Triple Beat-nook

Triple Beat-nook by Mari Carr




Triple Beat

Mari Carr

Dani was 17 years old when she ran from New Orleans like a thief in the night. With no idea where she was going or how she'd survive, she was certain of just one thing—she'd never again step foot in the Big Easy. Now, time and circumstances have made her a liar. After twelve long years, her beloved foster family, the Lewises, have tracked her down. And so has the very person who drove her away—her father.

Together with her best friends, Aiden and Bryson, Dani is standing at the precipice of success. Their band, Closing Time, has just signed with a major label and their star is on the rise. But Dani can't enjoy any kind of future while constantly looking over her shoulder, waiting for the past to catch up. It's time to return to New Orleans…time to confront the face that's always haunted her nightmares.

Aiden and Bryson have long suspected Dani is hiding something, some dark secret she refuses to confide. When she leaves Nashville without a word, they follow. How can they not? What they feel for her…what they want from her…won't allow them to let Dani face her demons alone. Whether she's ready to believe it or not, over the years, the men have come to know a few things for certain: they're stronger as a trio. And three hearts beat better as one.

Warning: This book contains a painful scene of abuse from 15-year-old Dani's past. Not for the faint of heart.





Prologue


He sat at the end of the bar with his baseball cap pulled low over his face. Not that he needed to worry. The Lewis family had never seen him and even if they had, he looked a lot different now than he used to.

He’d grown a long beard to hide the scar he’d gotten in prison when his cellmate took exception to him stealing a cigarette and came at him with a fork in the cafeteria. They’d done a quick, shitty stitch job in the infirmary, and then sent him back to his cell. His attacker had been moved to other accommodations. Even so, he’d wear the reminder of that poor decision on his face for the rest of his life.

For twelve long years, he’d bided his time, looking for her. He’d done another stint behind bars for assault and battery after he’d beaten the shit out of the arrogant * who’d tried to repossess his car. They’d tacked on a robbery charge after he’d relieved the stupid prick of his wallet. That second time in prison had slowed down his search for her, but he was free again and determined that this time, nothing would stop him.

He took a sip of the beer he’d ordered, keeping his eyes on one man.

Jett Lewis. To the rest of the world, he was a bestselling author. To him, he was a means to an end.

This man was his best chance for finding his missing daughter. For four painstaking months, he’d been following Jett, careful to maintain enough distance that the man never spotted him, while keeping his ears and eyes open for mention of her.

Where Jett was, he was. As a result, he’d become a regular at the Royal Lunch. He’d been here often enough that no one seemed to take much notice of him anymore. Jett was f*cking the bartender, a sexy little brunette he wouldn’t mind sticking it to a time or twenty. Of course, the little money-grubber would never glance his way now that she had her hands on Mr. Big Shot Writer’s cock and bank account.

He glanced around the room, wondering if he was taking too big a risk this time. The place was crowded. Most of the Lewis clan was here, celebrating something. While he didn’t think anyone would recognize him, it would be stupid to blow his cover.

Besides, their happiness was annoying as shit. It was giving him a headache. He’d almost convinced himself to pay the tab and split when another man came in.

Jett visibly stiffed, which caught his attention.

“Who is it?” he heard the bartender slut ask.

Jett didn’t answer her question. Instead, he walked over to greet the man.

His ears perked up when he heard Jett ask, “You found something?”

The stranger nodded and passed over a file folder. Jett opened it, scanning the single sheet of paper inside.

“Is that her?” the stranger asked.

Jett nodded as an old woman—his busybody bitch of a mother—made her way across the room quickly.

“What’s wrong?” Mrs. Lewis asked.

Jett handed his mother the photograph. “It’s Dani, Mama. She’s alive and well and in Nashville.”

The man grinned. Jackpot.

He’d found her.