Page 43 of Take Me to Church
Piper looks me up and down, her eyes narrowing as she stands a little taller. “How do I know it’s safe to go with you?”
I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose as I try to relax. I was hoping this would be a smoother interaction than it’s turning out to be. Honestly, based on what little I know about the tiny scrap of a woman in front of me, I should’ve known better. I turn to the door, leaning out to scan the parking lot before waving Simon in. Lydia’s talked to Piper, but maybe she needs to make this whole situation, and its gravity, a little more clear.
As Simon leads Lydia up to the townhouse she shares with Piper, I go down the steps to plant myself on the sidewalk, watching for any sign Rodney’s friend is lingering, waiting for another opportunity to strike. Lydia’s eyes meet mine as she passes and a hint of color pinks her cheeks, telling me I’m not the only one struggling to stay focused this morning.
I follow behind her, waiting until she’s in the apartment before catching Tate’s attention and thumbing over my shoulder. “We need to wait outside.” I want Lydia to feel like she can say whatever she wants. Piper needs to know she’s not being coerced in any way. It’s the only way we’ll be able to get her out of here willingly.
I’ve been in the business of a lot of things, but dragging an unwilling woman from her home isn’t one of them.
I close the door, leaning against it as I wait. Simon looks between me and Tate. “What the fuck is going on?”
“She tried to tase me in the fucking nut sack, that’s what’s going on.” Tate’s normally relaxed expression is tight and tense as he crosses his arms and leans against the building. “Then she wants to act like we’re the ones to be worried about.”
Simon slowly smiles. “Come on. You gotta be a little impressed with a woman who’s not afraid to stand up for herself.”
“I’d be a hell of a lot more impressed if she didn’t come for my balls.” Tate’s frown deepens as he pulls out his cell phone and checks the time. “We need to go. We’ve got a long drive ahead of us and if they find out Myra called Lydia last night, shit could be going downhill for her really fast.”
I know Tate is frustrated. We all have our reasons for doing what we do, and he understands exactly how much a delay can cost. The same way I understand what can happen when a woman goes back after walking away. But letting our own personal experiences and losses affect our actions will only make things worse. “Just relax. Lydia wants to get there even more than we do. She knows Piper. She knows what will get her moving.”
The door at my back suddenly unlatches and I drop into the apartment, falling right on my ass against the ceramic tile at the entry. Piper glares down at me, looking no less pissed off than she did when Lydia walked in. “Why in the hell would you lean against the door you know we’re coming out of?”
Someone snorts and I don’t have to look to know it was Simon. He’s always had a thing for women who walk a little on the wild side. I wouldn’t mind placing bets on how long it’ll take him to fall in love with Piper.
Hell, it might have already happened.
“Oh my gosh.” Lydia rushes to my side, gripping my arm as she attempts to help me up. “Are you okay?” She looks me over as I stand, almost like she expects me to have sustained a major injury. “Does anything hurt?”
I don’t hate the way she’s worried about me. It’s the second time her hands have fluttered over my body, checking me out as she makes little, unhappy sounds in her throat.
“I’m fine.” I rest one hand on her lower back, pulling her close as I look pointedly at the bag Piper’s carrying. “Are we ready to go?”
“Where exactly are we going?” Piper grabs her purse, wincing a little before switching hands.
“We’re going to the town I grew up in.” Lydia chews her lower lip, watching Piper. “We’re going to get Myra.”
Piper uses her good hand to sling her purse across her body, staring at me in disbelief, like I’m the one who’s dragging this out. “Why didn’t you fucking tell me that was what we were doing?” She bumps past me, going straight out the door. “Let’s go liberate Myra.” She pauses, looking from side to side. “Where’s my car?”
“We took care of it for you.” Simon gazes at Piper like she’s the best thing he’s ever seen. “It’s someplace safe so you won’t have to worry about anything bad happening to it while you’re gone.”
Piper’s skin pales the tiniest bit. “Those guys would fuck with my car?”
“It’s not what they would prefer to fuck with, but when there aren’t any other opportunities, they take what they can get.” Keeping Lydia close, I move toward the cobalt blue two-door I drive when I’m not working, open the passenger’s door, and urge her in.
Piper stops short. “I have to cram into the backseat?”
I point at the expensive SUV in the next spot over. “You’re riding with Tate.”
Simon’s hands go out as he scoffs. “Why the fuck is she riding with Tate?”
I knew he was going to be pissed but he’s going to have to get over it. “Lydia and I stay together because there’s the chance we’ll be recognized. You look like a fuckin’ delinquent, and if they see Piper with you, we lose the ability to use her in any capacity.”
Piper perks up a little bit. “Does that mean I get to help bust Myra out?”
“You and Tate are the only two who will be able to move around town without standing out.” I’ve been trying to come up with a way for us to figure out where Myra is. Our best option is to have someone right under their noses, listening in. And while I know Tate is capable, a single, unknown man is only slightly less conspicuous than Simon would be.
“I can just about guarantee one of us will stand out.” Tate glowers at Piper.
Piper’s eyes narrow. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
