Chapter Twelve

Deepest Darkest

 

 

The lull in emails was done.

I knew because I was sitting at my desk, frozen in terror as I looked at myself.

Being fucked.

In a car.

The picture was dark and fuzzy, our faces impossible to make out. Based on the positioning, though, it was obvious what was happening.

I knew it was us. Which meant someone else did, too.

Someone who watched us.

With shaking hands, I grabbed my phone and touched the screen a few times to call Jake.

“Hey, babe. I was just thinkin’ about you.”

“Jake,” I whimpered, fear soaking into my voice. Soaking into me.

“What’s wrong?”

“I got another email.”

Could someone be watching or listening right now?

“I’m on my way. I’ll call Dad and we’ll be there soon.”

“No!”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“There’s a picture. You can’t call your dad, Jake. He can’t see it.” I was mortified at the thought of Gregory even knowing about the picture. I didn’t want him to see it.

“What is it?”

“You and me on the way home from Voodoo. When we pulled off on the side of the road.” I heard Jake’s breathing change, then something crash. “Jake?”

“I’m here.” Jake’s voice was thick and gravelly. “I’m leavin’ now. Dad will be fine. Call Detective Oscar. Do you still have her number?”

“Yeah.”

Gregory had told us he’d specifically asked for Detective Oscar to look into things. When she’d come with him to pick up one of the flower deliveries, I’d been surprised at how young she was.

Since she was a detective at her age, she obviously worked hard. Though she was very attractive, it was her no-nonsense attitude and confidence that stood out.

Okay, so I was completely wrong and there’s something going on. At least I have a tough fiancé and detective at my back.

“Call her. I’m headin’ out now. Lock the door, yeah?”

“It already is.”

“Okay, sweets. I love you. See you soon.”

I disconnected and dialed again.

“Detective Oscar,” she answered after a few rings.

“Hello, this is Piper Skye.”

“Miss Skye, what can I do for you?”

“I got another email.” Though I tried to fake strength, the fear once again seeped into my voice.

“I’ll be right over. Your door locked?”

“Yes.”

“I’m on my way. I’ll announce myself when I get there, okay?”

After ending the call, I began to pace the room but stayed away from the big window. The way it let so much sun in had been one of the main reasons I bought this house.

At that moment, though, I hated it.

Leaning against a wall, I took some deep breaths in an attempt to calm down.

I knew I failed when the knock sounded and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

*******

After we got home that night from Voodoo, I took care of my bathroom stuff and got ready to go to sleep. I crawled up Jake in bed and snuggled my face into his neck.

“Jake?”

“Hmm?” he rumbled, his hands rubbing my back.

“What did the emails say?”

“Shit about how hot you are and how beautiful your smile is. Since the flowers have been comin’ more and they haven’t been able to track down from where, Detective Oscar and my dad think it might be connected.”

“What about the email tracking on my computer?”

“The locations are pinging from all over. Either there’s more than one person or they’ve got some serious tech skills. Until we figure it out, you’ve gotta be careful, yeah?”

I nodded as a shiver ran through me. Not wanting to think about it, I moved on to another subject I was curious about. “So, about Rhys—”

“Not my place to say.”

“Please?”

“Sweets, I don’t think Rhys even wants you to know. Ray shouldn’t have said anythin’.”

“But she did. And now I want to know. I don’t want to ask him, that’d be awkward. But you know I will,” I threatened, even though I totally wouldn’t. Not unless I was drunk, at least. “Is he… you know?”

“He’s in charge. Of Rye, but also of all areas of his life. I might like to fuck bossy, but Rhys takes it to a whole other level.”

“I never would’ve guessed that.”

“Everybody has their own kink.”

“What’s yours?” I dragged the tip of my tongue along his stubbled jaw.

“Corruptin’ and teachin’ my woman all the ways I like control while makin’ her mine.”

“How coincidental. My kink is to be corrupted by my man while he teaches me things I’ve only read about.”

“How about we work more on those lessons? Turn around and face the other way on me, yeah?”

I learned a lot that night.

*******

I’d been safe since Jake told me about the emails because he hadn’t given me much choice. He’d started coming with me when I had deliveries or errands to run. When he couldn’t break away, he’d rope one of the boys into taking me.

