Page 29 of Violent Truth
His words repeat in my head like a distorted, broken record. Maybe Dice is onto something. Maybe this isn’t about being rejected. Maybe this is about the fear that I don’t deserve anything. Not my parents. Not Piper.
Not even Dice.
Deep down, I know Dice wants to help me in his own messed up way. Maybe he needs the blessing of the yakuza or something. And hell, if that’s how he handles his process, then I need to accept him for who he is. He’s done so much for me already.
He’s right. Now isn’t the right time for him to intervene, and he’s the only one who can make that decision for himself. I can’t control his actions.
But I’m tired of waiting, and I’m done with relying on other people to help me.
I’m going to go after Piper myself. And when I find her, I’m going to tell Dice I’m sorry for storming out.
By the time the afternoon hits, I’ve dyed my hair bright blue like Mr. Harry likes it. I select a lingerie set in the same shade. The new look is like armor, and I need all the power I can get.
I call Mr. Harry.
“Sweetie, you know I’m going to be there later,” Mr. Harry croons. “I thought you started your shift at ten tonight?”
“Actually, I was thinking we could do something more one-on-one,” I say. He lets out a gasp in playful shock. “You’re not busy with your brother, are you?”
Mr. Harry chuckles to himself. He must not have any idea that his brother is dead.
“That asshole always disappears on me. I don’t know where he is right now. You know I’m sorry about the way he treated you though, right?”
I let out a puff of air. Mr. Harry isn’t responsible for his brother’s outburst; he’s responsible for himself. And once I find out what Mr. Harry did to my best friend, I’m going to make him pay.
I can be nice.For now.
“It’s no big deal,” I say. To Dice, it was a big deal, and I need to thank him for that.
“Let’s go to the steakhouse,” Mr. Harry says. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“I’d rather eat at your place,” I say. “You know what I mean.Alone.”
He whistles. “You’re serious?”
“Of course.”
“All right. I’ll send you the address. See you soon.”
When I get to Mr. Harry’s house, the sun has set, casting the desert in dark blue shadows. I pull my hoodie tighter over my chest as I wait for the gates to open.
I can still change my mind. I don’t have to do this.
But I have to know for sure. I have to save Piper.
The gates open. I take the driveway up to the house. My stomach churns. I step out of the car and slam the door.
“There she is,” Mr. Harry says from the darkness. He takes the steps down to the driveway, his cream button-up shirt open at the top, exposing his chest hair. “You look gorgeous in blue.” He wraps a hand around my back. “Now, tell me. What on earth did I do to get a woman like you in my home?”
His face is placid. He’s always followed the rules at the club. A customer like him issupposedto be trustworthy. And I swear, that’s exactly what screwed Piper over.
I swallow down the disbelief, then give him my stage smile.
“I just wanted to say thank you,” I say. “With the way your brother acted the other night, you made him apologize. Not many people would do that.” I lift my shoulders. “It made me realize I can trust you.”
He squeezes my waist. “Good. You can always trust me, sweetie.”
Inside the foyer, I remove my sweatpants and hoodie. Mr. Harry takes in my lingerie set, cooing out lavish compliments.
