“Call her Piper.NotMrs. Hyde.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
THREE FRIED CHICKENS AND A BABY
LUNA
I’d spent the morning wonderingif I was doing more harm than good by invading Mrs. Hyde’s—Piper’s—space and bringing distressing memories with me. To be fair, she hadn’t seemed put off by the request. True to Rhys’s prediction, she’d sent an enthusiastic response that had included multiple exclamation points.
It’d also included the promise of dessert.
Despite that reassurance and tempting incentive, I’d still worried. My car ride with Rhys hadn’t done much to calm those nerves.
And it wasn’t just because I’d used the opportunity to slide a tiny tracker from my pocket and into a crevice under the mat. The placement was just a precaution if I was going to be riding in his car more than a misgiving about the man himself.
Somehow, though, that hadn’t been the most stressful part of the drive.
His words kept circling through my head, opening doors and possibilities I hadn’t considered.
Possibilities that churned my stomach worse than before.
Possibilities that would suck for a multitude of reasons—including some I didn’t want to think about.
So I didn’t consider them. I focused on what was important.
Doing my job.
As we drove, I kept my gaze alert for any signs of being followed. Of anything suspicious. Of anything off—other than the vibes in the cool car.
Those were very off, but that was mostly my doing.
Rhys flipped on his blinker before pulling into a lot in front of a long building. It looked like it should’ve housed half a dozen stores or businesses, but there were only two signs.
Hyde Garage and Sweets You Rock Bakery.
The oddest combo.
Parking, Rhys killed the engine before looking at me. “Even if you didn’t come today, you’d have seen Piper eventually. She comes into Rye.”
But does she do it with or without her husband is the real question…
“Did she warn you there would be anyone else here?” he asked, but his tone was more than conversational. It was like he was issuing his own warning.
“She mentioned that Harlow might stop by.”
“There’s no might about it. Also assume there will be a rotation of guys from the garage.”
“Why?”
“The place is filled with nosy fuckers.”
“Maybe this isn’t a good idea then. My job is to fly under the radar. Blend in.”
He opened his mouth before snapping it closed again.
I arched a brow. “What?”
“Nothing. You’ll be fine. They know what’s up, and they won’t say anything to fuck with it.”