Page 10 of Tarnished Hands (Chained Hearts Duet #7)

Chapter Ten

EZRA

Me: Piper. Answer.

I t’s a simple text. I’ve tried calling Piper several times, and she hasn’t picked up once. I have a feeling she knows it’s me and is refusing to admit it.

Me: I’ll see you soon.

I wait to see if she replies. Again, nothing.

I’m locking up the shop when Joey pulls up. He gets out of the car, which is an old Mustang, and throws the keys to me.

“She’s a beauty,” I say. I like to call my old tough, pretty cars ladies.

“Yep. Think you can make her even prettier?” he asks, tapping the hood. “I got her for the wife, but she’s a little broken now.”

“Of course.” I step back and open the bay doors to roll it in for the night. “How’s Piper?” I ask. When he doesn’t answer, I glance back at him, and he’s watching me.

“Why are you asking me that?” His face is serious, and I wonder if I shouldn’t have asked. These men are scary. But what’s more terrifying is not getting to see that little vixen again.

“She’s ignoring me.”

“Yes, we heard. You ran off after another woman.”

I pause, my hands falling to my sides. “I did. But not in that way. She was my employee, and I wanted to ensure she didn’t press charges.” She hasn’t, which, once she calmed down, I figured she wouldn’t.

“Charges wouldn’t have stuck,” Joey tells me casually. “They have to be able to find Piper first.” He winks. “You do know how deadly she is, right? Have you checked on your employee?” He smiles as another car pulls up, then gives me a simple nod before he walks off.

Why would I need to check on Lydia?

Granted, she hasn’t been to work for a few days, but I assumed she was taking time away from the shop to get herself together.

Plus, I plan to fire her.

She thinks we’re something more than we are, and I can’t have that.

Pulling the car inside, I close up shop and call Lydia on my way out. She doesn’t answer, so I call again.

“Please stop calling,” she says when she picks up.

“You haven’t called in sick,” I say.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I quit.”

“Okay.” Well, that was easy.

“Can you tell her? That I quit. Please?”

“Tell who?” And I already know who she’s referring to before she tells me.

“Your girlfriend. Tell her I quit.” Lydia hangs up without another word.

I press call on Piper’s number. She doesn’t answer. I have no idea where she lives. The only address I have is what I assume is Keir’s.

I guess I’ll be paying him a visit.

* * *

“You have some balls. I like it,” Lucas says as he opens the door before I can even knock. He chuckles as he passes me on his way out.

“Why are you here?” I turn around to see Keir standing there.

“Hey.” I nod. “You happen to know where Piper is?”

“Why?” he asks. Keir is a large man, but I’m just a little taller than he is, and larger. I wouldn’t say I hold the same energy as him, but he doesn’t intimidate me the way I think he should.

“I need to speak to her.”

“Piper.”

“Hey.” A blonde pops her head around Keir’s shoulder and offers me her hand. “I’m Sailor, Keir’s wife. I have heard so much about you. Come in, have a drink.”

“We don’t invite strangers in, darling. Or have you forgotten?” he growls. She smiles up at him.

“He isn’t a stranger, and you know it. Last time, you told me you cleaned a body out of a car at his shop.”

“I didn’t tell you that.”

“Oh, someone did. So anyway, come in.” She waves me inside.

“I’m dirty, and I would hate to ruin your furniture. If someone could tell Piper I need to speak to her, that would be great.” I’m about to leave when Sailor’s voice stops me.

“She’s inside. Why don’t you tell her yourself?”

“Fucking hell, Sailor.” I look back to find Keir shaking his head at Piper’s voice.

“Piper, that’s my wife,” he scolds.

“Yeah, and? She’s my best friend and just sold me out.” Keir walks away, and Sailor holds the door open.

“Come in, please.” I don’t need to be asked twice.

I step into a beautiful foyer. Their house is a brownstone and it’s incredible.

I follow Sailor past neutral walls and flowers decorating tables to find Piper sitting on a couch, her boots off and her feet tucked under her ass.

It takes her a moment to look at me, and when she does, she eyes me warily, not saying a word.

“I’ve been messaging you. I must have the wrong number,” I tell her.

“No, it’s the right one.” Piper shrugs.

“So, you’re choosing not to reply?”

“Yep.”

“Why?” She looks away, and I want to put my hand on her chin and force her to turn those black eyes back to me. I never want them off of me. “Why?” I ask again.

“You should go home. You’re interrupting family time.”

“I was invited in,” I remind her.

“Traitor,” she says under her breath to Sailor.

“Piper,” I say her name again, and when she doesn’t answer, I walk straight over to her until I’m in her direct line of sight. Leaning down, I eye her, and she avoids my gaze. “We can’t play this game forever.” That’s when her gaze moves back to me.

“You may be playing, but I checked out.” She smiles, and it’s one of those fuck-you smiles that lifts the corner of her mouth.

“You’re such a pretty little liar, dear,” I say, my tongue darting out and gliding over my bottom lip. Black eyes watch the action, and before she can stop me, I reach out and haul her over my shoulder.

“Bathroom is the second door on the right,” Sailor calls out.

“Put me down,” Piper growls.

“No.” I open the second door, kicking it shut with my boot and locking it behind us before blocking the door with my body. I slide her down until she’s back on her feet.

“Hello, my little hell kitten.” And before I can say anything else, she pounces.