Page 45 of Burning Bridges

“She knows Tony is alive, but other than that, it doesn’t look like it. All I know is tonight she was freaked out enough to call me.” I run a hand through my hair, itching to see her in the flesh. I have been since she called me freaking out about the boy watching her.

“You think she’s in trouble, don’t you? You're worried about her and this meeting tomorrow.”

“I know she’s in trouble; she’s just too stubborn to see it. But if they're following her, my original assumption of her being in with them is unlikely.” And I already know after last night, there is no way that is a possibility. She might lie to me with her words, but her eyes don’t.

Kobe sighs. “She’s loyal to her family, just like you are with us. Why can’t the two of you just admit what you are to each other so you can actually protect her from her brother? You know he doesn’t care about her; he’s just using her. You are the only person who can put a stop to it, but you don’t.”

I assess my little brother, surprised by his outburst. Last I heard, he wanted me to stay as far away from her as possible. Now what, he wants me to confess my feelings for her to keep her safe? “What do you think would happen if I went to her and said, 'Hey, Piper, we have been tracing your calls and following you because we know what you’re up to. And while we were doing that, we worked out your brother is still alive, and he is the reason you're even talking to me.'”

He smirks at me, a look of realization coming over him. “That’s it. You won’t call her out on her shit because you're worried she’s going to pick him. You're worried she won’t have any reason to call you or show up here because the lie will be out in the open and she won’t need you anymore. You're shitting bricks that you're about to lose the only girl you have ever given two fucks about.”

I glare at Kobe. He might be the youngest, but he has a way with people, and he gets me. I hate the words coming from his lips because I know how true they are. She will pick her family. She did last time, and I know she will again. “You have no fucking idea what you’re talking about. She’s nothing but a game to me. I knew what she was doing right from the start, and I’m playing her the same way she is me. As soon as it’s all out in the open, I'll walk away from her. My life will be no different. She is nothing to me, never has been and never will be.”

“That’s a convincing speech. You must have been practicing it on repeat. But I know you, Brother, and you might be a heartless asshole with the rest of the world, but when it comes to Piper, you have a soft spot. She’s worked out how to make you feel, and you’re about to fuck it all up because of your ego and this war between our families. Tell her how you feel and give her the opportunity to come clean with you. Before you're too late.”

I finish my drink and stand. I’ve had about enough of my brother’s advice for one night. “Organize a dinner tomorrow, get Heath and Amelia to meet us at Antonio’s.”

“Are you sure you can trust the Harpers after what her father did?”

“You know we can. If we couldn’t, I wouldn’t let you spend so much time with Heath. They are not their father, and Amelia has connections that might help.” I also don’t know how many others we can trust at this point, so we need to be prepared to work with whoever we can. “See if you can get Brandon here as well.”

“It’s done.” Kobe grins, looking up from his phone. “Where are you going?’

“To watch over her house,” I say, not even bothering to lie. Yes, I said I would stop, but that was before she was being watched by Kylo King. I’m not taking any risks tonight. The first chance I get I’m going to make it clear where I stand with her, and I will force her to tell me what the hell is going on. I will also make sure not a hair on her pretty little head is touched by anyone other than me.

Chapter 26

PIPER

I’mdressedinafitted black dress with a high neckline and cutaway sleeves. Pleasantly surprised how stylish it is since I wasn’t the one to select it. My makeup is dark and smoky, and my hair is in a neat bun, the quickest do I could come up with after finishing work at the salon and dropping by Axel's to see Hannah.

Tonight, Hannah is supposed to be with me, but Axel is happy to have her an extra night when I have work meetings. I feel like I've had a lot of those lately, and it’s wearing me down. I just want to have a quiet night with my little girl, but the thought of bringing her back to my place tonight wasn’t all that appealing, knowing someone is watching me. So, this afternoon while I was visiting her, I pulled up my big girl panties and talked to her dad about my accommodation problem. Surprisingly, he didn’t say "I told you so" or act like an arrogant asshole about it. He was understanding and even offered to find me somewhere safer for the two of us to live until things settle down. He has certainly lost his cold edge since Jasmine came into the picture, and I’m grateful for that.

I approach the restaurant, feeling the flip-flop of my stomach as I get closer. Tony wouldn’t give any clues as to who I'm meeting with tonight, so it really could be anyone with connections to our family. Especially when he saysold friend, we have a lot of those. Some I would be more welcoming to than others, but I’m feeling positive that I might get some of the answers I’m after. And if things go south, I have my pistol in my purse, and with my nerves on edge the way they are, I’m most certainly not afraid to use it.

I walk through the doors to Antonio’s with my head held high and shoulders back. I need to come across as confident, even if I don’t feel it tonight. The air is filled with the smell of garlic and melted cheese, and my stomach rumbles with the memory of family meals enjoyed in this place. “I have a reservation under Acevedo,” I tell the host at the reservation desk.

