Page 54 of His Virgin Angel

“Yeah, and that love has never felt so painful before.” He rubbed at his chest. “I advise you never hide who you are. When it comes and bites you in the ass, it’s going to sting a hell of a lot more. I feel like I’m dying inside.”

“What are you going to do?” Drake asked.

“I’ll give her the time she needs, and space. I want her every single need taken care of. I don’t want her hurt, or any harm to come to her, understand?” he asked.

“Yes. I’ll take care of it.”

“Good. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to see how much of this whiskey I can drink before the world fades away.”

****

Days and weeks blended together for Piper. She didn’t move out of the apartment, nor did she change her routine. Waking up in the morning, she got Brian ready for school, dropped him off, went to college, picked him up, left him with the babysitter, went to work. When the day was finished, she went to bed, and the routine started again. It was how her life always was, only before there were little sparks of excitement. Joy at the prospect of seeing Jack, or Drake. So far, in three weeks she hadn’t seen anyone.

No Jack.

No Drake.

She missed them both.

Staring at Jack’s booth in the restaurant one Friday four weeks after being taken, she felt flooded with pain.

“You’re starting to scare us all, you know,” Luther said, drawing her attention to him.

“Sorry?”

“You haven’t smiled in a month, Piper. I can’t recall you ever looking this dead.”

“I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“It’s odd that Jack hasn’t been around either.”

“We, erm, had a fight.” She looked around the restaurant, and leaned in close. “Do you know the truth about him?”

Luther smiled. “We all do. I’ve been working here for five years. Love it, and I love the protection being Jack’s employee offers me. It’s safe.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Before you came along, he was known as being an asshole. There was no regularity to his day. He didn’t spend more than a couple of days with any one woman. You were different.”

“Luther…”

He held his hands up. “I’m not one to meddle, okay? I see you hurting, and I’ve not seen Jack in a long time, but I hear rumors. You were good for each other, but it’s your decision to make.”

She let out a breath as he left her to her thoughts.

Closing her eyes, she rubbed at her temples. Forcing her thoughts back, she focused on serving her tables, and offering them the best ever service. Every time the door opened, she hoped it was Jack.

Dammit.

She missed him so much.

No matter what she tried to think about to justify her leaving, it just wasn’t working. She loved him, and being without him was hurting her.

Leaving the restaurant, she was making her way down the long street when a car pulled up. She saw Drake, and her heart skipped a beat.

“Drake,” she said.

“Hello, Piper. I was hoping I’d catch you.”

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