Page 18 of Tarnished Hands

“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.

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