Page 166 of Hyde and Seek
“True,” I agreed. “However, you either took a fuckin’ bath in vodka or you’re drunk, ‘cause it’s honest to God burnin’ my eyes just breathin’ in. Plus, I’m doubtin’ that white powder under your nose is makeup. And, if you drove here on your bike, my security cameras recorded it.”
Rachel’s eyes went wide as she brought a hand up to rub at her nose. “I don’t know much, but I’ll tell you what I do. Just don’t call the cops, okay?”
I glanced at Key who already had his phone out.
He looked up and gave an almost imperceptible nod.
I nodded at Rachel.
“Promise. Before I say a word, swear it.”
“I promise no one will call the cops.”
She’d driven drunk and coked out in the middle of the afternoon. There was no way we’d turn a blind eye to that shit. While no one was callin’, I knew Key was textin’ Detective Oscar. I’d given everyone her number, just in case.
I tensed at the reminder of the detective and why everyone needed her contact information. “Fuck! Someone give me their fuckin’ keys.” I moved to my safe as Xavier tossed me the keys to his bike.
“What is it?” Kase asked, all humor gone from his face.
“I left Piper alone,” I pointed out. I heard the men curse but I turned back to Rachel. “What the fuck was Chloe up to?” Opening the safe, I pulled my gun out and checked it. Grabbing the shoulder harness, I slid it on and holstered the gun.
“Is that real?” she asked, a mix of fear and lust in her eyes.
“No, it’s a squirt gun.” I turned away and pulled on my leather jacket.
“Why do you have a gun?”
“I own a multimillion dollar custom garage near a major city. What part of this isn’t obvious? Talk.”
“Multimillion?” she breathed.
“Bitch, fuckin’ talk!”
Rachel jumped before she started talking so fast I was having trouble following. “Chloe said she was working with some dude that wanted your bitch. A lot. She didn’t tell me who, just that he was positive he’d get her. She made it seem like it was someone you were close with ‘cause he easily fucked with you all the time. That’s all I know, I swear.”
“Keep her here ‘til the cops pick her up,” I said as I opened the door.
“You said you wouldn’t call!” I heard Rachel screech just before it slammed closed behind me.
“Hetexted, you selfish…” Kase said, the rest of his words trailin’ off as I ran to Xavier’s bike.
*******
I fucked up. Shit, did I fuck up.
Weavin’ in and out of traffic, I went as fast as I could. I knew somethin’ was wrong. I felt it in my fuckin’ gut.
I’d fucked up.
Piper was right when she’d said I didn’t trust her. Now she could be in danger and it was my fault.
I was missin’ some link between today, the shit with Chloe, and Piper’s stalker. If Rachel was tellin’ the truth, that connection was someone we knew. My mind worked as I tried to figure out who’d do this.
Not just whowoulddo it, but whocould.
Sweet as she was, there was no way Piper would’ve stayed and let things between us continue because they’d spiraled. If she’d wanted out, she would’ve been gone. She definitely wouldn’t have said she loved me and agreed to marry me if she thought we were just havin’ fun.
Thinkin’ of Piper with anyone but me made my gut clench and temper rise. I breathed in deep and tried to think it through logically.