Key was my favorite since he was so quiet. Usually I forgot he was even there. Xavier and Eli both liked to chat, which was fun, but not very productive.

Unless I had no other options, Kase was banned from helping. Especially when it came to deliveries. Him flirting with brides wasn't good for business. Not that any of them were complaining, of course.

Of them all, Z was even worse than Jake. He was so alert while we shopped that it put me on edge. When he dropped me off at home, he’d made me wait in his car while he did a walkthrough, saying, “Better safe than sorry, Doll Face.”

When I brought up Z’s intense surveillance, Jake told me it’s because he’d been Special Forces. “Don’t know the details. Just know it fucked with his head, the same way it’d fuck anyone. He doesn’t talk about it. Ever. Yeah?”

I nodded. I might like to chat, but even I knew not to go there.

*******

Though I was being cautious, it had only been for Jake’s peace of mind. I hadn’t believed there was a real threat.

Until that email.

“Miss Skye? It’s Detective Oscar,” I heard through the door.

I threw the locks and opened it to let her in.

Though she was only a couple inches taller than me, her authority made her appear much larger. Her brown eyes were warm but sharp as she looked me over. “How are you?”

“Uh, if I say brave and fierce, can we pretend I look it?”

Her lips quirked up. “Of course. Are Jake and Gregory coming?”

“Yeah, Jake should be here soon. He said he’d call his dad.”

“Okay. Why don’t you show me the email while we’re waiting?”

I brought her over to my laptop and moved my finger on the pad to wake it up. My stomach lurched again as I looked at the picture.

Detective Oscar opened a notepad and began writing in it. “How long ago did this take place?”

“A few days ago.”

“Where were you parked?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I’d been drinking at a club, Voodoo, and Jake came to pick me up. So somewhere between there and here.” My cheeks were hot with embarrassment, but I was also pale and clammy. It was an unpleasant sensation.

“Do you know what time it was?”

“Probably midnight or so?”

“Anyone at Voodoo acting weird, giving you too much attention, making you feel uncomfortable?”

I shook my head. “Edge, the owner, and Kase, a friend and employee of Jake’s, were there with me and my friends. I guess they played blocker during the night. But nothing seemed out of sorts. No one made a scene or anything.”

I heard Jake’s Harley roar up my driveway. Opening the door, he came straight to me and crouched near where I sat on the couch. “You okay, sweets?” His thumb stroked my jaw as his eyes searched my face.

I shrugged. “I’ve been better.”

Jake looked at my laptop and saw the picture of us doing something that should have been private.

Standing, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white. His body was rigid and a muscle in his jaw jumped.

Reaching out suddenly, he snatched the lamp off the table and side armed it across the room.

It hit the wall with so much force that it looked like it exploded, shattering into tiny shards of nothing.

I couldn’t hold back when my laughter bubbled out. Jake and Detective Oscar both turned to look at me, most likely trying to assess if I going into hysterics. “Sorry, sorry. It’s just that that lamp was a housewarming gift from my mother. I hated it and wanted to break it just so I wouldn’t have to look at it anymore. You did me a favor.”

“I’ll still buy you a new one.”

I shrugged. “We’ll wait until we get our own home, then pick one out together.”

Some of the tension left Jake’s body. “Sounds good.”

“So—”

A knock interrupted, making me jump and Jake tense again. He looked out the window before opening the door.

“Sweetheart, how’re you?” Gregory asked as he came straight to me. His green eyes searched my face in much the same way as Jake’s had.

“I’m better now, thank you. Sorry for interrupting your day.”

“Don’t even think about it.” His expression switched from concerned to all business. “What’s happened?”

Detective Oscar took control and filled Gregory in.

I was grateful to be saved from the embarrassment of telling my future father-in-law that his son and I had been photographed going at it at the side of the road. I’d have preferred he didn’t have to know at all, but since he did, I was relieved I didn’t have to be the one to say it. My face was on fire from just hearing it.

Jake sat on the arm of the couch and rubbed my neck. As Gregory and Detective Oscar talked about the dead ends they were hitting in the investigation, he got up and paced.

