Gator lifted his hands in surrender. “So that’s how it is.”
Saint flipped him off before Beth could respond, and at that exact moment, her father walked in from his office.
Instead of yanking his knee away, Saint kept it pressed against hers under the table. Of course, her father had no idea, but it was still a risk. Still, she didn’t freak out again. Something about him, his touch, helped even her out.Did she do the same for him?
God, she hoped so.
“Morning, kiddo,” Copper said as he strode over.
“Hey, Dad. You and Mom have a good night?”
He nodded as he dropped into the empty chair beside Gator. “We did. Watched that new comedy your mom’s been wanting to see.”
Beth grinned. She loved how, despite Copper being a huge, tough-as-nails MC president, he’d bend over backward to make his wife happy, including spending his night watching a rom-com, which he hated. But Shell loved them, and what Shell wanted, Copper delivered.
“What’s your plan for the day?”
She shot her dad a suspicious glance as she set the knife down. “Why? Are you planning on having someone follow me everywhere I go?”
He shrugged. “Haven’t decided yet.”
“Well, let me make the decision for you. That’s a big, fatno way.”
“Beth…” She shook her head at her father.
Saint frowned. “Beth…”
“Nope.” She pointed back and forth between the two of them. “You are not ganging up on me about this. Not happening. I have a job interview with a grooming salon in town, and I willnothave one of you guys sitting outside the shop, intimidating the hell out of some poor salon owner.”
“Beth, they’ll be discreet,” Copper said. “This isn’t our first rodeo.”
“No.”
“You’re not interviewing at The Barking Beautician, are you?” Gator asked without any comment about her safety. Beside her, Saint practically vibrated with what she assumed was the need to shove her in a locked box and throw away the key.
She cringed. “Yes. That name is awful, but they’re the only game in town. They’re new, and they’re hiring.”
“Huh. Heard they kinda suck.”
“Jesus, Gator,” Saint muttered. “Way to be supportive.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ve heard the same thing, but I need a job.”
“No, you don’t.” Copper stroked his beard. “We said you could stay at home for as long as you like. There’s no rush.”
Well, I’m sleeping with one of your enforcers, and I sure can’t do that at your house, so there kinda is a rush.
“Dad, I’m used to my own place. I miss the independence,” she said instead. “I miss working too. You know I enjoyed my job.”
“I know. I just like having you at home,” he muttered, face reddening.
She grinned. “Me too.” Nothing but a big old sap, her dad was.
“Wow, this is really touching.” Gator sighed and rested his chin on his hand as he fluttered his lashes.
Copper smacked him on the back of the head.
“Ow! What the hell? It was a compliment.”
