AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s familiar and calming, but I can’t figure out what it means.
“Who are you to me, Piper?”
She shakes her head. “No one.”
I don’t believe her, but I won’t pressure her. We made a deal. Soon she’ll tell me all my secrets and if I’m lucky, I’ll learn hers.
Piper closes her eyes and begins to caress the ivory keys, producing a sound I haven’t heard, but my hands remember. I play along with her as if we’ve done this for years or maybe a lifetime. My heart calms, and the anger dissipates.
I’m going to eventually have to leave, but for now, I enjoy the calm she’s gifting me.
ChapterTwenty-Six
Finnegan
As Piper startsto play Bach’s Air, the melody instantly soothes my soul. Every chord and lyric seems to be tailored just for me—as if she knows exactly what I need to hear. Every note eases the apprehension, and I fall into a peaceful trance. I wish I could stay in this moment forever.
Soon, I join her, and our hands move effortlessly over the ivory keys with a familiarity that is both foreign and familiar to me. The closeness makes my skin tingle. Her scent fills the air, teasing me, making me want to do more than just sit beside her. I want to wrap my arms around her delicate frame, capture her lips with mine, and press her against the wall… but I resist.
I can’t just fuck her because of some inexplicable urge. The need to do more than just play together becomes unbearable.
Right before I feel the need to leave the house without looking back, I feel her head rest on my shoulder. She’s yawning, and her hands slide to her lap.
I stare at her, wondering how close we were in my past life?
The theory that she used me and betrayed me is gone. There’s something else between us. The pull is still there, but this isn’t the time to figure out my past. Not when I have to find her friend and figure out the best way to defeat the Zs for good.
“It’s time for bed,” I whisper.
I heft Piper into my arms, feeling the heat of her body through her cotton pajamas. The smell of her hair, sweet and innocent, stirs something within me.
“Who are you?” I ask as I tuck her on top of the bed. I hear the faint mumble of a dream, but I can’t make out any words.
My heart races as I lean in closer to her. Our lips are mere inches from each other. I can feel the warmth of her breath against my skin, but I know that if I kiss her, it’ll be a mistake.
I glance at her one more time and reluctantly take a step back. My mind fills with thoughts of Derek and Piper. Of the threesome proposal that I had made to her years ago and how wrong it would be for me to stay and become a part of their lives.
I hastily slip out of the room, careful not to make a sound. I rush to the kitchen, put on the coffee maker, and scroll through the notifications on my phone as Dad’s heavy footsteps slowly move down the staircase.
“What are you doing up so late?” he asks, worry creeping into his voice.
I should ask the same, but instead I say, “Derek should be landing in Heartwood Lake soon, and I’m heading back there.” I try to keep my tone as even as possible while searching for a to-go mug.
Dad purses his lips together. “I thought this would be over by now.”
“No. We’re just getting started. I’m not going to let Zamudio and his men get away this time,” I say, my voice hardening with resolve.
Dad shakes his head. “Don’t let this man destroy your future or who you’ve become.”
“I won’t. I have to do this—I have to make sure he stops wrecking other people’s lives.”
He let out a heavy sigh, his eyes radiating disappointment and pity.
Before he tries to convince me to leave this alone and start to live my life, I ask, “How much longer can you stay? I don’t want Piper to be alone.”
“For as long as you need me here,” he replies with a kind smile. “She’s quite the delightful young lady. Chatting with her about your youth is a treat. Have you heard about the time you broke your arm while swinging from a chandelier?”
“Wait, did she tell you that about me?” I wish I could remember.