Bet he wishes I had another lamp to throw.

“So, what’s the next step?” Jake asked. His patience had clearly run out.

“Vigilance,” Detective Oscar said. “Be aware of who’s around you. If you get a feeling, Piper, don’t try to convince yourself it’s nothing. Leave. Call me. Call Jake. Call anyone and do it loudly. Don’t go out alone. I’d suggest changing your email address, but I know it’s your work one. Still, change it if you can swing that. I’d definitely recommend buying a new laptop. Before you even turn it on, though, bring it by the station and they’ll put the tracker on it. See about replacing your phone, too. These things are easy to dig into. Most bad hackers barely get in before virus protection or firewalls shut them down. But with some serious skill, they can get in so deep there’s no scan that can detect them.”

“We’ll go tonight,” Jake said instantly.

For once, I wasn’t going to put up a fight when Jake said he was paying. I kept looking at my laptop and bracing, like it was a viper about to strike.

“Good idea. However, and I’m sure you both realize this now, the threat is real. We’d hoped to track down some punk that saw your pictures in the news, but that’s not what’s happening here. Stay safe. Don’t do anything that would put you at undue risk.” She jerked her head towards the picture on the laptop.

Yeah, I don’t see any roadside booty happening again anytime soon.

Or ever.

“I’m going to head back to the station and start digging in with the tech guys. Piper, bring by the new computer.” With a nod goodbye, she left looking totally badass.

“I need to get home to your mother. She’s worried,” Gregory said as he headed towards the door. “Call her soon, yeah?”

Huh, that sounds familiar.

“Yeah. Thanks, Dad.”

“Anything for you. Call me day or night. Love you.” He stepped outside and closed the door after him. “Lock that.”

Yup, definitely familiar.

*******

“Here’s your computer back, Miss Skye.”

“Thanks.”

“He with you?” Detective Oscar asked with a head jerk towards Rhys.

“Yeah. Jake’s recruiting from our pool of friends for ‘Piper Babysitting Duty’.”

“Don’t be stubborn about letting them help.” Her expression softened. “Speaking of Jake, it looks like he’s here to relieve the sitter.”

Turning around, I saw him stop and talk to Rhys. “Weird. He wasn’t expecting to be done at work until late tonight.” I looked at him again as he headed towards us. “Shit. Something’s wrong.”

Detective Oscar’s head tilted for a second before her body got tight. “You can say that again.” Her face returned to controlled and professional. “Mr. Hyde.”

Jake’s vibe was dark and tense, his tone short and clipped. “Detective Oscar, a word?”

“What’s wrong?” I asked, going up on my tiptoes to try and make him look at me.

Instead, he kissed my forehead distractedly. “I just need to talk to Detective Oscar about somethin’. Go see, Rhys, yeah?”

“Come on, darlin’. Let’s get some coffee.” Rhys put his arm around my shoulders and guided me towards a small kitchenette.

When Jake didn’t even react, I knew something wasn’t wrong.

Something was really wrong.

After what felt like hours, but was probably only about five minutes, Detective Oscar opened a door and stuck her head out. “Miss Skye, can you come in here?”

My stomach twisted and turned as I made my way to the room she was in.

I hadn’t noticed Rhys following until Detective Oscar looked behind me. “Sir, I think it might be best if you waited out here.”

“And I think it might be best if I came,” Rhys’ low voice argued, his easy smile gone.

“Detective Oscar,” Jake rumbled from inside the room. “Like you said, the more Piper and those around her know, the better.”

“Fine. Miss Skye and…” she paused, waiting for Rhys to introduce himself. When he just looked down at her silently, she continued. “Sir, please take a seat.” Detective Oscar walked around her desk and sat down.

Stiffly, I lowered myself into one of the chairs in front of her. My body was taut and rigid as I sat, literally, on the edge of my seat and waited to hear what was going on.

Jake stood behind me and gave my shoulder a squeeze. His thumb ran along the nape of my neck.

I turned to look back at him, but his focus was on a bagged envelope on Detective Oscar’s desk.

Rhys leaned against the wall by the door. Catching his gaze, he smiled at me but his dimples were barely noticeable.