“Yes, of course, Ms. Acevedo, I can show you to your table.” He smiles toward me nervously as he shows me through the almost-empty restaurant to a table at the back. It’s almost eight. Apparently, my guest could only make it for a late dinner, which suits me just fine. Fewer local busybodies glaring at me like I’m some local attraction. At least that’s what it feels like since Tony faked his death and left me to clean up his mess. And there are still enough people around that whoever I’m meeting with won’t be able to cause a scene without others knowing about it.

I take a seat facing the restaurant so I can observe my surroundings while I wait. The anticipation churns my stomach with nervous energy. I pour myself a water and take a sip, trying to calm the uncomfortable anxiety. The waiting makes it worse than it already was. Whoever Tony has me meeting must be running late. Rude, when they set this thing up.

I glance over the menu. If I must be here, I might as well eat something nice. This place has the finest Italian cuisine in town. It was owned by my family for three generations until the Riveras took it over.

When I look back up, I notice a couple making their way to a table. The woman is beautiful, with a short blonde bob. She's wearing a soft-looking white dress, and the man is in a charcoal suit. His dark eyes meet mine with a glare, and my heart skips a beat because I’m so surprised to see him here at this time of night. It's Leo. Normally by now he would be at one of the clubs, but maybe he has a date. What a sickening thought. Not one I had even considered until this exact moment, that Leo could be dating other people. What we have is most definitely not an exclusive arrangement. It’s not even a relationship. He could be doing whatever he wants in his own time, even if the thought of it makes me jealous as hell.

I look the woman over, taking in her features, except I feel like I know her face. And then it clicks. I do know her. Leo is here with one of the Harper girls, the older one. Amelia, the fashion designer. She’s just as pretty as her sister Jasmine. Their perfection makes me sick. No one can be that wonderful. Him being here with her also gets under my skin in a way I didn’t expect. I wonder why they're here together. Is this why Tony wanted me here tonight? To spy on them? Or to prove how little I actually mean to Leo. That is more his style, to have me dress up and watch as he wines and dines some other woman right in front of me.

They take a seat at a table set for four, and before they have had a chance to order drinks, two other men join them. One I recognize as Leo’s brother Kobe, and the other I’m not sure about. My jealousy settles a little knowing it’s not a cozy dinner date for the two of them but probably more of a dinner meeting. Leo’s gaze finds mine again, and I know he’s curious as to why I’m here. Him and me both. If my dinner date doesn’t show soon, though, I’m ordering without them.

I don’t know why, but I offer Leo a little smile, my nerves disappearing knowing he's in the same room as me. I haven’t seen him since we had that fight in the desert. He looks so handsome in his expensive suit. I wish I was having dinner with him tonight instead of a stranger. To my surprise, he offers a half-smile back. It makes me want to run over there and tell him everything. Tell him I can’t be strong anymore, that I’m falling apart and I need him to save me. But his smile fades, and he looks away, back to the beautiful woman sitting across from him.

Through the picture windows at the front of the restaurant I see a ghost. Someone I haven’t seen in a really long time. I’m seeing things. I have to be. My pulse instantly races, and for a split second I think I might make a run for the back door, but fear has me frozen to the solid chair below me. Kylo King, the man I still see in my nightmares, is walking into the restaurant and right over to me. I thought he was in prison. Tony told me he got rid of him after what he did. He walks with a cocky confidence for a man who knows he shouldn’t be in this town or in a restaurant run by the Riveras. He makes eye contact with me and smirks sardonically in my direction as he walks toward my table.

My heart races, not knowing what to do. Tony wouldn’t have set this up, he knows who this person is to me, but as Kylo walks toward my table, I already know Tony has. I stand, getting ready to make a quick exit. I don’t know what sick game my brother is playing, but I’m having no part of it. I need to get as far away from him as I can.

He catches my shoulder, pulling me into him, dropping his mouth to my ear, his calloused fingers digging into my bare flesh so hard I know it will leave a mark. Panic ripples through me when his breath hits my neck. “Don’t make a scene, little princess, it’s the last thing either of us need. Be a good girl and sit down so we can talk without interrupting our good friends the Riveras' meal.” He uses the same nickname for me that Leo does, but coming from Kylo’s mouth, I hate it. It’s not said with fondness but more a reminder of who he is to me. And the history we share.

I don’t know why, but I do as he says, his hand forcing me back into my chair. Fear stops my brain from being able to think or move or do anything about getting away from him. I just keep thinking on repeat that Tony has set me up, and Leo is going to think I’m in on whatever it is the Kings are up to. His words come back to me from the other night.Are you working for them? I’ll give you one chance, Piper, and if you fucking lie to me, that’s it.I glance over to his table. He’s not there, but the other three are. My eyes shift around the room, searching for him.

---