“Wow.” The laugh that slips past my lips is pure disbelief. “That didn’t really sound like an apology, but I’m willing to let you try again.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have lashed out, but you pushed me to it.” I let out another laugh, sensing Savannah and Christian’s eyes on us from inside. “Why the hell are you laughing, Piper? It’s that attitude that earned you that mark you’re hiding under all that makeup.”
“Are you even listening to yourself right now? You’re blaming me for your hand flying.”
“We’re both to blame.”
“No, you’re to blame.”
My eyes narrow as memories flood back—all those nights I made myself smaller, quieter, less myself, just to maintain the peace.
I can’t believe I ever allowed this man inside me.
“Just make sure the next girl who ends up with you is aware that you get handsy when you’re mad.” I shoulder past him, drawn to the safety I know is waiting inside, when I feel Travis’s fingers clamp down on my arm. I freeze, spinning to face him, my heart pounding—not from fear, but pure, white-hot rage.
“I’m not fucking blind,” he snarls, squeezing like he thinks I’ll bend under the pressure. “And if anything happens between you and him, it’ll destroy what little relationship we have left. You’ll ruin his life, he’ll lose his kid for good, and he’ll hate you for it.”
“You clearly have no respect or desire to be his son anyway. And considering this is only about winning for you, let’s get something straight. First, you never wanted me, and second, I wanted him before I even knew you existed.”
He pales, eyes blazing with that all-too-familiar shitty temper. “I’m serious. I’ll make his life a living hell.”
He releases me with a grunt, his fingers dropping away like he can’t bear to touch me for another second. I take a step forward, but before I can make it back inside, Christian and Savannah are already there, blocking my way.
“Your bags are here, Travis,” Savannah says, tossing the two duffel bags toward his feet.
“I came to give Piper a ride to her sister’s place. Doesn’t seem right for her to be here.”
“After what you did to her, you honestly think I’d let you take her anywhere? She’s staying right here. We need the help, and thanks to you, we’re down a man. Her taking the guest room is practical—there’s no point in her making this drive every day.”
“Piper?” Travis says, eyes latching onto mine, daring me to disagree with him.
I take a step back, pressing myself closer to Christian and Savannah. “You heard your dad. I’m staying to help like I promised.”
“Why don’t you get out of here and go back to your mom’s, Travis? Maybe when the holidays are over, and everyone’s had a chance to cool off, you and your dad can talk this out because all you’re doing right now is making things worse for all three of you.”
“Cool off? Sure. Because that’s easy when your father would rather play hero for a girl he barely knows than his own kid.”
“Maybe that’s because you’ve made it impossible to defend you,” Savannah snaps.
“Oh, we’re gonna talk.” Christian’s voice is pure steel, his arms crossed over his chest as he radiates so much alpha energy, I’m about ready to crumble. “You don’t get to hurt women and not have a fucking conversation about it. Do you understand? That shit doesn’t fly here. Ever.”
“Jesus, she knows I’m sorry?—”
“Does she? Because from where I was standing, it sounded a hell of a lot like you were blaming her for the bruise you put on her face.” Savannah’s voice is ice, her gaze swinging to me and fixing on mine. “Yeah, I was listening, honey.”
Travis’s eyes widen, a flicker of embarrassment bleeding through his anger. “Piper, I’m genuinely sorry that I… tapped you.”
“Shut up, Travis.” My face twists in disgust as I march my ass back inside the house, not bothering to look back. But his voice chases me, slithering through the air like the parasite he is.
“See what I have to put up with?” he spits. “This is why I can’t win with you, Piper. Because you’re a coldhearted, selfish?—”
I slam the door shut with enough force to rattle the hinges before throwing myself down on the couch. I’ve gone from the highest high of just being rubbed to orgasm by the man of my dreams to the lowest low of being threatened by his son.
Minutes later, the door opens and closes. Pine, leather, and winter air wrap around me as Christian sinks onto the couch beside me, close enough that his thick thigh brushes against mine.
“Maybe I should go home.” The words taste like defeat as I force them out. “I can still come up and help, but this is messy as hell, Christian, and I don’t want to be the reason things between you two get worse.”
“They can’t get much worse than this.”