Uh oh. Something is really freakin’ wrong.

“Jake got a package at work today.” After putting on gloves, Detective Oscar moved an evidence bag with a manila envelope in it to uncover two more bags. Grabbing one, she carefully opened it and removed a ball of fabric.

As it unraveled, I realized what they were.

“Those are my panties,” I whispered.

“Have you worn these recently?”

“A few days ago. When… Oh my God. The night I went to Voodoo.” Wide eyed, I gestured with my head back to Jake.

“Did you throw them out? Go to the gym in them? The laundry mat? Anywhere where they’d have been outside of your house?”

I shook my head as I tried to find some excuse for why my panties weren’t at my house. My home. “No. I have a washer and dryer at home. Tomorrow’s laundry day. They were in my hamper.”

When Jake began rubbing my arms, I noticed I was shivering.

“I’m going to be honest, this was an extreme escalation. This isn’t cyber stalking, or even regular stalking. Someone obviously broke into your house. There was a note included in the package, Miss Skye.” Grabbing the other evidence bag, she moved it so I could see.

I leaned down to see the frantic scrawl on a torn piece of paper.

 

Next time she creams her panties, it’ll be for me.

 

“Wait, what?” Like my brain was trying to protect me, the words were a meaningless jumble. As realization dawned, I wished I hadn’t tried so hard to understand. A strangled sob broke free and my shivering intensified, the chair vibrating and rattling from the movement. “Why?”

Detective Oscar shook her head sadly. “I wish I knew. There’s something else. Another reason this is an extreme escalation. It appears as though there’s fresh ejaculate on these.”

Lifting a small table, Jake jerked it up so he was gripping the bottom of two legs. Assuming a batting stance, he stepped into it as he swung forcefully, putting all of his weight into the momentum. Time seemed to slow down as the table hit the wall. Like an explosion in an action movie, the wood imploded as it splintered into pieces.

When the door burst open, I was vaguely aware of Rhys moving to stand in front of me. However, my eyes were locked on Jake.

His fury radiated as he dropped the jagged posts and turned back towards the desk. “Are you sayin’ some sicko jacked off on my woman’s panties? And then sent them to me in the fuckin’ mail?” he bellowed, making the room feel as though it was shaking.

Detective Oscar’s face softened again. “Yes, but also no, I’m sorry, that isn’t what I’m saying. There’s no postage on this envelope. No evidence it’s been through the postal service. This was hand delivered.”

“You’ve gotta be fuckin’ kiddin’ me!”

“Who has access to your office?”

“Anyone. Everyone. I got a safe I keep anythin’ valuable in, but the door is unlocked.”

“I need any surveillance you have, Mr. Hyde. I’ll contact businesses around you to see if anyone has seen anything. We’ll also check if there are other cameras in the vicinity that might’ve picked something up. In the meantime, I’m going to send these off for analysis. In fact, Mendez and Franklin here will take them to the lab.” With a nod, she held them out to the officers that had burst in.

“That means you might be able to get the DNA, right? And if there’s DNA, he might be in a system? Or it could help when you catch him?” I preferred to look at the one positive thing that could come out of having my privacy so grossly violated.

“If it is confirmed that this is ejaculate and there’s DNA, it will help. But you need to remember this kind of extreme escalation is a double-edged sword. On one side, he’s breaking his pattern. Instead of the occasional emails, and most likely the flowers too, he’s increasing both in timeframe and actions. He’s pushing for a reaction.”

He’s about to get one in the form of me losing my lunch on my shoes.

“And he’s getting stupid. All of this could make him easier to apprehend. But I need to stress that this level of recklessness could also make him more dangerous.” She gestured between Jake and I. “When things were casual, or maybe before you got together, the occasional flower delivery was sufficient. As your relationship is progressing, so is his desperation. His obsession with you is surpassing his desire to not get caught.”

“Fuck,” Jake cursed roughly.

“Jake, we’ll need to swab for your DNA so we can exclude it.”

Clenching his jaw, he jerked his chin up.

“How long do the results take to come back?” I asked.

