Page 67 of Baxter's Right-Hand Man

“Hey, Ol.”

“Hi, Pierce.”

I stared, unseeing, out the window at the traffic on Wilshire. “I don’t like being blindsided. I agreed to the award shows. That’s it.”

“I know.” He sighed heavily on the line. “I’ll handle it.”

“Thanks.”

“You good? Ol and I are grabbing some ice cream for Charlie and the band. The Zero clan is gathered at Gray and Justin’s house for practice. Want to come by?”

“Come on. We’ll get you extra mint chip,” Oliver chimed in.

“Tempting, but I can’t.”

“If you change your mind, you know where we are,” Seb replied.

“Thanks.”

Hours later,my head was still spinning.

I made a beeline for my home gym in the hopes of working out some of my pent-up angst. I spent an hour on the treadmill, rock music blaring in my ears while I ran like the beasts of hell were coming for me, and sweat dripped from my forehead into my eyes faster than I could wipe my brow. I didn’t stop until my legs felt like spaghetti and my heart felt like it might jump out of my chest.

I showered, ate a peanut butter sandwich at the kitchen island, and willed my pulse to slow. It didn’t work. I knew I’d go nuts if I didn’t get out of my fucking cage. And I just really needed to see Lo.

What are you doing?I typed.

Inventory. We’re getting ready for spring.

You’re still at work?

I’ll be here for another hour or two. I’ll call you when I’m done, okay?

I sent a thumbs-up emoji and stared into space for a few minutes. Then I got dressed, hopped on my motorcycle, took the secret exit, and tore down the hill.

11

LORENZO

Knock. Knock.

Benson’s ears flattened, and his fur stood on end. The Lab looked at me for a millisecond before going apeshit bonkers, barking like mad as he slid across the tiled storage room to the back door.

My heart thumped and reverberated in my ears. That couldn’t be a delivery at—I checked my watch…8:04 p.m. Bran, Lizzy, and I were the only ones with keys, but—

Knock. Knock.

The dog howled on cue.Oh, my God.

I brushed off my khakis, grabbed a heavy, iron-based lamp, and moved to the door. “Who’s there?”

“Me.”

I unbolted the latch and flung the door open. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to—hey, buddy.” Pierce pulled his helmet off and crouched on one knee to let the Lab sniff his hand. “I’m a good guy. I promise. Who’s this?”

“Benson. He’s Bran and Jake’s dog. I asked to keep him since I was going to be alone here for a couple of hours,” I explained. “He’s a very unferocious sweetheart. His next trick will be to show you where the safe is so you can rob us blind.”