AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 16
Darren
Sitting at my deskin the hotel room, my eyes going crossed from looking over the numbers, I sighed heavily.
Thankfully, my phone rang, giving me an excuse to take a break.
Lifting the phone to my ear without checking the number, I answered, "Hello, Master Durand."
Rayne's young voice came over the speaker. "Where's Piper?"
Well, hello to you too, I thought. Out loud, I answered, "Piper is still at her day job. May I take a message?"
Rayne growled over the phone. "No. Why are you letting her work anyway? Don't we pay you all enough?"
Holding back another sigh, I replied, "Of course, Master Durand. And as well as you know, stopping Piper from doing anything she puts her mind to is near impossible."
Rayne cursed under his breath and chuckled. "Ain't that the fucking truth." He huffed and then bit out, "Just tell her I'll be there soon. I don't want to waste any of the time we have with her working the whole time."
"Of course, Master Durand. I will pass on the message." I kept my voice even and without emotion.
"Good." The phone went dead.
Setting my phone down, I shook my head and sighed. No working while he was here. Ha. That was going to be fun to explain. I couldn't even get her to listen to me when it was for her own good.
For the last month, Piper has come home aching and wincing in pain. I felt helpless. Unable to help her. Unable to convince her to stop this madness.
Martial arts.
Bah.
What did Piper think she was going to accomplish by abusing her body this way? It certainly wouldn't do anything against the vampire hunters. They'd shoot her all the same.
I was tempted to tell Antoine about Piper’s new 'hobby.' However, when I mentioned it to Piper, she begged me not to tell. I didn't like it, but it made her feel better. So, I'd sit back and let her come home with bruises that made me tense and take ice baths that were on the verge of giving her hypothermia.
For now.
I tried to turn back to my work, but my heart just wasn't in it. Rayne was going to be here any time now, and I'd have to make myself scarce. I didn't believe for a second that Rayne would be as welcoming as Antoine had been. I had no designs on Rayne's self. Still, I doubted he'd see my wish to be included as anything other than a challenge to his relationship with Piper.
The scent of berries hit my nose, and I sat up straighter in my chair, shifting uncomfortably in the jeans I'd taken to wearing. I'd have changed back to my usual attire for my sake. However, it was worth the discomfort for the way Piper’s eyes trailed after me every time I left the room. I had an ass that didn't quit apparently—her words, not mine.
I twisted in my seat to face the door as it opened. Piper came in still dressed in her work attire. Odd for a Thursday.
Brows drawn together, I watched her enter the room, throwing her bag and coat onto a nearby chair. I'd given up trying to get her to put her things away. Now, I just picked up after her when she was gone.
When her eyes landed on me, my whole body tightened with anticipation. Piper's tongue darted out to wet her lips involuntarily, her eyes skimming over my form. Her scent had changed. Just a subtle change, but it was enough to make my length go stiff.
Those pale brown eyes finally landed on my face, and an excited grin spread across her face. "Hard day at work?"
"In a way." I tapped the desk with my bare hand, my white gloves put away neatly in my drawer. Piper had hounded me about them ever since I changed my clothing.
"They don't go with your outfit. How are you going to explain them to people?"
I hadn't planned to explain myself at all to the citizens of Seabrick. I didn't owe them any explanation. However, Piper seemed obsessed with getting them off, and as if she were my master, I had an overwhelming urge to please her.
"No class today?" I asked as she went into the bathroom.
Through the closed door, she called, "No, I went to check something else out today."