“It’s not like on TV. DNA is temperamental and it takes a while for the analysis to come back. After that, there’s the additional time to search through multiple databases. In the meantime, keep safe. Continue to have friends go everywhere with you.” Her voice softened. “We’ll get him, Piper. Just stay watchful and vigilant. Contact me day or night, okay?”

“Yes, thank you, Detective Oscar.” My legs shook as I stood and began walking to the door.

“Come on, sweets. We’ll head to the condo for the day.” Jake’s arm wrapped tight around me.

“No. I have so much to do and want to work. It’ll help.” I felt numb, my mind in a fog as I tried to process everything.

“Okay, we’ll go to Hyde’s.” With a nod to the detective, he guided me from the room.

Rhys fell in step behind us, a silent guard.

Jake touched his pockets. “I ran out of the shop without my phone. Call Ray and get her to head to your place with Edge and some of the security if he can swing it. Have her pack a bunch of your stuff for the condo, yeah?”

I nodded, pulling my phone out as we exited the station.

*******

“You need to cancel that cake,” Jake said, storming into the Hyde kitchen a few days later.

I didn't have to ask which one he was referring to.

After our argument about Blake Green, Jake had tried to be cool and supportive about me doing the cakes. More so after our skeevy and upsetting visit to the police station.

I knew it wasn’t easy for him. So, making myself a total hypocrite, I didn’t tell him any of the shit Blake spewed.

I tuned Blake out and never even showed a reaction to any of the ridiculous things he said. Since I usually wanted to laugh in his face or roll my eyes so hard I’d give myself a headache, it was sometimes tough not to respond. When it became difficult to remain professional, I’d just remind myself how many opportunities this job could bring.

I’d thought things were moving along tolerably. Based on Jake's tone, however, I was wrong.

I sighed and continued washing measuring cups without looking at him. “I’m not cancelling. What’s up?”

“You tried goin’ through Rhys but Green shot that shit down. Now every fuckin’ day he’s callin’ to talk about the cake. Needin’ to get together to change somethin’. I don’t trust him.”

“Neither do I,” I readily agreed. “Which is why Rhys is there. Or Kase is there. Or Z. Or Eli. Or Key. Or any combination of them.” Picking up a dishrag, I turned to face Jake as I dried my hands off.

“Well, next time I’ll be there.”

“No way. Not gonna happen. We don’t need a repeat of the Tools for Teens event. He’ll poke the bear. The bear will punch him in the face. Then the bear will fuck me up against a wall.” The towel in my hand flipped back and forth as I talked. I tossed it on the counter before I accidentally hit myself in the face. Again. “I’m all for the wall fuck, so can we just skip the other steps?”

“I don’t like the shit he says to you.”

“Yeah, what about Chloe? She’s still texting you, but you don’t see me bugging out.”

Jake leaned on the table and shrugged. “I ignore her shit.”

“And I ignore his.”

“Yeah, but he’s in your space. I can hit delete on a message without readin’ it. You can’t mute Green.”

“Yeah I can. He starts talking, and there’s this little black and white cow in a grass skirt that pops into my head. She dances the hula and plays a ukulele, and I don’t hear any of the white noise that comes out of his mouth. I’ve got a handle on this. I’ve gotten this far, and it’s almost done. If I do this, I’ll be a lot closer to hiring help and expanding.”

“You shouldn’t have to deal—”

“I’m dealing with this for my business, for my dream. You’re dealing with Chloe ‘cause you dipped your dick in crazy. It’ll be done soon and we’ll move on. Until then, you have to trust me.”

“Fuck, Piper, it isn’t you I don’t trust. But you’re so fuckin’ naive! You don’t get it.”

“No, I guess I don’t.” Crossing my arms, I looked up at him. “Explain it.”

“Every day that fucker is comin’ up with new shit to say to get you. To try to take my sweetness. And I’m supposed to just sit back? Fuck that.”

“You know what? I’m gonna be smart and bite my tongue right now. I’ve gotta get going anyways.” Storming out of the kitchen, I hopped in my car and drove to lunch with Ray, completely livid.

After all this time, he still didn’t trust me. There was nothing Blake could say that would make me interested in him. There was definitely nothing he could say that would change the way I felt about Jake.

