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“You sent the picture after I agreed to escort her back here. All you told me originally was that she was the daughter of one of our FBI contacts.”

“Still, once you realized it, you didn’t mention you knew her. Don’t you think that might have been important?”

“Because her father would feel better if he knew the security guy you had escorting her home could identify her without any clothes on? I can’t see how that would help. And I barely knew her. Like she said, we didn’t even exchange names.”

Ace glanced down at his watch. “We can discuss this later.”

Just then, there was a light tap at the door. “Come on in,” Ace called out.

The door opened and a man I assumed to be Piper’s father entered. He nodded to Ace before striding over to Piper. “You okay?”

She stood up, giving him a big hug. “Yes. Thank you. Sorry about this. I didn’t know who else to call.”

He dropped a fatherly kiss on her forehead. “No problem. I’m glad you thought of me.”

Ace spoke up. “Beast, this is Sam, Piper’s father. Sam, this is Beast. He’s the one who brought your daughter back for you.”

Sam looked over Piper’s head at me. “Thanks, Beast, for looking out for my little girl.”

Not so little, but I occasionally knew when to keep my mouth shut. “Just doing my job, sir.”

Ace motioned us all to sit down, and this time I followed instructions, taking a chair on the far side of Piper where I could still see her. Being her only security all the way across the country I’d gotten used to having her in my sight at all times.

“We need to talk about next steps. The threat is still out there.” Ace ignored me, talking to Piper’s father.

“I can take her to the Bureau headquarters. We have a couple of apartments there for guests. She’ll be safe. Lots of security.”

“That works short term, but you need a solution that eliminates the threat for good.” Ace leaned back in his seat, gazing at each of us in turn.

“Her ex has mob connections. High level ones. The kind that don’t just give up.

Sooner or later, he’s going to figure out where she is, and you can’t protect her 24/7 for the rest of her life.

She’ll have to leave the headquarters eventually. ”

“So what do you suggest?”

“We need to investigate the ex, hopefully figure out why he wants her dead, and then find some way to neutralize the threat.”

“You mean kill him?” Piper’s brows shot skyward.

Ace shook his head. “Not necessarily. That might just ramp up the threat. Those guys are big on revenge. We need to find out why he put the hit out on you, and what we can do to make him decide to rescind it. The mob is a business. If there’s no reason to kill you, they won’t bother wasting the money or resources. ”

I spoke up. “I’m sure Shadow can do some more digging, but that’s going to take time. I have a suggestion to keep her safe in the meantime.”

All three of them looked at me.

“You told me your agent offered you a singing gig, traveling around the southern states with a band for backup.” I looked at Piper. “If it’s still an option, it might just work to keep you out of sight, at least for now.”

Piper looked thoughtful. “I think it is. The band’s lead singer got in a car accident and is out of commission, which is why they made the offer. I’d be a stand-in for this tour, so I’m not on any of the posters or advertisements. I have until this Friday to give them an answer.”

I looked at Ace. “We give her a fake identity and send her on tour. Maybe change her hair color, whatever it takes so she doesn’t look like the woman they’re searching for.

She won’t be in one place for very long, so she’ll be almost impossible to track.

I can go with her as a bodyguard in case they do figure it out.

Lots of performers have bodyguards so it won’t seem out of the ordinary.

If she passes on this contract, she might not get another offer for years.

Or at all. Accepting this kills two birds with one stone -- a real break for her career-wise, and a chance to hide in plain sight while we figure out what’s going on. ”

“Would that work?” Piper looked hopeful. “I mean, the tour schedule would be public knowledge.”

“It’s already set, so your name won’t be on the playbill.” Ace steepled his fingers. “It could work.”

“Does this Drake asshole know about the tour?” her father asked.

Piper shook her head. “I don’t think so. The offer came months after we split up.”

“How long is this tour?”

“I think they said six weeks. It’s basically a loop across the southern states and back.”

“Are you willing to take the time away from the twins to go on this tour with her?” Ace and Sam both looked at me.

I nodded. “Jasmine and Jewel are going to Europe with their mom. She wanted to do it as a just-us-girls thing. Mom and daughters bonding before they’re all grown up and go their own way.

It’s been planned for over a year now, scheduled it with the summer vacation from school.

They’re leaving in a couple of days, so the timing is good for me. ”

“You okay with Beast as your bodyguard?” Ace looked at Piper.

I narrowed my eyes. What he was really asking was if she felt uncomfortable being forced into close proximity with me now that he knew we’d hooked up.

I felt a flash of anger. Ace was not going to send another one of the Riptide guys with her.

“You mean am I okay being shadowed by the big, bad Biker Beast?” She smiled sweetly, the little brat. She knew what Ace was implying, and she knew neither of us were going to voice it in front of her dad. “Yes, I’m good with that. He makes me feel safe.”

“That’s reassuring. When does this tour start?” her dad asked.

“A week from Friday. Starts in a pub in Atlanta and then it swings down to Florida, and across the bottom states.” She grimaced.

“I don’t have the itinerary on me. It was on my phone, the one that got trashed.

I can get another copy from my agent when I call to accept the tour.

We can arrange names and things then too. Lots of people use a stage name.”

