Page 65 of Trick
King’s lips twitched in amusement. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I just figured I could be a helpful citizen and catch up with my daughter-in-law’s dad at the same time.”
Another sigh came through the line. “Fine. I’ll stop by for achat between in-lawsin about twenty minutes.”
“Sounds good, man. Ella sent a batch of blueberry muffins in with me today, so I’ll even serve you breakfast.”
Randy snorted and told him to have a fresh pot of coffee ready when he got here, too, then disconnected the call.
“You didn’t mention that you brought muffins for everyone,” Bull grumbled.
“That’s because I didn’t. The box is in my office. Ella made them for Lauren and Trick, but I figured they could spare a few for one of Indy’s finest.”
I smirked at Bull, then told King to thank his wife for me.
“I’m not looking forward to telling Lauren about Dustin. I’m sure she’ll be devastated and will probably feel guilty as hell. I’d like to avoid having her talk to Randy if at all possible.”
“She’s not going to be able to tell him anything that will help him, so I don’t see the need to drag her into it. I think I canget him to agree, especially if I play up how traumatized she’s been already,” King answered.
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“She’s not going into the studio, right?”
“No. She’s staying here today, and tomorrow, too, unless we can track that fucker’s whereabouts.”
“Good,” King replied. “The safest place for her is right here on the compound for now.”
They both wished me luck in telling Lauren about Dustin as I left Bull’s office. I grabbed a few muffins from the box on King’s desk and detoured to the kitchen to make my protein shake as well as a cup of coffee for Lauren, then headed back to the room.
“This is gonna fuckin’ suck,” I muttered.
Chapter 20
Lauren
I gave up on the idea of going back to sleep after Trick left to meet with Bull and hopped in the shower instead, hoping it would make me feel a little more ready to face the day. I dressed in jeans and a T-shirt that said, “Audiobooks are real books”and had just finished drying my hair when Trick came back into the room. He was bearing coffee and muffins, plus a protein shake that I sincerely hoped was for him, and not me.
The muffins looked incredible…almost as good as a shirtless Trick wearing only a pair of blue jeans riding low on his hips.
He greeted me with a distracted peck on the cheek, then set everything down on the small table in front of the loveseat.
“Ella sent some muffins for us, darlin’,” he said quietly as he picked up the shake and downed a huge gulp of it.
By the time I’d finished a muffin and half of my coffee, it was obvious that something was very wrong. Trick made it a point to look everywhere but at me and brushed aside my questions about his meeting with Bull, telling me it could wait until after we ate.
I finally set my cup down and demanded answers.
“Would you please just tell me already? The longer you avoid the subject, the more anxious I’m feeling.”
He sighed, then reached for my hand, gently squeezing it as he told me about the threat from Beau, and Dustin’s attack, assuring me that he would be OK.
“The doctors said they think he’ll make a full recovery.”
My stomach heaved, and I was afraid I was going to be sick. I clasped my hand over my mouth and tried to hold back the bile rising in my throat.
“Breathe, darlin’,” Trick coaxed, scooting toward me so he could rub my back. “Nice deep breaths…in and out, just like that.”
“This is all my fault,” I whispered, only to have Trick grip my chin and turn my face toward his. His expression was fierce as he shook his head.
“No, it’s not, and I don’t want you feeling guilty. The only one to blame here is Beau, and we’ll take care of his ass soon.”