Only Jake could do that.

*******

“Well, well, well. Look who it is. Jake’s innocent little bitch. Or should I say former innocent little bitch?”

I’ll take catty, shrill voiced bitches I don’t have patience for, for $800 Mr. Trebek.

Oh look, she’s got a friend. Looks like it’s a Daily Double.

“Rachel, dear, didn’t you hear the news? Oh, I forgot, you’re banned and no one is talking to you. Oh, that makes this extra fun then,” Ray said, giving an evil smile.

I turned to look at Rachel and her friend who were both overly made up and showing near indecent amounts of skin. It was only two in the afternoon but they looked like they’d already been partying hard.

Like the karma gods were in on it, I held up my hand at the same time Voodoo's door opened. Sunlight streamed through and hit my engagement ring at the perfect angle to make it sparkle brightly.

“I’m going to be Mrs. Jake’s Innocent Little Bitch Hyde. Boy, that’s a mouthful. I’m thinking I’ll just go by Mrs. Hyde.”

“That’s not what Chloe said,” her side bitch said, looking to Rachel.

“Shut the fuck up, Chrissy,” Rachel hissed, elbowing Chrissy hard in the ribs.

Chrissy continued on as if nothing happened, giving no indication she felt what had to have been a painful jab. “I’m confused. Chloe said she was with Jake and this chick was gone. Why would he give her a ring if they broke up? I don’t get it.” Even with the distance separating us, I could see that her eyes were glazed over. As she talked, her hand kept darting up to rub her nose.

“Holy shit, that bitch is high,” I whispered to Ray.

“As a fuckin’ kite. I already texted Edge, and he and security are on their way. Rachel’s been banned for a while. I don’t know how she got in, but I’m guessing it had to do with the both of them on their knees. I’m also betting whoever is working the entrance is about to lose their job.”

“Chrissy, I said shut up,” Rachel hissed again, her face contorting in anger.

“But Chloe said now that she’s back with Jake, she’s gonna get you unbanned from all the good places. Then you’re gonna get one of the guys, and hook me up with one. I thought I was getting a man,” Chrissy whined.

Pretty sure my boys would rather cut their own dicks off than dip it into noxious snatch.

“Chrissy, I swear to fuck, I’m gonna beat your ass!” Rachel screeched, stepping to her just as security showed up.

“Chloe said she sends him naked pictures all the time. She said that he has always wanted her back.”

Holy fuck.

Jake had kept his promise and told me when Chloe started texting again. However, he hadn’t said a word about pictures.

“Chloe’s a lying, scheming whore. Don’t trust a word outta that bitch’s mouth,” Ray said to Chrissy.

But I knew she was also talking to me.

“She sent Rachel a screenshot of a text from Jake. Show them.”

“I’m really sorry, but she’s right,” Rachel said with fake sympathy as she reached into her bag. She touched her phone a few times before turning it to face Ray and me.

Jake: Fuck, that picture has me so hard. I can’t wait to fuck you again. I have to figure out how to get all of her shit out of my shop and house. Then we won’t have to sneak around. I’m going to come over later, get another taste of you to tide me over. I tried to make myself move on but there is no one else for me. You know what I like without me having to teach you every damn thing.

My stomach lurched and my face heated. The restaurant seemed to fall silent as the blood roared in my ears.

Looking around, I saw that Ray was saying something to me. Edge was screaming at Rachel as security forced her out, but all I heard was Jake’s voice from that morning.

“But you’re so fuckin’ naive!”

Was I?

“I have to go,” I mumbled as I woodenly stood. I knew Ray and Edge were talking, I saw their mouths moving, but I didn’t hear a word they were saying.

Grabbing my bag, I ran to my car and drove to Hyde.

I pulled up to the garage and saw that Jake was already outside waiting for me. When my phone rang, I almost ignored it until I saw Rhys’ name.

After what he’d heard at the police station, he’d started calling or texting more often to check on me. I didn’t want to leave him hanging.

“Hey, hon, now’s not a great time. Can I call you later?”

“Yeah. I just wanted to double check with you about cancelling the cake with Green. I wouldn’t blame you. That dude is a half-ass voice with a full-scale ego. But you seemed so determined.”

