Page 6 of Death's Deal

“Anything else?” I ask rhetorically.

Seeming unnerved, Piper stands her ground, with her dark, still sunken and sullen eyes trained on the bar instead of looking at me. “Yes. But it can wait.”

I can’t handle more “it can wait” problems right now, so her, “can wait” better be while I’m open to hearing it.

She may give off the vibe of a scared rabbit, but Piper’s hardcore. She killed a man who was about to harm her cousin, she rescued Cap, and killed the cunt cartel leader, Queen, in cold blood. That was all while she was attempting to escape Mexico. Don’t get me started on what she did once she returned to the U.S.

I wouldn’t cross her.

Changing my answer, “Ya know what, Piper. Whatever it is, bring it to my office in twenty.”

Seemingly content with my answer, she smiles. Turning on a heel, she walks off, back to the storage area.

Rubbing a hand across my short-cut hair, feeling I’m due for a trim, I pull at the back of my neck. “Curse man, I don’t know that I can take much more shit. I’m getting closer and closer to walking off the edge of the Five Bridge.”

“How about a round of head? You look like you need to release a bit of that tension resting in those shoulders,” Curse clips off with a smile.

“You offering?”

“I don’t have the lips for it,” he retorts with a grin.

“Then how about you keep your mind on your own cock. I don’t think you need to worry about mine,” I snap harsher than I intend it. The stress is getting to me.

Rising off the chair with his blue drink in hand, he smiles. “Don’t mind if I do.” Striding away, straight to Testy Ball Sucking Betsy, I know he is going to do just that.

Raising my drink, taking a deep mouthful, and setting it back on the bar, I head off toward the stairs. With the subpoena paperwork in hand, I tell V, “I’ll be in my office.”

Chapter 4

Not more than fiveminutes later there’s a soft knock on the door. I haven’t even sorted through the bills yet, and I know Piper will toss my day further into chaos.

With the door closing slowly behind her, she steps through with a worn, large brown leather bag strapped across her shoulder. “Death, do you have time to talk now?”

Exasperated that I have one more thing to stress about, I answered her as nicely and as gently as possible. The last thing I need added to my troubles is Cap pissed because his girl was crying. “Yeah. Sure.”

Toying with the edge of her fingernails, worrying the cuticle, Piper has peeled each of them raw. Nervously she blows out a heavy breath and opens her bag. “Do you remember the Queen’s book?”

---