Page 16 of Burning Bridges

"I didn't," I reply a little too quickly.

He comes closer to inspect me. "I don't like this, Leo. You're lying for this girl. When have you ever lied for a girl—or anyone else for that matter? And this is an Acevedo."

"I'm not," I protest, knowing how pathetic I sound. I'm not used to having to explain myself to anyone, much less my brothers. Usually, it's me trying to keep them in line. I don't involve others in my life or get involved with theirs. I find it easier to stay away from relationships of any kind. That's why I call Olivia sometimes. It's not complicated, and it won't get me killed.

"You have red lipstick all over your neck," he points out, flicking the spot where she kissed me.

"She was persistent," I huff, rubbing my neck to try to remove her mark. Of course, she made sure there was one. Jett's eyes meet mine, and I know I can't lie to him. I never could—both he and Kobe see right through me. "Fine, I kissed her, but I stopped it as quickly as it started. That's why she stormed out of here in one of her little tantrums. She didn't get what she wanted."

“And what exactly did she want, Leo? Have you asked yourself that? She is using you to get to us. You know that, right? I thought you were supposed to be the smart one.” He shakes his head, as if I have disappointed him. And it must be easy to be him, not left with the responsibility of taking care of your family at seventeen like I was. He and Kobe, while choosing to join me when I deemed them old enough, still had choices. I made sure they did.

“I know exactly what she’s doing, and I’m in complete control,” I retort, pushing past him and forcing him to glare back at me as I walk out the door. I do not have to answer to anyone. Walking past the bar, I head in the direction of the playrooms, itching to cure the overwhelming desire to chase Piper down and finish what she started.

Jett catches up with me, falling in line as we walk past the mezzanine bar. There is a bachelor party for one of our wealthy clients being held up here tonight, making it noisier than usual. “You know, this might be a good thing. If she is coming on to you, it’s for a reason. She wants something, and just maybe we can use her the same way. She has to know something about what is going on with Euphoria.”

I stop in the hallway, glaring at him and telling him to keep quiet while we're out in the main area. It might be rowdy up here with the party going on, but that doesn’t mean people can’t still make out what he's saying. “Why do you think I’m humoring her? I know it’s best to keep her close. She might not have her family behind her anymore, but she still has connections, and she’s smarter than she lets the world believe. She knows every aspect of our business because she was there as her brother built it. And after what Axel told me about the Euphoria being in her mother’s system, I want to know exactly what she knows about it. We need to keep her close. She could be very valuable in helping us work out what is going on. Ace’s death has never sat well with me. I knew that fucker well, and there is no way he killed himself. Either there is more to the story than what Axel is willing to say, or he’s not fucking dead. My guess is Piper knows the answers,” I say in a hushed tone.

“You’ve never mentioned this before.”

“Last week, Piper couldn’t afford a few thousand to pay her debt. This week she’s turning up at our club with a bag full of hundreds and a flashy new sports car.” I raise my brow.

“Are you for fucking real?”

“Someone is suddenly funding her. I want to know who.” I make my way for the door. I shouldn’t keep Olivia waiting.

He flicks his head back to look at me. "Where are you going? We have shit to sort out after what happened earlier."

"I'm sure you have it all under control, Brother. I have an appointment in room four." I motion to the door.

He shakes his head. "With Olivia?"

I scratch my neck, not really wanting to answer his question. I should be able to do whatever the fuck I want, like him and Kobe, but apparently, I now answer to them.

"You're sick, Brother. You know she is the spitting image of Piper."

"Is she? I hadn't noticed," I lie. Of course I noticed. It's why I hired her to work here. She has been a fine distraction whenever I've needed it.

He gets up in my face like he can stop me from walking from the room. "What hold does she have over you? Don't bullshit me anymore, tell me the truth."

I shove him away. "No one has a hold over me. You should know better than to even ask."

I push past him. I've been down here many times before, but tonight it feels different. I feel different. Guilt washes over me as soon as I close the door behind me. The click of the door is almost deafening. I might have told Piper that was all she was going to get so I could keep control of the situation, but it wasn't what I wanted. I was fucking desperate to take her right there in my office, fulfill every desire I have had when it comes to her for as long as I can remember, and show her what she missed out on all these years. Her lips on mine were a tease. Her curvaceous body displayed for me was everything I have ever dreamed of and more.

I don't even really know why I booked Olivia tonight. Maybe because I'm trying to prove to myself Piper has no effect on me, even though I know she does. She's under my skin, and I don't want her to be. I want the control back. I'm nothing if I let someone like her get to me so easily. And she has.

I use the key card to let myself in the room. Olivia is sitting with one long toned leg over the other, wearing a little black lacy number. Her long dark hair is out and flows over her shoulders. She smiles when she sees me, her eyes filled with a playful amusement. “Mr. Rivera.” She knows how our time in this room works; it’s always the same. She’s a beautiful girl, and she should be enough to satisfy the throbbing in my pants, but she’s not Piper, and I already know this isn’t going to work tonight. I have had a taste of the real thing, and I’m craving more.

“Olivia, I'm sorry to have bothered you tonight, but I won’t be needing your services. You can collect your pay from the office as usual. Something has come up, and I need to deal with it,” I say to her apologetically.

“Oh, of course.” She looks at me with a confused and possibly hurt expression. I'm sure she enjoys our nights together as much as I do. Well, normally, but the truth is it's been a while since I last called her. For the past few months, I have spent all my time watching Piper. It's consuming me, and right now, I need to see her.

As I close the door, I feel like I'm losing control. In my head, I know this is ludicrous. I have to keep my distance from her. She was here to manipulate me tonight. I know that for a fact, so why am I compelled to be close to her anyway? So much so that I can't control my feet as they take me out of the club and toward my car.

Chapter 11

PIPER

Thehousefeelsevenlarger and more empty tonight, the walls echoing my loneliness. I need Hannah back here with me. You don’t become a mother only to have your child part of the week. She is the only normal part of my life, and it’s times like this when I miss her the most. I miss her cheering me up when I feel like everything else in my life is hopeless. It’s also nice to have someone to take care of. In the past, I had my mom here with me on the nights Hannah was with her father, but she's gone now, and I know I need to accept that I will be spending a lot of time alone from now on, at least until Tony comes home.

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