Page 14 of Tarnished Hands (Chained Hearts Duet #7)

Chapter Fourteen

EZRA

S he’s gone when I wake.

Piper slept on top of me all night. I know because, at one stage, I woke up wondering why I had a raging hard-on, and it was because it knew she was right there. I didn’t want to move because her soft snores were way too cute to wake her. At some point, she rolled off, and now she’s gone.

Standing, I find a note on the table next to the bed.

Thanks for the sex. Show yourself out, and don’t come back.

I want to laugh. Show myself out. I look around to find that she is somewhat of a neat freak. I wonder if when she comes into my shop, she finds it annoying that tools and shit are scattered everywhere.

Going straight for the shower, I wash and then find my clothes folded up on the kitchen counter. After dressing, I open Piper’s pantry and see everything in order and labeled. Looking in the refrigerator, I find the same.

Grabbing the bacon and eggs, I locate the frying pan just as the front door opens.

“Why are you still here?” Piper asks, walking in with a coffee. Her gaze falls to what’s in my hand. “Are you cooking with my stuff?”

“Yes. Are you hungry?” She holds up the coffee in her hand. “That’s not food. Sit. I’ll cook.”

“I only allow you to tell me what to do in the bedroom,” she grumbles, but then does as I say. I smirk as I turn back and put the bacon in the pan. “Did you see my note?”

“I did. You need better etiquette on how to host guests,” I reply.

“I hate guests.” I look over my shoulder at her to see that she’s watching me like a hawk. Her leg is pouncing up and down as if she’s nervous.

“Is this annoying you?” I ask, nodding to what I’m doing.

“Yes, a little.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve been on my own for a while, and I like it that way.”

“Who are the people on the fridge door?” I ask, motioning to the picture of the two men.

“My brother and my father. My brother is dead.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, he brought it on himself. Turned his back on the family, so he died.” She shrugs.

“He was still your brother.”

Something passes over her face before she looks away. “The kids are Keir’s kids. They are the best.” She smiles softly.

“I take it you don’t invite them over often?” I chuckle and continue cooking.

“No. I’d rather go there. I like their place. Sailor is clean, and she’s my best friend.”

“She seems nice,” I say.

Mental note— I must remember to thank Sailor the next time I see her for telling me Piper’s address.

“She is. When I came back into this world, Sailor was the first to accept me. She knew how badly I wanted to prove myself and was my cheerleader in every sense of the word.”

“Sounds like a good friend.”

“Yeah, she was until she betrayed me.” I remove the bacon and crack an egg into the pan.

“Betrayed you?” I ask, confused.

She waves a hand at me. “Yes, she gave you information on me. I consider that a betrayal,” Piper says grumpily, causing me to smile. And if I’m not mistaken, there’s a hint of one ghosting her lips, too.

“How do you like your eggs?” I ask.

“Running. Something you should do.”

“I’m content not to.”

“Of course you are.”

I find the plates, dish up her food, and place hers in front of her. “I can say my dinner was delicious, and I hope breakfast is as good.”

“Dinner?”

“Yes, you.” I wink at her, and she looks away, shaking her head. I watch as she stares at her food.

“I can’t eat it.”

“Why, is it not runny enough?” I look down and find it’s fine.

“It’s touching.”

“Touching?”

She points to the bacon, which is touching the eggs.

“Oh.” I get it. I reach for her plate and take it away. She doesn’t say anything. I cook what would have been my egg how she likes it and make sure nothing is touching when I plate it up. I set the plate down in front of her. She doesn’t say thank you, but she does eat it.

“Before you leave, put everything back where it was,” she says as she bites into a piece of bacon. I watch her eat, fascinated with her mouth.

“I will.”

“Do you know how to use a knife?” she asks. “Or a gun?”

“Yes, and yes. My father was a sharpshooter. I’m a damn good shot too.”

“So why do you fix cars?”

“You’d prefer me to go out and kill people?”

Piper shrugs her shoulders. “Would be easier.”

“What would be?” I question.

“If you were a little more…” She thinks for a moment, then whispers, “Bad.”

“You don’t think I’m bad enough?” I ask, leaning into her personal space.

Piper looks up at me as she chews her food. “You’re a nice guy.”

“You think I’m nice?” I smirk, and she rolls her eyes.

“Trust you to take that as a compliment.” She stares at her food.

“Would you like it if I cut people up for a living, possibly killed someone because they looked at you wrong?”

“Yes,” she says without hesitation.

“Can’t say I would kill someone.” My hand slides around her throat, and I tilt her head back so she has to look up at me. “But if another man ever touches you, I’m an excellent shot.”

“Talk dirty to me.” She breathes, her chest heaving. I can’t help but lean down and kiss her lips.

“I knew you loved it.” I let her go and then tidy my mess before I leave. “I’ll be back tonight,” I tell her, putting my shoes on.

“Don’t.”

“Be ready by eight. I want to go out.”

I don’t give her time to argue as I stride out the door.