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I didn’t know what else to say. At one point, I knew my own parents had felt the same way about me. Maybe one day, Asher would win back his parents’ trust and respect. But as I knew all too well, it was a long, difficult process. I’d had to put in a lot of hard work and commitment to changing from the asshole I’d been into a better man.
“No, Cannon. Don’t you apologize for any of this,” she commanded. “None of this is your fault. We’ve stood behind your relationship with Piper, and when you asked us for our blessing, we gave it wholeheartedly. Asher was the one who had the issues. He’s the one who needs to be apologizing.”
“You’ll excuse me if I don’t accept it.”
“Absolutely. It’s your right not to forgive him. I just… I really need to speak to Piper. Will you try to convince her to take the phone?”
Sniffling, Piper wiped her nose on my shirt. “I’m right here, Mom. I’ve been listening the entire time.”
“My sweet, sweet girl. I’m so sorry. Please understand that I didn’t have all the facts. Asher—”
“I heard everything, Mom,” she cut in. “What do you want to say? I’m tired, and I just want to be done with anything that has to do with…him.”
“Mistakes were made,” Gabriella said sadly. “And I regret everything I said to you earlier. Your dad and I love you so much, Piper. We want to be there for your wedding. Please, honey, please accept my apology and forgive us for not understanding.”
Leaning back, she locked her dark eyes with mine, silently asking me what I thought she should do. I pressed a kiss to her brow, letting her know I would respect whatever decision she made. More tears spilled over her lashes, and she clenched her eyes closed. “You and Dad are welcome at the wedding,” she said after a long, tense pause. “But I’m not changing my mind about…him. I will never see him again, Mom. Don’t ever ask, because if you or Dad do, I’ll cut you both out of my life just like him.”
“You can’t even say his name, Piper,” Gabriella whispered in a pained voice. “Or call him your brother.”
“He doesn’t deserve for his name to be spoken, and he forfeited being my family when he hurt Cannon.”
There was a pause on the other end of the receiver before her mom blew out a heavy sigh. “You’re right. I won’t force the issue on you now or in the future. Do I hope that one day you can put this behind you? Yes. But I will have to learn to accept that our family will be divided from now on.”
“Thank you for respecting my boundaries,” Piper choked out. “I have to go now, Mom. I haven’t slept in days. Now that Cannon is home, I can relax.”
“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I felt the hesitation, and then, “We love you, Piper. More than anything. Please don’t doubt that.”
“I-I love you and Dad too,” Piper rasped before hanging up.
The phone dropped from her hand to the floor, and she tucked her head under my chin. It was only natural that I wrapped my arms around her and rocked her gently. “Tell me what you need, sugar.”
“You,” she choked out. “I only need you.”
Chapter 7
Piper
As the rest of the week passed, I received daily news on what was happening with Smith…and everyone else. The Feds returned Cannon’s phone and wallet back to him after finding it in Smith’s apartment. With all the evidence against him, Smith decided to take a deal to avoid a long federal trial. I wasn’t sure if that was his choice or if someone had encouraged him to take responsibility for his actions. It wouldn’t have surprised me if Aunt Emmie had done something to make it all go away as quickly as possible..
According to Shaw, Mia, and Trinity, other people were getting their comeuppance as well. The deal Mom told me about was going forward, but this Erica person was facing jail time, right along with Smith. Not only for supplying him with the drugs, but also because of the case that had sent her into hiding across the border. However, she wasn’t alone. The wife of the politician she’d been hired by was under fire as well. Because her husband died in the commission of a crime she orchestrated, she was being charged with more serious offenses than Erica. But since Erica was testifying against her—as well as Smith—she would get a much more lenient sentence.
None of it made the headlines except Erica and the politician’s wife, which I was thankful for. I didn’t want to cause Smith’s victims more distress, and no one deserved to be in the spotlight over his crimes.
I tried not to focus on what had taken place over the previous weekend—or the many possibilities if Cannon hadn’t been found. Instead, I directed all my attention to the upcoming wedding, and I refused to let my mind wander to people who no longer mattered.
Saturday morning, I arrived at the venue with my bridal party, Mom, Aunt Emmie, and Cannon’s mother, as well as the wedding planner, Francesca. When we’d first started considering venues for the wedding and reception, the Observatory was at the top of my list. Once we got the green light for it, Francesca and I were able to plan so much of the event around the theme.
All the way down to my dress and the cake.
Especially the dress.
I was nearly vibrating with excitement for Cannon to see me in it.
While everyone else got ready, I walked through the venue, double-checking all the details with Francesca to ensure they were perfect. After the disaster of the previous weekend, everything about our special day had to be nothing less than flawless or I was sure I’d lose my mind.
“Piper, you have to start getting ready,” Mom announced when she found us in the Observatory. “It’s going to take forever to get that dress buttoned after your hair and makeup.”
Francesca touched my arm with a warm smile. “Go. I’ve got it from here, I promise. Plus, Cannon and the others just arrived. I need to show him everything before he begins getting ready himself.”
