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5
PARKER
I’m still in an exceptional mood when I arrive in the lobby of Piper’s building.
“Damn, Thor. You seeing this, buddy?” I whisper in awe, my eyes surveying my surroundings. The marble floor is so polished that Thor keeps slipping, so I just scoop him and carry him in one arm.
The reception desk is empty, but I spot the security guard on duty. He’s a big, bald man with a bit of a paunch but still not someone anyone wants to mess with.
His forehead furrows, and he scowls at his phone before pulling his pants up and heading for the elevator. I jog toward him, and we both let out identical looks of frustration when we find that it’s out of order.
Noticing me just now, he spins on his heel and faces me. His nameplate says, “Ben,” so I throw him a smile. “Hi, sir. Good evening. I’m Parker Perry. My girlfriend is still working on the third floor. I was hoping to just go to her. I have my ID right here.”
He looks distracted though, and his eyes glaze over when I keep talking. Ben just waves me off. “Who’s your girlfriend? I’m on my way to the third floor right now.”
“Perfect. Her name’s Piper. She’s a manager at the?—”
His momentary confusion clears, and I see fire behind his eyes. What’s happening?
“Good. Let’s go.”
We start toward the staircase, him gripping his baton until his knuckles are white. He’s semi-sprinting, and I have to keep up with him while making sure I don’t drop Thor, who’s already squirming and letting out noises of disapproval.
“Your girlfriend called me a few minutes ago, asking me to check on her. I saw a man on the floor with her. I think his name’s Barry or Bryan or Bert or something. Anyway, she has?—”
I don’t let him finish. Horror dawns on me. I thrust Thor to him and take the stairs two at a time. My pulse pounds in my temples, and an anger I’ve never felt before makes my stomach turn over. My blood freezes solid, and barbed wire coils in my gut.
As someone who’s generally nonviolent, I can’t wait to get my hands on that fucker. He’s gonna realize how badly he’s messed up this time. No one scares my girl like that and walks away unscathed. And now he’s probably doubling down. Maybe I should’ve dragged him to the police station when I had the chance.
When I reach the third floor, he’s banging his fists outside her door. Checking to see the CCTVs, I rush to him. He’s so preoccupied with Piper that he fails to notice someone else with them.
I grab the back of his collar and slam him against the wall. He gets up on his feet and rears his arm back. His eyes are manic and crazed, and I’m not sure he’s mentally here. I stand there while he throws a punch to my chest, not bothering to dodge or try to protect myself.
And here I thought he’d be stronger.
That attempt to hurt me is as lame as the guy himself.
“This is your best shot, buddy? Here. Let me show you how to actually do it.”
His body posture loosens, and his eyebrows scrunch together. It’s like he doesn’t know what I’m talking about, so I show him.
It’s the sound of his nose breaking that finally does it. He howls in pain, slumping to the floor and trying to stop the blood dripping from his nose. I faintly hear Ben’s footsteps behind me, and the moment I turn, Piper throws herself into my arms.
My arms go around her to hold her close, and I bury my face in her golden locks. “It’s all right now, baby. I’m here. I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise you.”
She chokes on a sob and tightens her hold on me. I meet Ben’s shocked gaze as he lowers Thor to the floor. He pulls out his radio and says something into it.
Piper lifts her face, eyes shining with unshed tears. It makes my chest crack open, so I cradle her face in my hands, grazing her cheek with my thumb.
She gives me a soft smile. “Please take me home.”
My eyes don’t leave Piper as she lies on the couch, fingers absentmindedly scratching Thor’s back. She’s been fairly quiet on the ride home and even after her shower.
Can’t really blame her. That must have been scary and traumatic. I can still remember Brent’s look on his face. That son of a bitch was determined to hurt her.
I squeeze a fair amount of caramel sauce over Piper’s brewed coffee. This concoction is disgusting, and I will never drink it even if I’m dying of thirst, but it’s her favorite.
I settle on the space between her and the armrest and set the cup on the table. She nuzzles into me, and I lay an arm on the backrest. “How are you feeling, baby?”
