He had mentioned taking care of things last night, but she hadn’t been fully processing things, and she hadn’t realized the guy meant he was going on a shopping spree for her. “I’ll talk to your team, and then I’ll go pick up supplies that I need.” Luckily, her car hadn’t been caught in the fire. There was some ash on the side, but otherwise, the vehicle appeared fine. She pulled away from Ben, dug into her purse, and closed her fingers around the keys. “I’ll meet you at your office.” She gave both Ben and Eric brisk nods before she turned and headed for her car.

Eric’s crew had taken the car away on a tow truck during the night—after the fire-fighters had put out the blaze. They’d checked the vehicle and given it the all clear before bringing it back to the scene.

The little red convertible waited in her driveway, black marking its side.

At least she still had her car. It was good to go. She had her car. She had her life. She had her business.

The bastard out there—he wasn’t going to destroy her. She wouldn’t let him.

***

“Want to tell me what in the hell is going on?” Ben demanded as Piper climbed into her convertible. The top was up, so Piper was concealed when she slid inside.

Eric spared his brother a fast glance. “I’m going to hunt the man who did this.” He wouldn’t sugar coat with Ben. “This is bad, Ben. Fucking worse than I can say. I’ve worked cases—shit, this level of fury doesn’t usually manifest so quickly.”

Ben’s fierce expression wavered.

“He torched her home. He came to this place with the accelerant. If she’d been there…” Eric didn’t want to think of it. “I’m putting a guard on her. I don’t want her going anywhere without someone watching her.”

Ben retreated a step. “That’s why you want her at your house? To watch her?” But he nodded before Eric could reply. “Makes sense. God, I didn’t…” He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “How can I help? What can I do?”

Get out of my way, Ben. I need to follow her, now. “Call me when you’re done at court. You know Piper better than anyone else.” A truth that annoyed him.

And gutted him.

Ben just nodded. “Yes.”

“You can tell me about her other friends. Her lovers.” Assholes I might need to take down. “Anyone who might have a personal grudge against her.”

His brother seemed confused. “She can tell you all of that stuff.”