“I’m sorry. It’s a bad habit. I’m used to having everything perfect,” I admit, not wanting to get into it with him over the mug. The truth is, it’s the least I can do after everything Beau has done for me.

“Well, break those habits, darlin’. You don’t have to clean up after me. I can look after my own shit.”

“It’s really no problem, Beau. I have free time.”

“Not arguing with you on this.” He steps around me to fill his mug, ultimately ending the conversation.

“Are you always like this in the morning?” I ask, not really sure what the big deal is. His kitchen is clean. What’s the issue? Chad always expected a spotless kitchen and if it wasn’t, he sure would let me know about it.

“Only when I haven’t had coffee in my favorite mug.” He takes a sip from his basic black coffee mug and moans briefly.

Jesus.

“Are you feeling better now?” I ask after few minutes of letting him get acquainted with his coffee.

“Getting there,” he mumbles taking another sip.

“Good, you can thank me later for tidying up your kitchen.” I nod then make my way back to the bathroom, hearing his grumbling about how I’m gonna be the death of him.

“Oh, and if you think the kitchen is too organized, I’m just going to go ahead and apologize in advance for the junk room,” I shout my reply and then quickly flick my dryer on, blasting out whatever he has to say.

He can’t be angry. I’m only helping him out in the long run.

Right? Right.

Twelve

Beau

“You have her at your place? What the fuck are you thinking, Beau?” Tiny asks the following week at Fireside Bar. He called a meet after finding out we had moved Mackenzie in with me.

Tiny acquired his name ‘cause of his size. The guy stands at six-foot-nine. A real big fucker. He’s been a friend of the club dating back to when my dad was VP. He’s had his hands in a lot of things. Ex- military, former cop, he’s also the guy who started this whole gig with helping abused women. I came on board two years ago knowing it was something I wanted to do to honor Missy. At first it was pick-ups, drop-offs and a few recoveries, like Mackenzie’s situation, but then it turned into something bigger. Something I wanted to fully commit myself to.

“Yeah, well it was either with me or have her living in some shitty apartment in a fucked-up neighborhood where he could easily manipulate his way in.”

“What’s to say he’s not gonna come knocking on your door, boy? This is fuckin’ wrong and you know it.” He shakes his head, and I have to give it to him, he’s not as pissed as I thought he would be.

Ever since Mackenzie has been back, Tiny’s wanted to move her into one of his safe houses to ensure she was protected. But I would have no part in his plan. She came to me for help. I wasn’t going to palm her off.

“He comes to my house, I’ll have my Beretta ‘92 waiting for him.” Tiny doesn’t reply but I can see his mind ticking over what I just said. “If you’re so worried, you put a man on her. Keep her in your sights.” I finish my beer and keep an eye on the clock above the bar.

“You don’t have men on her? What the fuck, Beau? You’re meant to be fucking helping.”

“You think I’m stupid? Of course I have eyes on her, asshole. But if you want your own set of eyes on her, then fine, I’ll give you that, but she’s not leaving my place to be holed up in some fucking cheap unit where he can find her again.” I give him a long look, telling him I’m still pissed she was found in the first place.

“Don’t look at me like that. I have no fucking idea how he found her. For all we know, it was the missing friend. She could have tipped him off.”

“It wasn’t her. She didn’t even know she was in Ohio. The last time she spoke to her she was in Phoenix.”

“Well, he obviously had someone working on it. I don’t know.” I’m pissed at his blasé reply.

“Well, maybe your fail safe fucking system isn’t working well,” I call him out.

“You have your head messed up on this one, brother.” He ignores my look and gives me his opinion.

“Only thing messed up here is that this fucker hasn’t been found yet. Until he is, she’s staying with me. Simple.” I drop a twenty on the table to cover my two beers and stand.

“And when you have another call out? You’re just gonna leave her as an open target?” He drops his own twenty on the table and stands with me. “You know I’m about done with this shit. I’m ready to hand it all over. I need to know you’re serious about coming on board.” I know he’s worried about this, but he also knows my reasons why I do this. He loved Missy like his own daughter. But he has nothing to worry about. Yeah, I might want in Mackenzie’s pants. But she’s the only one. I’m not some fucking sick fuck who wants to fix every broken woman I help.

“I told you, I have eyes on her. My commitment is still the same, Tiny. Don’t fucking make it a problem. Now, I gotta head out. You have anything for me to work with?” We’re coming up to two months since Mackenzie has been back and not one fucker in this town nor a marker out of town has seen Chad fucking Morre.

“It’s like he’s dropped off the face of the earth. Same with the friend. Friends and family say she moved away, left no forwarding address.”