Page 23 of Piper's Pyro

“What about Spectre and Piper?”

“Cobra will set Spectre straight. And Piper… I’d rather not know what kind of trouble she gets into. Letting her live her life isn’t easy, but I’m a dad now to a baby girl. Someday I’ll have to let Cherish be her own person too.” He winced like the thought of his daughter growing up gave him pain, then he left.

Cherish was a lucky little girl. Couldn’t say I’d be as cool as Hustler if I were to have a kid.

My throat constricted. I was unfit to be a father. A danger to innocent children, fuck to anyone, really.

Piper’s laughter grated on my nerves. I hated wanting her. Hated the envy gnawing on my flesh. Hated the things I’d done that made me unworthy of happiness and love.

I took two more shots and drank them. I barely had a buzz. It’d take an entire bottle of tequila to get me wasted… To help me forget and make it through the night.

But I knew what would do the trick. I made my way to Singe, jerking my chin at him when he saw me coming. I tapped my pocket to clue him in on what I was after.

“I got you.” He mouthed the three words. My heart quickened as he dug out a packet and passed it to me.

“Thanks.” I turned on my heel, and the air was stolen from my lungs. Flint and Piper were going at each other, kissing and pawing.

Anger spread through my chest and jealousy ravaged my soul. She wasn’t mine. I shouldn’t feel this way about a woman I had kicked out of bed after using her body for my depraved needs. But there was something about her that called to me. The honorable thing would be to walk away and never look back. If she gave me the time of day, I’d ruin her. Or she’d destroy me.

I rubbed the packet of blow between my thumb and finger, weighing my options.

One line would calm my nerves.

Two lines would make me want to have a threesome with them.

Three lines would send me into orbit where I wouldn’t give a fuck what Piper did and with who.

I returned to the dressing room and poured the white powder onto a table. I used a business card to make the lines.

Don’t do it. Fight the goddamn urge.

But everything hurts. I don’t want to feel the pain.

I spotted a pack of cigarettes, took one, and lit it. I inhaled the nicotine into my lungs, knowing it wouldn’t do shit for an addict like me. Puffing on the cancer stick would only delay the inevitable for a minute or two.

Expensive champagne and gourmet truffles were what I craved. She would be the ultimate fix…

Supple lips.

Juicy cunt.

Moans of ecstasy.

Go get her. You had her first.

But I kicked her out. I’m no good for her, not that she’d ever want me. Besides, Flint always gets the girls.

“What are you doing?”

I peered over my shoulder at Spectre. “What does it look like?”

“Drugs aren’t allowed in the club. We could get shut down.”

“Relax. No one’s dealing. It’s for medicinal purposes.” I snorted as I removed the smoke from between my lips.

“Medicinal purposes, that’s funny.” He chuckled sardonically. “Now clean that shit up before I toss you out on your ass, drummer boy.”

I vaulted off the sofa and got in his face. “You don’t want to mess with me, biker boy.”