Page 42 of Take Me to Church
Christian closes the door, but leaves it unlocked, before coming back and holding one hand out to me. “It sounds like we have to make a stop on our way to Arkansas.”
I slip my palm against his, letting him pull me up from the chair. “Where are we going?”
Lacing his fingers between mine, he leads me back to the door of his office. “Your apartment.”
“Did I forget to pack something?” Last night was a blur, and it wouldn’t surprise me to find out I left something vital behind in my rush.
“No.” Christian pauses, gaze steady as it meets mine. “One of Rodney’s friends paid your friend Piper a visit this morning.”
16
CHRISTIAN
TATE STANDS IN front of me as we wait for Piper to come to the door. Lydia called her on our way over, but after nearly a minute on their doorstep it seems like her roommate is still a little skittish after having a strange man attempt to beat down her door.
“Who is it?” The voice on the other side is surprisingly strong.
“We’re Lydia’s friends. Open the door.” Tate’s tone carries the same hint of irritation we’re all feeling. This is an unexpected detour we weren’t planning on making, and we’re all itchy to get on the road.
Because we know what’s at stake. And right now Myra isn’t the only one in danger.
Thankfully we had eyes on the townhouse just in case. A well-timed call to the cops kept Piper from getting hurt and my brothers and I from getting any more tangled with Rodney’s group than we already are.
“Give her a break. She’s having a shit day.” I glance back at where Lydia’s locked in my car, frowning since I wouldn’t let her be the one to collect Piper. I know she’s safe, but being away from her when one of Rodney’s men was just here has my skin feeling itchy. Even with Simon parked right next to her. “If you’re an ass she’ll take even longer to let us in.”
Tate’s head swivels my way. “Someone just tried to kick in her door. She should be running out of this place.”
“You obviously haven’t met her.” I intend to explain what happened behind the bar, but the door suddenly yanks open a few inches, held in place by the security chain. A hand shoves out the gap at crotch level, the crackling of the stun gun gripped in it sending Tate stumbling back against me.
“What the fuck?” He kicks, acting purely on reflex, knocking the weapon away and sending it tumbling across the cement stoop. “Are you fucking crazy?”
Piper yanks her arm back into the apartment, howling in pain as Tate shoves his foot between the door and frame.
“Christ.” Tate scrubs one hand down his face before turning to me. “Go get the bolt cutters.”
Piper makes a distressed sounding squeak as she fumbles with the chain. “What in the hell is wrong with you?” She flips it free and steps out, the wrist Tate kicked cradled against her middle, glare full of accusation as it cuts into Tate. “You can’t just go around kicking people.” She shoves against him as she moves toward the stun gun.
He snatches it up before she can grab it, switching it off and tucking it into his pocket as her jaw drops open in shock. “You fucking stuck twenty thousand volts in my crotch. You should be glad all I did was kick you.” He moves into the apartment, gripping Piper’s elbow and dragging her along with him. “Get your shit so we can go.”
Piper plants her feet and yanks free of his hold. “I don’t know who in the hell you think you are, but if you think you can act like this because of how you look, then—”
“How I look?” Tate snorts. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Piper motions at him, waving the hand Tate didn’t kick up and down his frame. “I mean the way you look.” She winces again, her uninjured hand coming back to cradle the one still held against her chest.
“Fucking hell.” Tate rolls his eyes toward the ceiling as he spins away, stalking to the kitchen and returning with a bag of frozen peas. Piper barely shrinks back, gaze wary as he crowds her. “Let me look at it.”
“It’s fine.” Her words snap out and I’m not sure if it’s because of anger or pain.
“It’s not fine.” Tate scowls at Piper as he holds one hand out. “Show me.”
Piper scoffs. “You’re the reason it looks the way it does.” She snatches away the peas and presses them to her wrist.
“I’m the reason?” Tate shakes his head. “Sorry, Sugar, but this is your fault.”
Piper’s focus jumps to me. “Is he serious right now?” She turns back to Tate, brows pinching together. “I can’t tell if you’re serious.”
I’m willing to admit Tate isn’t handling the situation in the best way, which is unusual for him, but right now we don’t have time for whatever is going on between them. “We’ll talk about it on the way.” I tip my head toward the staircase leading to the second floor. “You need to go pack your bags. It’s not safe for you to stay here.”
