Page 15 of Tarnished Hands

“Piper,” I say her name, wanting to reach for her. Afraid that if I touch her, it’ll fuel her anger more. I truthfully don’t think Piper would shoot Lydia, and it’s a turn on for me watching her completely unafraid, but Lydia is scared to death.

Of course, she doesn’t pay me a lick of attention as she smiles at Lydia, and her hand doesn’t falter or shake in the slightest. “No words now?” she taunts.

“Y-you’re c-crazy,” Lydia stutters as one of her friends starts to cry.

“You would do best to remember that in the future.” Piper pulls her gun away and tucks it into the waistband at the front of her pants.

“Man, she is badass,” Tony says, while I shake my head.

Lydia looks at me with unshed tears in her eyes before she hurries out the door, basically running, her friends following closely behind.

I pull away from Piper.

“If you follow them, I won’t be standing here when you return,” she warns me.

“She could call the police,” I remind her.

“Fuck her. I dare her to.” Piper steps away, and no matter how much I want to listen to her, I can’t. I need to check on Lydia. As of now, she still works for me, and she’s had a few too many drinks. The last thing I want is for her to do something stupid. Well, more foolish than opening her big mouth about something that’s none of her business.

Despite everything, though, I don’t hate Lydia and hope for the best for her, but that’s just not with me.

I reach up and grab the back of Piper’s hair, fist it, and slam my lips to hers. I kiss her fast and hard, and she opens her mouth, kissing me just as fiercely. I pull her closer to me so our bodies are touching, and then I feel the gun, the reminder to move my ass and check on Lydia. I pull back.

“Stay,” I tell her before I turn and walk out the door. I catch Lydia at the front, her hands waving everywhere. Black streaks down her face. I wanted her to get what she deserved, but fuck, she’s clearly, and rightfully distraught.

She spots me and stops. “Go away, Ezra.”

“Are you okay?” I ask, ignoring her.

“Am I okay? Your crazy girlfriend had a gun to my head!” She screams so loud that someone in the street stops and looks our way.

“Go home. You’re fine. I’m sorry.” I wave her off, hoping she’ll get pissed, shut up and storm off.

“I’m not going home. I’m going to the police. I need to put a restraining order on her. She can’t come near me again.”

Shit.

“I’d suggest you don’t do that.”

She spins on me. “Why? She’s just a whore.”

“Don’t call her that.”

“Okay, she’s a bitch who doesn’t work.” Lydia turns and storms off, and I watch her go and hope to God she doesn’t go to the police station.

Opening the door and walking back inside, I find my brother sitting at the bar, his phone in hand as he plays some game. Scanning the bar, Piper’s nowhere to be seen.

“She left, told me to tell you to have a happy birthday,” he says, looking up from his phone. “She’s hot, that one.” He smiles.

Lucas walks out, cigar in hand, as he approaches. He hands the cigar to me. “Happy birthday, and thanks for the show.”

“Where is she?” I call out after him.

“Oh, she’s long gone. You pissed her off.” He chuckles. “I like it.”

I look at the cigar, and back to him, accepting his lighter when he offers.

Happy motherfucking birthday to me.

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