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“Amber.”

My head whipped around, not expecting in the least for Sammy to tell me that.

His eyes met mine. “What?”

“I wasn’t expecting you to actually answer me.”

He shrugged. “It’s not a secret.”

“It kind of is, Sammy. No one calls her by her real name.” It was like our father. No one called him John except for our mother. She had been the only one to get away with it. Everyone else got a fist to the head.

Before I could ask any more about this mysterious woman I had only seen in passing at Rouge, the front door opened.

“Is it safe now?” Sammy asked, rising to his feet.

“It was always safe.” Jaron chuckled.

“We weren’t doing anything,” Piper called out from the kitchen.

“If you weren’t doing anything, then why the hell did you make me wait outside?” Sammy picked up the six-pack of beer off the porch and headed into the house.

“Because even though you’re a grumpy ass, you’re talkative and we needed a moment alone.” Jaron smacked his arm. “Not that I have to explain anything to you.”

“Right.” Sammy grunted. “You should really learn to respect your elders.”

I only shook my head, following them into the house. Closing the door behind me, I clicked the lock into place. I went to join Jaron and Sammy in the living room when I was stopped short by Piper.

“Hey,” I said, because I didn’t know what else to say. She was staring at me like I had stolen a cookie before dinner.

“Hey yourself.” She rubbed her stomach, blowing out a slow breath. “I just wanted to talk to you about something.”

The hackles on the back of my neck rose. “You do?”

“I do,” she murmured, her eyes meeting mine. “I saw you talking to Ainsley and calming her down after her panic attack.”

“You saw that?”

She nodded. “She gets them often and can usually talk herself down.” She paused. “She’s had a hard life, Cyrus.” She scowled, shaking her head. “It’s not my place to say but just don’t be shocked if she wants nothing to do with you or...” She waved her hand between us. “...this.”

“I just met her today, Piper.” I wasn’t sure what she was getting at, but I didn’t like it.

“I know. I’m not warning you against dating her, but I do suggest taking it slow. I also don’t want you getting hurt. That’s all.”

I went up to her and kissed the top of her head. “I appreciate that but I’m a big boy. I can handle it.” And one day, I would love to be able to handle Ainsley. Even just her name could bring me to my knees.

“What’s going on?” Jaron asked, heading to the kitchen.

“Nothing.” I shot Piper a look. I didn’t need them in my business over a woman I had only just met and found hot as fuck. That was all it was. She was beautiful. It wasn’t like I was in love with her or anything. I knew her name and that she didn’t speak. That was it.

Piper sighed, patted my arm, and followed her fiancé into the kitchen.

“Careful, C,” Sammy said from the dining room table. “You might walk in on them doing something.”

“For the last time, we weren’t doing anything.” Piper rolled her eyes. “My back was hurting, so Jaron gave me a massage. It’s cooler out here, so I was sitting on the couch. We didn’t want you to see me topless, if you must know.”

“Does it still hurt?” Sammy asked, concern evident in his voice.

She sighed.