laid him out at Hammer’s party, he wouldn’t touch her unless he had a death wish.”
But he knew all too well the lengths someone would go to for a vendetta. “If he needs a reminder, I have no problem doing it again.”
“Won’t we need him conscious, at least long enough to answer our questions?”
Probably, and that pissed Seth off. “The only other scenario is that she’s up to something and doesn’t want us to know.” Was she trying to leave them—for good? The bottom dropped out of Seth’s stomach. “Drive faster.”
“I just ran a fucking red light. Believe me, I’m hurrying.” He cursed, then fell silent. Seth could feel his worry. “I’m trying really hard to hold my shit together.”
“Me, too.”
Goddamn it, he should have guessed that, one way or another, Heavenly was going to break his heart. Wasn’t that how this shit always turned out for him?
“Maybe I should I hang up and call Pike,” Beck suggested.
“No. I don’t want to give him a heads-up. I say we go over there and surprise him.”<
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Seth shut down his computer. He’d text River later. Then he packed up his shit and raced downstairs. “How far away are you?”
“I’m three out.”
He emerged into the sunshine, phone pressed to his ear, and looked up the street. “If you’ll slow to a roll, I’ll hop in.”
Beck grunted. He wasn’t much for conversation right now, either.
An interminable handful of minutes later, Beck came screeching around the corner. Seth hung up as the convertible slowed down just enough for Seth to pry the door open and hop in.
Before his ass had hit the seat, the surgeon floored it. “Where am I going?”
Seth re-pinged her necklace. Still no movement. So he started navigating. Beck followed directions without commentary. What else was there to say? Until they had more information, they were both lost in their own personal what-if hells. Seth didn’t want to think about the worst. He’d seen it, lived it. He couldn’t go through that again…
They stopped at a light. Traffic was thickening. Impatience rode him hard. What if they didn’t get to Pike’s in time to help her? What if…
Fuck, he had to wire his shit tight. He wouldn’t be any good for anyone if he fell apart.
Finally, the light turned green. Beck floored it. “Check her location again.”
Good idea. They were closing in on her, maybe two minutes out.
With a nod, he pressed the button to double-check her position. “Fuck, she’s moving.” Breath held, he verified her path, watching as she turned out of the neighborhood she’d just visited. According to the app, she’d been there a scant twenty-three minutes.
Long enough for something terrible to happen.
“She’s on the same street now, barely a quarter mile ahead of us. We need to catch up.”
“Fuck yes, we do.”
But traffic was nearly bumper-to-bumper now that rush hour was beginning. There was no way for the surgeon to squeeze between cars. Seth wished like hell he hadn’t left his motorcycle at his apartment. And he couldn’t run her down on foot since, even in traffic, she’d still outpace him.
“Thank God no one in LA walks,” Beck muttered, then jerked the right side of his convertible onto the sidewalk. The left remained on the bike lane as he shot down the road.
