Page 12 of Tarnished Hands

“Wasn’t it you telling me about how Piper is finally nice now that she’s being fucked again?” My gaze swings to Joey, and he ducks his head in shame.

I hit him in the arm. “What the fuck?” I yell.

“I didn’t say it like that,” Joey says, glaring back at Lucas. “You’re a real fucking dick, you know that?”

Lucas merely shrugs.

“Just because I was told not to shoot you again doesn’t mean I won’t,” I tell Lucas and reach for my gun. I lift and aim it at him. Lucas and I love to hate each other.

“You’ll be in so much trouble, and we know how much you love to please the boss.”

“That’s disgusting,” I say, shaking my head.

“Only you took it the dirty way.”

“Only you implied it in a dirty way. Keir is my cousin, you fuckhead.” I flick the safety off.

“Piper,” Joey warns.

“Just the ear.” I aim for Lucas’s right ear.

“No, put the gun away,” Joey says.

“You know I’ll shoot you back.” Lucas laughs.

“Not if you’re fucking dead,” I smirk at him.

“Such devoted love between you two,” Joey grunts in annoyance.

“The best kind of love… family love, right? Not the love you have when you fuck Ezra. Did you know he’s out there right now with a cute little blonde with big tits? She’s nothing like you.”

I pull the trigger, but I miss his head on purpose.

He doesn’t even care.

Isn’t even fazed.

Sometimes, I feel as if death doesn’t faze him at all.

“Piper,” Joey scolds as I lower my gun and slide it back into my jacket. I don’t always carry it, but I enjoy using it when I do.

On Lucas.

“Let’s go for a drink,” Lucas pulls me toward the bar’s side entrance like he’s done a hundred times after we argue. The sticky floor and faux leather seats are almost comforting as I glance around.

The old jukebox in the corner plays classics, and several people are drinking, laughing, and having a great time at the bar and the tables. I spot Ezra by the bar straight away, glass in hand, and two women talking to him. Lucas keeps pulling me as he walks toward him. Ezra doesn’t look up at first when Lucas speaks.

“Ezra, how about another drink? My treat.” Lucas leans into my ear as Ezra looks up, his gaze locking on me. “What do you think he screams when he gets shot?” I grind my teeth at his words as he pulls away and looks back at Ezra. “Oh, I believe you know my friend here. Piper.”

“Piper?” the younger man behind Ezra says. I stand there as he approaches me and offers me his hand. I look at it, confused. “I’m Tony, Ezra’s brother, the better-looking one of the two of us.” He winks.

“Take his hand, don’t be rude.” Lucas nudges me. I elbow him in the ribs, and he drops his arm from my shoulders.

“I don’t like shaking hands,” I tell Tony.

He nods and pulls his hand back.

“Don’t worry, man. Piper, here, doesn’t like much of anything.” Lucas laughs. I look then to the women. I only recognize one of them. I’ve seen her before at Ezra’s shop in the reception area, but I paid no attention to her. She sips on some drink through a straw and eyes me, her mouth almost in a sneer.

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