The Chase

Seth shot him a dirty scowl. “The fuck ‘we’ do. I won’t have you putting yourself in danger again. I fucking can’t—”

He vaulted out of his seat with a growl, frame taut, fists clenched. Everything about his demeanor waved red flags in Beck’s face.

When Heavenly reared back, Beck forced a laugh. “Maybe understand is a strong word. The truth is, I know some damn good cardiologists, but my heart can’t take a repeat of your disappearance. Neither can his. How about next time, you tell us what you need. We’ll do our best to help without stepping on your toes.”

Guilt shadowed her eyes. “I just didn’t want to—”

“If you say burden us again, I’ll take you over my goddamn knee,” Seth warned, finger raised. “Promise me.”

She scowled. “I have managed to make it twenty-three years without being kidnapped, raped, or murdered. And you don’t own me.”

Beck didn’t love her answer, but when Seth’s eyes blazed and his nostrils flared, he knew shit was about to hit the fan.

He launched to his feet and grabbed Seth by the shirt before glancing back at Heavenly. “Give us a second.” Then he hauled the PI out by the pool. “Are you out of your fucking mind? You and your tantrum are shoving her out the door.”

Seth bristled. “I’m not trying to. I just want her to promise—”

“She’s not going to. We wouldn’t even be talking to her now if Gloria hadn’t called.”

The big guy whirled away and paced. “She promised you—”

“Yeah, to communicate. It’s an easy promise to make, especially when she hasn’t said whether she’s even coming back. But you’re hell-bent on chaining her down now. You’re not her daddy and you’re not her Dom. You need to back off until she’s ready to commit. If she’s ever ready.”

Seth scrubbed a hand down his face. “Do you even know how fucking horrific it is when a loved one is there one day and taken abruptly from you the next? I can’t go through that again, man.”

He clapped Seth on the back. His father’s death must have fucked him up bad… “I’m sure. But we stand a better chance of winning her back if we stop demanding and start negotiating. You know the old saying, it’s easier to catch flies with honey than vinegar?”

Seth glared at him in disgust. “My mom says shit like that.”

“Because it’s true. Now stop being an overbearing prick and maybe ask her to keep you apprised, huh?”

Shrugging off his touch, Seth sighed. “Fine. Just fuck off.”

“No more tirades?”

Seth rolled his eyes. “No more tirades.”

“Good.” He reached for the patio door. “I don’t know what this world is coming to when I’m the one keeping the peace.”

They reached the family room again to find Heavenly finishing the last of her java, apology on her face. “Seth, I never meant to worry you, but I am a grown woman. You can’t dictate what I do. You know that, right?”

“We know,” Beck assured.

“Do we?” She looked past him and focused on Seth.

He still didn’t look happy. “Yeah. Will you at least let us get you a plane ticket to Wisconsin and a dependable rental car?”

She hesitated. “I’ve never been on an airplane.”

Of course she hadn’t. Beck frowned. “Are you afraid?”

“Jumping off the bridge with you was way scarier, but it doesn’t matter. I can’t accept because I can’t pay you back.”

That set Beck’s teeth on edge. “We don’t expect you to. The money isn’t important.”

“Your safety is,” Seth ground out. “I’d be damn grateful if you didn’t give me another ulcer.”

“Are you sure?”