The farther from civilization they walked, the angrier he grew. Looking out for his best bud’s sister hadn’t been as easy as he’d first thought, but he had no choice. It was what best friends did. If someone hurt either of Cole’s sisters, it was like someone hurt him. Kayden—she’d been the easy one. She was smart when it came to her safety, not to mention frighteningly tough. Piper . . . He sighed. She was a different matter entirely. If things kept heading in the same direction, she’d send him to an early grave. The girl was bright—sometimes too much so. She possessed a rapier wit, but when it came to her safety, she was irresponsible at best, downright reckless at worst. Cole would light her up when he heard about her latest stunt, but it would make no difference. It never did. The girl was as stubborn as the day was long, and Landon feared she’d never learn until it was too late. Granted, he’d probably gone overboard comparing Denny Foster to Ted Bundy, but he’d been trying to drive home a point—being alone with a man in a secluded setting wasn’t smart under any circumstances, especially not on a third date.