I shook my head as if he could see me. “I’m not cancelling.” Looking out the window, I watched Jake pace as his hand rubbed the back of his neck.

“And that’s why I was calling to see. Jake texted that you decided not to do the cake. He offered to pay someone else to take over on such short notice.”

“I have to go. The cake is still a go. Sorry about the confusion.”

“Cut him some slack, yeah? He’s used to making the decisions. It comes with owning a business,” he explained, knowing it wasn’t a misunderstanding that caused Jake to text. “You know he’s protective of you. This is all new to him.”

“Maybe not as new as everyone thinks. Bye, Rhys.” I hung up on him talking.

I’ll feel bad later, but right now I’m pissed.

Beyond pissed.

Furious.

I was barely out of my car when Jake started talking. “I talked to Ray. And Edge. I have no clue what the fuck that message was. I haven’t sent shit to Chloe.”

“Does she send you naked pictures?”

“She could. I delete anythin’ from her without lookin’. I swear to you, I haven’t seen or texted her.”

“Did you cancel my cake order?”

Guilt flashed across his face as he reached for me.

On clumsy feet, I took a few steps back. If he touched me, I’d give in.

I always did.

No wonder he thinks he can just do what he wants.

“Piper.” His voice was rough as he looked at my feet. “I kept thinkin’ about what Green said to you, all the shit about the trash I fucked. How you fuckin’ me made you trash. Then Z told me about some shit he overheard him sayin’. We got enough with the fuckin’ sicko out there. You don’t need to be puttin’ yourself through that.”

“You don’t always get to tell me what to do!” I screamed, stomping my foot. “I’m an adult.”

Minus the foot stomp.

“You need to trust me to know when it’s too much. And it isn’t. I can ignore him. I don’t know where you’re getting all your information from, but he barely says shit to me. He’s a joke. What’s not a joke is you promising to trust me, and then going behind my back to do what you want.”

“Piper, just—” Jake said softly as he reached for me again.

And again, I backed away. It was unmistakable, such was the distance I put between us.

Pain followed by anger shrouded his face.

“I’m supposed to trust that the screenshot I saw, with your name,” I said, pointing at him, “from your number, isn’t you. You expect me to believe you, but you won’t do the same for me.”

“But—”

“I’m not some trashy skank looking to bed hop. Why would anything he says make me change that? What’s the point of being together if you think that little of me? I told you, I’ve got a handle on it. I’m fine!”

Jake raised an eyebrow. “Are you fine, Piper?” His voice was low, his tone misleadingly soft. “How fine? You so set on doin’ this cake ‘cause you like spendin’ time with Green? Hearin’ all the things he wants to do to you? I know you email with Jet and the guys all the time, sendin’ shit to them wherever they are.”

I threw my hands up in frustration. “Yeah, ‘cause we’re friends.”

“Maybe you really are just a fuckin’ act. No one’s this naive.”

“I’m not—”

As he prowled towards me, I backed away until my body hit the side of the building. Not in fear.

In heartache.

“Slummin’ it with a fuckin’ mechanic gettin’ old for you? Does it turn you on to have famous rock stars hard for you? Knowin’ they jack off thinkin’ about you? Make you wanna go all groupie on their rocker dicks?” Jake’s voice was malicious as he fired off his questions in rapid succession, each one hitting like a physical blow.

“Whoa, too far, man,” Xavier barked before I could say anything.

“Step back, dude,” Kase warned, wedging himself between Jake and I.

After all we’ve been through, this is what he thinks of me? What he thinks of us?

Ducking to the side, I stumbled as I moved away.

Jake shifted to steady me, but Kase blocked him.

Though I wished I sounded fierce, my voice was small and shaking. “Fuck you, Jake.” Tears blurred my vision as I turned and ran to my car as fast as my wobbly legs and heels would carry me.

My fingers shook as I tried to fit the key into the ignition. Involuntarily, my eyes focused out the window to see Kase toe-to-toe with Jake as he got in his face.

I started the car and put it into reverse. Every instinct I had screamed at me to slam the car back into park, but I ignored them.

We needed a break.