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“Tag’s orders were to bring you back here,” I snap.
“Tag listened to me. He understands why I ran.”
“Put him on the phone,” I yell. His job isn’t to understand my wife but to follow my orders.
“Let’s meet and talk,” she suggests, and I pause, letting her words sink in. The need to see her outweighs my anger at Tag.
“When?”
“Later today. I’ll text you with a meeting place.”
“Now,” I tell her. “In the next hour.”
“You’re doing it again,” she cries. “Stop pushing me.”
“I have my men looking for you, Piper. I can order Tag to drag you back here kicking and screaming, but I’m being patient, agreeing to meet you and talk.”
“Today at noon,” she insists. “And you let Lucy go.”
“I can’t do that,” I tell her.
“If you want to see me again, you’ll do exactly that, Anton. Let her go. And stay the hell away from The Rebellion. If anything happens to them, I’m gone.”
“So, now, you’re threatening me?” I ask, clenching my fist by my side.
“I’m asking you.”
“No harm will come to anyone if you meet me today. I’ll let Lucy go once I’ve seen you.” I disconnect the call, unwilling to barter any more. This is not how my world works. I’m not used to waiting for what I want.
Breakfast is laid out in the dining room for the first time since I sent Mum away. I guess Ella wants to get back to normal . . . well, as normal as it can be now there’s just the two of us.
Ella is sitting reading the newspaper, and Lucy is opposite her picking at a croissant. They look up as I enter, and I nod in greeting, taking my seat and helping myself to a pastry. Ella pours my coffee.
“Ella said you’ve spoken to Piper,” says Lucy.
“Yes.”
“And?” she asks.
“In case you didn’t realise, you’re here against your will, which means I don’t tell you the details of my life.”
“Ella told me about the wedding,” she adds, and I glare at Ella, who hangs her head. “Just when I think you can’t get any lower, you somehow top it.”
“Thank you.”
“You realise Piper probably would have responded better to the old-fashioned way.”
I roll my eyes. “So everyone keeps telling me.”
“It’s not too late to turn it around,” says Ella. Lucy nods in agreement.
“She’s right. Piper wants to see a better version of you.”
I drop my half-eaten pastry on the plate. “I’m not sure there is a better version,” I snap. “But look at you two agreeing with one another. How sweet,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
“There is a better version,” says Lucy, “as much as it pains me to admit it. Where’s the guy who helped her when she needed it?”
“That wasn’t for her. Tag asked me,” I say.
