Page 46 of Kiwi

Piper

The sunlight filtering in through the window blankets my body in warmth, rousing me from sleep. My eyes flutter open, and I blink away the nightmare that was my existence not twenty-four hours ago. Suddenly, my memories come flooding back, replacing my sweet dreams and filling me with dread. Peering over at the clock on the bedside table, I note it's nearly noon. I woke up earlier to say goodbye to my friend then took another one of those pain pills Teagan gave me to help me sleep. Jia's father jumped on a plane and made it to New Orleans around two o'clock this morning to take her home. It was a tearful goodbye. I also saw dad and Uncle Abel coming out of Uncle Abel's office before he and Jia left. I'm assuming it was to make sure Jia's dad was on the same page regarding the authorities. The club prefers to handle business themselves. Sometimes they work with the police. They will not be bringing the cops in on what went down this time, though. Not that I care. All I care about is those men pay for what they have done. And there is no doubt in my mind the club did just that.

Stretching my arms above my head, I work out the kinks in my back and wince at the pain in my face. I have a nasty looking black eye and some bruising across my cheek from being punched by that creepy son of a bitch.

I roll to my side, then sit on the edge of the bed. I freeze at the sight of an empty beer bottle sitting on the floor beside the chair. Tai. I thought I had dreamt he was here in my room last night, watching me sleep and kissing my lips. Shaking my head, I push those thoughts away and pad over to the bathroom. I cringe when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My eye looks worse than it did hours ago. Ignoring the fact that I look like shit, I go about my business and brush my teeth. Once I'm finished, I change into a pair of leggings and an oversized t-shirt, then tie my hair up into a loose bun.

When I arrive downstairs, I find my dad and Promise in the kitchen with Jaxson. Tai is sitting at the table across from my dad. He looks straight at me. Dad and Promise both stand when I walk in. I tear my eyes away from Tai and look at my dad. "Bean," dad murmurs, pressing his lips against my temple.

"Morning, dad."

Promise squeezes her way between my dad and engulfs me in a bear hug. "How are you doing this morning? Were you able to get some rest?"

I return her embrace. "Yeah. I got a few hours. I feel much better. My face is a little sore, though." I reach up and lightly touch my bruised eye. At the mention of my eye, dad grinds his jaw, and I'm reasonably sure I just heard Tai growl.

Dad's phone chimes, and he pulls it out from the inside of his cut and looks at it before giving me another hug. "I'll be back to check on you in a bit." He jerks his chin toward Tai. "Come on, brother. Prez wants to see us."

Dad kisses Promise and ruffles the top of Jaxson's head. "Be good for your momma, boy."

Jaxson beams up at dad and lets out a string of babble. I can't help but close my eyes and soak up this precious moment with the four people I care about the most in my life. The moment seems so simple, but for me it's everything. I could have lost all of this. Things could have ended differently for me yesterday. It takes all I have to choke back the sob that threatens to break free. And when I open my eyes, Tai is standing in front of me. His gaze is intense. It is as if he can read my thoughts and see the pain I am trying to hide.

Reaching up, he brushes his knuckles against my bruised cheek. His touch causes my body to shiver. No words are spoken between us, and I look over Tai's shoulder to my dad, who has his back turned. But before I can open my mouth, my dad turns, and Tai is gone.

Once I am left alone with Promise, she lifts her brow as if to say I saw that. Ignoring her silent question, I stroll over to the counter and fix myself a cup of coffee. How do I explain Tai and me to her when I don't even know myself what is going on between us? First, last night and now whatever that was that just happened. My head is a jumbled mess. Luckily, Promise leads us in a different conversation. "The girls are out back having lunch; you want to go join them?" she asks as she pulls Jaxson from his highchair.

I smile. "Sure."

Outside, the women from the Montana Chapter are huddled together with Luna and Tequila. With them is Lelani. Standing off to the left is Gabriel and Austin. Gabriel looks bored by all the girl chatter and, as usual, has his eyes glued to Alba. Then there is Austin, who is standing directly behind the sofa where Lelani sits with his arms crossed, and his eyes burning a hole into the back of her head. Interesting.

"Hi," I offer a little wave when I approach the group.

"How are you doing, Piper?" Luna signs.

I sign back. "I'm good." Continuing to sign so that Luna is kept in the conversation, I ask Lelani, "How are you today? I hope you were able to get some rest."

Lelani, who is sitting between Bella and Grace, offers me a warm smile. "I'm hanging in there, Piper. I did manage to get some sleep. Everyone here has been so nice and welcoming."

Just then, Uncle Abel, my dad, and several of the Montana guys, including Jake, emerge from the clubhouse and head in our direction.

Jake addresses me first. "How ya doin' sweetheart?"

Jake is a big guy with an air of authority about him, but he has the kindest eyes. "Doing better. Thank you."

Uncle Abel is the next to speak. "We came out here to talk to Lelani."

"What's going on?" I ask, feeling protective.

"We need to ask her some questions. Can you do that for us, darlin'?" he addresses Lelani. When Lelani gets a worried look, I go over and sit beside her. Bella gives her a reassuring pat on the arm as she makes room for me on the sofa.

I take Lelani's hand. "It's okay, Lelani. You can trust us. My uncle only wants to help. I promise."

Lelani wrings her hands together while chewing on her bottom lip. She's clearly unsure of who she can trust, and I don't blame her one bit.

Uncle Abel continues. "Is it true your brother is to blame for you ending up in the back of that storage pod?"

A flash of pain takes over Lelani's face when she answers. "Yes."

Everyone around me shares the same pissed off look on their faces. Lelani's brother, her own flesh and blood, gave her up to be sold.