Maddox
Piper and I go to bed, and when I wake up, she’s completely wrapped around me. Like a little kitten, she’s turned to me for comfort, and I won’t forget this feeling.
Ever.
Carefully, so as not to wake her, I slip out of bed and call Dylan. I explain the situation and let him know we’re going to be coming in. I want him to be the one to take Piper’s statement. She’s been through hell and back again, and the last thing I want is for someone who doesn’t understand domestic abuse or violence to freak her out or treat her harshly. Dylan lets me know when he’ll be in, and I head to the shower.
As the water washes over me, I’m filled with a mix of emotions.
Rage at Tad. Rage at what he did. Rage at the way he hurt the woman I love. No, I might not know Piper very well, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that he should have treasured her, taken care of her, adored her. He should have fucking worshipped her, and he didn’t.
I’m filled with relief that Piper is okay, that she’s safe. I’m relieved Odessa and I got to her before Tad found her. I’m relieved we’re going to talk with Dylan. I’m relieved she’s going in with me.
I’m filled with desire because Piper Queen is absolutely beautiful, absolutely delightful. I want to lose myself in her, and if I’m not careful, I just might.
I couldn’t pinpoint exactly why I hadn’t taken a serious submissive since joining Anchored. I like to play and I like to have fun. I like to watch people making love and I love to be watched. I like to learn. I like the excitement, the teasing involved in exhibitionism in this way, but when Piper is in my arms, I know exactly why I didn’t take a sub before this.
It’s because Piper is the one for me.
I never really knew if I believed in true love. I never knew if I believed in that whole “perfect someone” thing. I’m still not sure if I believe in destiny, but I do believe that when Piper is with me, I feel right. I feel whole. Something deep inside of me clicks, and the whole world feels right.
What is that feeling, if not love?
“Hey,” Piper climbs into the shower with me and wraps her arms around my body. Her blonde hair is messy and tousled, but she’s got a bright smile on her face. “Good morning, handsome.”
“Good morning, sweetie.”
I kiss her, quietly promising her once more that everything is going to be okay. I’m going to protect Piper with everything I have, with everything I am. I’ll protect her if it’s the last thing I do. Tad might be free from prison, but he’s not getting anywhere near my girl.
***
It’s mid-morning when we arrive at the police station. As promised, Dylan is ready and waiting to take Piper’s statement. She seems surprised when Dylan comes forward and doesn’t shake my hand. Instead, he wraps his arms around me in a tight hug.
“I’ve missed you, brother.”
“Missed you, too, man.”
He doesn’t ask me if I’m coming back, but I know it’s on the tip of his tongue. Dylan and I worked together for a very long time, and even though I’m no longer on the force, there’s no one I trust more than him. He’s a good man and a damn good cop. Maybe one of these days I’ll get him to come to Anchored and meet a nice girl he can settle down with.
“And you must be Piper Queen,” he turns to Piper and shakes her hand. Piper suddenly looks nervous, but she squares her shoulders and stands up straight. She’s determined. I’ll give her that much.
“Nice to meet you, officer,” she says.
“Dylan is fine,” he says with a smile. He shoots me a sideways glance, and he doesn’t have to speak for me to know what he’s asking. I nod slightly, and he smiles. “It’s so great to meet you,” he adds to Piper, and I roll my eyes.
Yeah, Dylan can read me like a damn book.
He wants to know if Piper is the one for me?
Yeah, she’s the one for me.
She’s not some random hook-up.
She’s not just “some girl.”
She’s the one I want to be coming home to forever and always.
“I’ve got a room we can speak in,” he says. “It’ll be private and a bit more quiet. As you can see,” he motions around the room filled with desks and noise. “Things are a little crazy today.”
He leads us to a quiet space and brings Piper a cup of coffee. Once we’re all settled, I hand over the bags full of letters from Tad. Each letter is in its own bag, and although they’ve already been compromised from Piper touching them, having the letters in plastic will reduce further contamination if the police department decides to run them for prints.
“So the guy’s a talker,” Dylan picks up one letter, and a frown spreads over his face as he reads it. He looks up at me, and something silent passes between us, something Piper doesn’t pick up on.
Dylan instantly hates this asshole just as much as I do, and together, we’re going to catch him and make him pay for what he did to Piper. He’s not going to hurt her again. He’s going to go right back to prison and this time, it’s going to be for good.
“All right, Miss Queen,” Dylan pastes a smile on his face and turns to Piper. “Why don’t you start from the beginning?”
Piper takes a deep breath, looks at me, and squeezes my hand.
Then she starts talking.