Page 176 of Lost Lyrebird

“Aww, Bodie.”I pat his chest again.“I love you.”

He throws his arm around my shoulder.Looking down at me, he says, “I love you, too.You know we’re gonna be tight, right?Like a throuple, me, you, and Goose.”

He cuts me off before I can say a word, placing his fingers over my lips this time.“Platonic throuple.I mean… you two are going to fuck like bunnies, but I’ll be that third wheel to your love fest that’s clinging on to you both like a motherfucker.”

I wrap my arm around his waist.“I have absolutely no doubt.”

“Good.Just wanted to make that clear.”Reaching up, he twists his ball cap backwards.“Alright, I’m in.Whatever it is, I’m your guy.”His grin turns mischievous, that gleam returning to his eyes.“But you better make it worth my while.You know how boring it is around here without Goose.I have shit all to do.Apparently, babysitting his ass was the highlight of my day.”

“Trust me, this isn’t gonna be boring.”I let a grin slip, matching his energy.“And if you play your cards right, I might even take you out for ice cream afterward.Like a good boy.”My voice dips low, teasing.

Bodie’s eyes light up with amusement.“Oh ho!You had me at ice cream, but asking me to be a good boy?Now you’ve gone too far.”

I laugh, and he flashes a broad smile, his dimples cutting deep into his cheeks.

“So give me the deets,” Bodie says, his smile fading like he’s ready for whatever chaos comes next.

Taz seems to be reading my lips with how hard he’s focused on my face.“Not here.”

Bodie grabs my hand and begins leading me out of the clubhouse.I trail after him, trying to keep up with his quick pace.

“I’m gonna need your real name so I can—” He covers his mouth, coughs, and mumbles under his breath, “Track down this sister just to make sure she’s, you know, not in any danger.Like, a distant bodyguard situation, if needed.”

“Oh God.I created a monster.”

He nods.“Yes, you sure in the fuck did.”

“It’s Lilian Bennett, by the way.”

“Lilian.I like that.Like a lioness, which suits you.So, Lilian, where are you from?”

I point at him.“That’s for me to know and you to find out.If you’re good and I can trust that you won’t go looking for my little sister.”

He laughs and waves me off.His carefree charm is back in full force, but beneath the easy smiles and jokes, I can sense the seriousness lurking there.He might play around, but I know when it counts, he’s got my back.And for what I’m about to do, that’s exactly what I need.

In the parking lot next to my car, I fill him in.The laughter drains from his face so fast it’s like watching a switch flipping.Gone is the comedian, and in his place is the Army Ranger I’ve only heard stories about—the man who saved Finn’s life when their Humvee hit a roadside bomb.His face has morphed into one with determination.His eyes blaze with fury, and every muscle on his body is taut.It’s a side of Bodie people rarely see—the lethal side.The protective motherfucker underneath all the womanizing is a good man.

His movements are sharp and deliberate as he mounts his dark purple motorcycle.The comic book character painted on the tank is what gave me the idea for tonight, and I can’t wait to see what he makes of my plans once he hears them.

The engine growls to life beneath him like a beast ready to be unleashed.

Knowing Finn is doing his part—slogging through detox and rehab—I need to do mine.He’ll be ready for answers soon, and I’m going to make damn sure I have them, no matter what.

The apartment building is so much nicer than I remember it.The fact that Finn owns it makes me feel protective of not only the place but the occupants.So setting fire to it is not an option, not when a half dozen of his tenants call it home and Finn himself has updated it from the derelict relic it used to be.

From where I parked down the street, I can’t help but wonder how his old landlord stayed under Finn’s radar for so long, and how many women the creep has taken advantage of in that time.

I flip down the visor and start pinning my hair back.My hands move with purpose.Bodie roars up behind me and jumps into the passenger seat of my car just as I start adjusting the wig over my hair.I take out a brush from my bag and comb through the pigtails, then tuck away any remaining strands of my own hair.

I glance at him to see what he makes of this.His face is set in a bewildered expression—until he sees me pull out the clown makeup.His eyes light up with pure glee.

“Well, fuck.This is not what I was expecting.”He lets out a low whistle.“You sure as hell make life interesting, Lil.”

I force a smile, feeling my nerves buzzing under my skin, but Bodie’s infectious grin makes it easier.

“I brought stuff for you too, if you’re up for it?”I gesture to the bag in the back, and his eyes practically sparkle.

“Really?”He grabs it and sets it on his lap, pulling out the items like a kid on Christmas morning.His laugh echoes through the car, pure and uninhibited.“Oh my god, how did you know?The clown makeup makes so much more sense now.”