“So it’s a done deal? She’s going on tour, and Beast is tagging along as bodyguard?” Ace straightened up and scribbled something down on the pad on his desk.

“Sounds like it.” Sam stood and turned to Piper.

“How about we spend a few days together before you leave on the tour? There’s a spare room in my condo, and we can get you whatever you need in the way of clothes.

You can use my credit card.” He glanced over at me.

“I take it you didn’t go back to retrieve any of her things once you picked her up? ”

I shook my head. “Nope. Lost no time getting as far away from the thugs taking pot shots as we could. Stuff can always be replaced. People, not so much. We picked her up a few things at one of those discount retail stores but only the necessities. It made Wal-Mart look high end. She’ll need a few decent outfits for performing, and some casual clothes for travel.

” I glanced over at Ace. “I’m guessing her place got tossed pretty thoroughly when they realized she’d escaped.

We could send someone to pick up anything with sentimental value, or we could just leave it until this is settled.

As long as the rent is paid, it should be fine. ”

“I don’t have anything I need right away.” Piper sighed. “Never even considered paying the rent.”

“Don’t worry, I can take care of that. I’ll have a cleanup crew sent in as well so it’s in decent shape when you return.” Her father patted her arm.

“They might as well pack it up and put it in storage.” She winced. “I’m never going to feel safe there after this.”

“Are you sure?”

Piper nodded. “Positive. It was just a place to stay, not somewhere I really cared about.”

“Okay then. We’ll have your things put in storage for now. Don’t want to forward it here and risk having someone track it.”

She looked up. “They can do that?”

“More than likely. You don’t want to take the chance.” Ace glanced over at me. “Computer shit can be hacked, and people can be bribed. Unless you really insist, I’d say leave it in storage for now. If we cancel the rent, you will just disappear with no forwarding address.”

Her father spoke up. “I’m not much up on women’s clothing but I’m sure one of the girls at the office can take you shopping. You can have a whole new wardrobe to start off your new life. Make up for all those Christmases and birthdays I’ve missed over the years.”

Piper was starting to look shellshocked. “No offence, but this is all going pretty fast.”

I took pity on her. “I have to take the twins shopping to get some stuff for their trip. I could pick you up and take you with them. They’d love to help you pick out a new wardrobe.”

“They barely know me.”

“Any female under thirty years old who’s willing to discuss clothes and makeup? They’ll be thrilled. How about we go find them and ask them?”

“That sounds great if you really don’t mind.”

Her father nodded. “That’s probably a better plan. No chance anyone will see her and connect her with the Bureau if she’s with a couple of teenagers.”

“So we’re good?” Ace broke in.

Piper looked at me, and my heart melted at the trust I could see in her eyes.

“Yeah,” she said. “We’re good.”

“How about we check with the twins before you take off with your father? Make sure they’re onboard and set up a time.

” I always tried to respect the twins’ right to have choices.

They might not want to share my attention since they were going to be gone for most of the summer.

If they didn’t want to include Piper, I’d just take her shopping later.

She nodded. “Okay.”

I took her hand. “Let’s go then. They should still be up in their room.”

Ace stood. “I’m going to have a word with Shadow. I’ll talk to you two later.”

“I’ll grab a beer and go with you.” Her father left the room right behind Ace.

Piper and I headed back upstairs. We found the twins sitting on the sofa watching a rerun of an old movie. They looked up when we walked in.

“Hey, Dad, what’s up?” Jasmine’s gaze dropped to our clasped hands, and I could see her eyes sparkle. I knew I’d hear about that later.

“Can’t a guy just visit his two favorite girls without a reason?” I tried to look hurt.

They shook their heads in unison. “Nope. You have that look on your face that says there’s a reason.”

I gave Piper’s hand a squeeze. “Fine then. I have a big favor to ask.”

“Does it involve you increasing our allowance?” Jewel grinned.

“No, but it involves shopping.”

“Almost as good, but you’re already taking us shopping.” Jasmine raised one eyebrow. “How is that a favor? Unless you’re bailing on us?”

“I would never back out on spending the day with you two. This is more of an addition to the day.” I glanced over at Piper.

“I’ve been assigned as Piper’s bodyguard for the next little while.

Since she just got here from California, she needs a new wardrobe.

I was hoping you’d be okay with her coming shopping with us this weekend. ”

The girls looked intrigued, and in typical teenage style dove right into plying her with questions.

“How’d you get stuck with an old grump like our dad?” asked Jasmine.

“Right place at the wrong time?” Piper wrinkled her nose.

Jewel laughed. “Sounds about right. How come you need to go shopping? Didn’t you bring clothes with you?”

“I left in kind of a hurry.” Piper shrugged. “And I just accepted a gig, so I need something more glamorous than anything I brought, or anything I own actually.”

“What kind of gig?”

“Lead singer for a band touring the southern states.” A note of pride crept into Piper’s voice.

The twins squealed in excitement, throwing questions at Piper faster than she could answer. The shopping trip was obviously going to be a go. I sure hoped my credit card was up for the challenge.

Twenty minutes later, the twins had relegated me to driver and ATM machine for the shopping trip. As a bonus, they were so excited about getting to go shopping with an honest-to-goodness singer that they forgot to tease me about the handholding thing.