Page 14 of Playing With Piper

“Makes sense. He’s a bit of a dick,” Blade shrugs. We’re still doing no context? Great. The guy on the bed mumbles something through the cloth placed in his mouth, and it causes Blade to roll his eyes. I clap my hands together and slowly back away.

“Okay… Blade, I’m gonna have to ask you one more time. Alright, honey? Whatthe fuckis happening right now,” I say slowly. I feel like I’m speaking to a child with selective listening. Holy shit.

“Oh, right! We’re gonna kill him!” Blade grins. My forehead hurts from how much I’m straining right now.

“I’m sorry. We’re gonna what?” I wait for Blade to repeat himself because there’s absolutely no way he just proposed something this unhinged.

Sure, we’d talked about getting revenge, but part of me assumed it was post-orgasm nonsense. He can’t be serious about this. Then again, given the recent events, I don’t think Blade has ever been one to give up on his dreams.

“We’re gonna kill my brother, Piper,” Blade says smoothly, still harboring a small smile.

“And we’re gonna kill him… why?” I say slowly, taking another small step away from Blade.

“Hey, no. Don’t do that. Don’t be scared of me, please. You just gotta listen to me, Piper,” Blade says with a frown. I stop my movements. I’m never afraid of Blade. I don’t think I have it in me because I’m sure that he’s the only person who could ever make me feel safe.

“I’m not scared. Just confused and a little rattled,” I answer calmly, lifting my hands up defensively. In surrender. Because I’d always surrender to him.

“He’s the reason we’re in this mess,” Blade tells me.

“What are you–”

“He’s the one who got me shot, Piper.”

Chapter Twelve

Piper

“Let me get this straight,” I say, holding one hand out while the other rests on my hip. I close my eyes for a moment so I can wrap my head around what the hell Blade just said.

“You’re saying that yourbrotheris the guy who shot you?” I ask incredulously. Blade tilts his head.

“No, I said he’s the one who got me shot. Not that he did it. Motherfucker is too much of a pussy to do it himself, so he hired someone else to do it. Turns out this dumbass didn’t hold up his end of the bargain, so the guy decided to flake. Sorta. I guess he flaked enough, so I wouldn’t die,” Blade recounts the information like we’re talking about the fucking Sunday paper. I gape at him before shakingmy head.

“You’re lying. There’s no fucking way,” I laugh abruptly. Blade looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. I believe him, so I guess I probably have. Blade grins at me when I laugh. He looks terrifying like this. Unhinged with blood dripping from a cut on his forehead. He looks fucking delicious, too. Seductive, even, and I’m half tempted to beg for him in front of his brother. I refrain. Barely.

“When have I ever lied to you?” Blade teases. I squint at him because once again, he’s right.

“So, you’re just gonna kill him?” I ask innocently. Blade nods, offering me a sly look before tugging down the blindfold. Owen looks like Blade if Blade decided to grow up and work in finance. More specifically, a finance bro who does too many drugs on a work night. Owen has ugly scabs all over his face, and his pupils are blown out. His red-rimmed eyes are green like Blade’s, but there isn’t a single emotion swirling in them besides hatred. Something inside me twists, and I decide then that I’m okay with watching this man die. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Owen put a hit out on Blade, and I’m more than willing to help hasten his demise. It would be a fucking honor to watch the world burn after everything we’ve been put through. Hell, I’ll light the match as long as Blade is holding the box.

“Is that disappointment I hear in your voice, Piper?” Blade says in a teasing tone. I shrug, letting out a puff of air as I clasp my hands together dramatically.

“Might be alittlebit disappointed. Thought we were gonna have a wonderful time going on a murder spree. Bonnie and Clyde type shit,” I confess wistfully. Owen looks between us like we’ve lost our minds.

Owen mumbles something through the gag in his mouth. I settle my eyes on him and smile.

“Sorry, hon. What was that?” I ask him in the most mocking tone I can. There is something rotten inside me because I love this. I love that Blade is getting his revenge. I don’t remember much about Owen, but now that I think about it, I’m almost positive he called me a cunt once. I think I was around eleven at the time, but I think I’ve grown into it now. Honestly, I’d prefer for people to hate me. I hate them, working in customer service and all, so it’s only right that they hate me in return.

Besides, I told Blade I was willing to do whatever he needed me to do, and I’ll be damned if I don’t carry through.

“What’s the plan then?” I glance at Blade. I can feel Owen’s eyes glaring into me. His hatred persists. There’s no attempt at begging. No remorse. No denial. He looks fuckingbored.

“Been playing around with a few ideas. I feel like it would be a little too on the nose if I used a knife, but I feel like it could be a good outlet to release my anger,” Blade answers thoughtfully while crossing his arms over his chest. His shirt strains against his biceps, and I’m more tempted to just beg him to choose if onlyfor my own selfish reasons. Blade’s hair is messy, too, and it’s making me more distracted than I should be at a time like this.

Focus, Piper. Jesus, whore.

I shudder slightly and Blade notices. He takes a step closer to me, snaking his hand around my waist.

“Focus, baby,” Blade smirks. I glare at him.I’m trying, asshole.

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