Page 12 of Quid Pro Beau

I glare at him.

“NOW!”

I reluctantly lower myself into the chair behind me. I cross my arms over my chest. I know my legs are shaking. It’s one of the main reasons I was pacing. This much adrenaline needs some kind of outlet. But sitting here, it’s just gonna rattle through my legs.

“You gonna talk or just stare at me?” I ask.

“I’m trying to decide how fucked you actually are.”

“I don't know what you’re talking about.”

He spins his wedding band around his finger. “A brother’s warning means something,” he begins.

I'm about to say something but he holds his hand up to silence me.

“But it doesn't mean everything.”

I open my mouth, then close it.

“I’ve known you a long damn time, Beau. I've seen you with women and they've never meant more than a good time to you. Correct me if I'm wrong.”

“You're not,” I admit.

He nods. “I was the exact same. Until I wasn't. Until Shelby. Oh, I tried to one and done her—made my pretty girl cry. But I came to my senses, thankfully before I'd fucked everything up beyond repair.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“In case you need someone in your corner.”

I narrow my eyes at him.

“If you find that the protectiveness you feel for Daisy isn't so brotherly, then I can help.”

“Help with what, exactly?”

He steeples his hands under his chin, and he looks like he's either going to ask me to help with world domination or he's about to drop some wisdom on my ass.

“I know you just met her. And I know she's carrying another man's baby. And she's one of OUR unit member’s younger sister. That's a whole hell of a lot of uncertainty. I wouldn't have wanted any of you fuckers near my sister, Daphne. Well, except maybe Evan, he’s a sweet kid. But I know you, brother, and there's a different look in your eyes when it comes to Daisy Harrington. I'm not saying something is happening between y’all. What I am saying is if things move in that direction. If you’re ready for something real, something long term. And if she'll have you. I'll help.”

I stare at my friend that I've known for years. I wait for some smart-ass remark to bubble out of my mouth, but nothing comes. So I just nod, and say, “Thank you.”

“I think for the time being, we should keep Daisy's whereabouts just between us. That's not the kind of thing Flynn needs to hear about when he's up to his eyeballs with legal nonsense.”

“Agreed.”

Dane stands and holds his hand out to me.

I shake it, then turn to go. But I pause.

“Is it worth it?” I ask, without turning around.

“Is what worth it?”

This time I do glance over my shoulder. “Marriage. The wife, family, cohabitation, all of that?”

“With the right person?” Dane nods. “Absolutely.”

chapter seven