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Chloe whipped her head around to look at Z, who decided a little too late to keep his mouth shut. “What did you just say?” Turning her head, she looked between Jake and me. I saw the flash of pain in her eyes before it was replaced by anger.

When she stepped closer to me, I held out my hand again as the men shifted. Even with my heels, she was still four inches taller. I wasn’t afraid or intimidated, though. I’d been around enough mean girls to know what she was.

Sad.

“Enjoy the wild ride while you have it. You can’t give him what he likes. And since he’s been talking to me all week, he obviously knows that. Once he gets bored of you, he’ll be back with me where he belongs, doing what he should be doing. No more being stupid. No more wasting his life with these losers and this fuckin’ bullshit.”

I punched her. Right in the face.

She crumbled to the ground with a pained cry.

Bending down, I got in her space as I vibrated with anger. “Don’t you ever, and I meanever, talk shit aboutmyman ormyboys,” I bit out, my voice low and raspy. “You wanna lash out at me? Fine. But if you ever talk like that about them again, you’ll regret it. And that’s a promise.”

I rose up as Chloe stood and then took a tiny step towards me. “Who—”

“You wanna keep going, feel free. I used my last shred of control not pulling you up so I could hit you again. SinceJakewent through all the work of setting up this spot so he could see me more, I’m thinking it wouldn’t be a good idea to get blood all over the place. But if you’d like to push this, I’ll be happy to.”

Stepping back, she turned to face Jake. “I hope you’re happy with your choices, Jake. Not only is she too young for you, she’s crazy. You can’t seriously want to be with someone like this.”

“Fuck yeah, I do,” Jake rumbled. “I told you to leave. Multiple times. I should call Frederick and have him come remove you, includin’ tellin’ him why you’re here in the first place. But if you’re like this when you’ve got a man, I hate to think how you’d be when he dumped your ass. Now I’m more inclined to let my woman remove you herself.”

“You’re making a huge mistake, Jake.” Chloe looked my way, her eyes going wide as I stepped towards her. Turning, she rushed from the room.

“I’m gonna make sure she leaves without making another fucking scene,” Z said, following her.

Jake came over to me but I turned away.

Placing the scones and sweet cream on the table, I asked, “Anyone want coffee?”

“Sweets, come here.”

“Now isnota good time, Jake.”

“Piper, what she said about you—”

Putting my hands on my hips, I let out a humorless laugh. “I don’t care about that, Jake. Biker bitches might do it well, but rich bitches do it better. Her running her mouth? That was nothing. That was white noise. I didn’t care ‘til she started talking shit about my boys.No onedoes that.” There was a fierceness in my voice that I hoped they heard. “I’ve gotta get to work. I’m running behind schedule.”

“Okay.” Jake lowered his lips to mine.

For the first time since we became us, I let him without returning the kiss.

Like most everything else, Jake didn’t miss it. Pulling back, he looked down at me. “I’m… I’ll… See ya, babe,” he muttered. His body was stiff as he turned and walked out the door.

Key grabbed a scone. “Thanks, Piper. These are my favorite.”

“I know.” I attempted a smile. “That’s why they’re here.”

He gave me a wide smile before heading to the garage.

Best compliment ever.

“You okay, Pipe?” Kase asked when we were alone. His eyes searched my face.

“Yeah, I’m good. The adrenaline wearing off means my hand hurts now, though. How do people do that all the time?” I wiggled my fingers to try to ease the tightness at my knuckles.

As I pulled ingredients out, I began second guessing my decision to bring so many of my supplies.

First day working in the kitchen here and I already wish I had an exit strategy?