Page 71 of Black Roses

Charlie’s face breaks into a warm smile. “God, she’s gorgeous, Mason. You better keep a short leash on that one when she hits puberty.”

“You’ve seen her?”

“Of course. Piper showed me some pictures she had taken in the park.” Compassion floods her eyes. “She doesn’t dislike children, you know. It’s just hard for her to be around them.”

My heart sinks. “So something did happen after her attack.”

She shrugs. “Not my story to tell,” she says. “But I will tell you this—she’s my kindred spirit, that girl. We’ve been through some shit, she and I. Things nobody should have to go through. But her staying here is wrong. She healed more in the few months back there with you than in the four years she spent over here.”

My mouth opens and then closes. I stare wide-eyed for a full five seconds. “Really? I got the feeling the only thing I ever did was bring back her nightmares and stir up all the crap she was trying to forget.”

“Don’t you see, Mason? She needed that. She needed to confront her demons before she could move on from them. I’ve come to terms with what happened to me. Well, sort of. Okay, maybe not.” She rolls her eyes. “I may be sleeping around Europe, and I’ll always hate my so-called parents, but my past doesn’t control me like it does Piper.”

I take a drink of my tepid coffee, eyeing her speculatively over the rim of my cup.

“Whatever,” she says, defensively. “Don’t shrink me.”

I hold my hands up in mock surrender. “Wouldn’t dare to try.”

“Smart man.” She snatches my drink from me, removing the lid and taking a smell before gulping it down. I get the idea she doesn’t much care where her next meal comes from. It pains me to think Piper could be the same way.

“I’ve made some calls,” she says, putting the empty cup in front of me. “And I’ve decided I like you, Mason. So I’m going to help you. In this case our girl might not know what’s best for her. It’s clear to me she wants to love you. I’m just not sure she thinks she’s capable of it.”

“What can I do? Where is she?” Just hearing her say those words gives me hope.

“Not so fast. Let me talk to her first. She’s going to resist, you know that, right? But you are good for her and I’m afraid she may never find another guy like you. You’re a rare breed, Mason Lawrence, and I won’t let her miss out on this opportunity because of me.”

“What are you saying?”

She lets out a sigh. “I’m leaving. If I’m gone, she has no reason to stay.”

“No, Charlie.” I shake my head. “I can’t let you do that. It’s not the answer. Maybe you could go back to New York.”

Her head swings violently from side to side. “I’ll never do that. I don’t belong there. But Piper does—with you. She’s your responsibility now. Don’t fuck this up or I will hunt you down and kill you with my bare hands. I don’t care how impressively big you are.”

She stands and I stand with her. “Give me an hour,” she says, pulling a hotel key card out of her pocket and placing it on the table before me.

I offer her my hand but she pulls me in for a tight hug instead. I moan when her arms squeeze my angry, tender ribs. “Football taking a toll on you, big guy?” She laughs.

“Something is, but it sure as hell isn’t football.”

She gives me a questioning look and then she untucks my shirt, raising it to reveal the small area of red flesh on the right side of my ribs, just below my throwing arm. Her head tilts to the side as she studies what’s there. “I’m not even going to pretend I know what that means, but it sure as hell better have something to do with our girl.”

I smile down at her, tucking my shirt back in.

“You’d better wash it,” she says. “It looks like pieces of your shirt fabric got stuck to it. Did you take the bandage off too early? They say four to six hours, you know. Just run warm soapy water over it and put a little ointment on it, then let it air out.”

“You seem to know an awful lot about the subject.” I raise an eyebrow at her.

“I’d show you, but then I’d have to kill you,” she jokes.

“Listen, Charlie, if there’s anything I can ever do for you . . .”

“Just take care of her, Mason.” She smiles a brilliant smile and walks away.

“Count on it,” I call after her.

I look at the key card and then at my watch. This is gonna be the longest fucking hour of my life.

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