Damaged Perfection (The Perfection Series Book 1) (12 page)

              “Yes, Shane, you need to go to the hospital.”

              “I can’t go; they will take me to jail.”

              He tries to stand but he is moving too fast. All he accomplishes is falling over the arm of the couch and almost flipping over the side. It breaks my heart to watch this train wreck. I feel guilty for not being around very much since I have started working.

              “Shane stop this, you need help.”

              “How would you know, you are never around anymore. And when you are, your boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of you. And its right in front of me, Piper. Do you think I like watching that shit?” When he is finally able to get up from the couch, he looks at me with eyes that are full of fire. He moves toward me faster than I thought him capable at this moment and puts his hand around my neck, pushing me up against the wall. My robe falls apart and his eyes travel the length of my body, hungrily.

              “SHANE! Leave her alone!” My sister yells just as the paramedics and police come through the door.

              The police pull him off of me and struggle to get him under control before they can cuff him. I take a few deep breathes before I am able to speak or pull my robe back together. My hands instinctively move to my neck and I wonder what just happened.

              “Piper, are you ok?” Phoebe is at my side as soon as they pull Shane away.

              “Yes, I will be ok,” I croak. My throat is a tad scratchy but nothing I can’t handle. I walk over and sit in the recliner as I am beginning to shake.

              “I am so sorry, Pipe! It was the drugs, you know it was,” Shane cries, as they take him out of my house.

              “Do you know what he is taking?”

              “He told me he just had a little bump but I have never seen him like that before.” I make a mental note to ask Shane what he has been taking. I need to know what I am dealing with when it is time for his rehab.

              The medic scans my necks and asks, “Miss, do you need to go to the hospital? Your throat looks a little swollen; you are going to have a nasty bruise.”

              “No, I think I will be fine.” I cannot bear to be at the hospital. After our mother died, it is very difficult for Phoebe and me to be in them.

              “Ok, if you start having issues, please get your throat checked out.”

              “I will thank you.”

              Phoebe and I are both silent until everyone is out of the apartment. I am in complete shock at what just happened. I never thought he would do something like that, drugs or not. If I thought he didn’t need help before, I absolutely do now. Maybe I would have caught it sooner had I been around him.

              “Piper, this is not your fault. You know that, right?”

              “I know that it was the drugs that made him come at me but there was definitely truth in his words. I need to make more time with him, keep him out of trouble.”

              “You are allowed to have your own life, Piper. It isn’t like you two are dating.”

              “I know but he is my best friend. I should be there for him.”

              “So, be there for him but don’t let him rule your life.”

              “I know, I know. I want to go see him.”

              She glares at me. I already know what she is going to say but he is my best friend, I have to go make sure he is ok before they haul his ass to jail.

              “Are you sure that is a good idea? I mean he just strangled you, Piper.”

              “Yes, I need to go.”

              I run to my bedroom to throw some cloths on and pull a brush through my hair. I check my neck in the mirror and it just looks very red. I can’t see a bruise yet but I know that is going to be very evident in the morning.

              I make it back to the living room and we lock up the apartment and head to the car. As we are traveling to the hospital, I am silently praying that we make it before they take him to jail. Fifteen minutes later, we make it to the hospital. After talking to the receptionist, we find that they have already released Shane to the police. Somberly, we walk back outside. I find a bench to sit on as tears begin running down my face.

“What kind of friend am I?” I whisper to myself. Phoebe scoots closer to me on the bench and puts her arm around my shoulder in comfort.

“You are going to get him the help that he needs. That is what kind of friend you are,” she reassures me.

“Piper, why are you crying?” Both Phoebe and I look up to see Fenton walking toward us. .

“I-it has just been a rough evening. Thank you for your concern.”

Fenton kneels down in front of me and pulls my chin up so we are eye to eye. His eyes are quickly diverted to my neck. He closes his eyes and takes a moment to calm himself.

“Who did this to you?” His voice is calm.

“It’s nothing…an accident really.”

“Piper, don’t fucking lie to me. Was it Shane?” I need to feel his arms around me. I kneel with him, wrap my hands around his back and bury my head in the crook of his neck.

“We didn’t even make it out of the apartment; he showed up high.”

“I will fucking kill him!”

“It was the drugs, Fent. I have it under control, I promise. Why are you here? I thought you had a meeting?”

“Gibson needed me to work tonight. The meeting is after my shift. I will cancel now so I can take care of you.”

“No, you don’t have to do that. Phoebe will be home to help me if need be.” He doesn’t look too pleased with this idea.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, Fenton.”

“Go home, take some aspirin and relax. And for God’s sake, Piper, do not let another man put his hands on you! If I have to keep you locked in my room for the rest of your life, I will. You deserve better than some coward who puts his hands on women.”

“Thank you again for your concern, but I can handle this.” I pull myself out of his grasp and walk to my car, Phoebe right on my heels. I really hope she doesn’t start questioning me until we get back to the apartment because I really don’t know what to tell her.

“I told you, you need to keep him around!” she says, with excitement in her voice. “Holy shit, girl! Not only is he gorgeous, he really wants you!”

“I’m sure that want will go away soon. I am a shiny new toy that will lose its luster. You said it yourself; men like him don’t stay around forever.” It breaks my heart talking about him this way but I need to come to reality sooner rather than later. I will be out of sight out of mind tomorrow and I am sure that will be the end of our love affair.

“I would be his shiny new toy…”

“Phoebe!”

“What? I am just saying if he wanted to use me as a toy for a while, I would absolutely let him.”

I roll my eyes at her as I am answering my phone. The unknown number tells me that it is Shane.

“Shane, are you ok?”

“Piper.” The voice on the other end is definitely not Shane.

“Why are you calling me? Aren’t you at work?”

“Please,” he says, as if that is the most foolish question he has ever heard.

“Listen, I want to see you when I am finished up here at the hospital. Do you want to meet me somewhere? Or I can come to you?”

Is this guy serious right now? I look over to my sister who is listening intently. I mouth
he wants to meet me
to her, hoping she can read my lips. She must have because her eyes get as round as saucers. She mouths back
YES
and I can see the excitement in her eyes

“Piper?” he questions

“Fine, damn it! I will meet you at the sidewalk café in the district. When is a good time for you?”

“I can be there in an hour, don’t be late.” I hear his phone click.

“Well?” Phoebe almost sings she has so excited.

“I don’t think this is such a good idea.”

“Why? The two of you have practically been inseparable for the last week. He isn’t asking you to marry him; he simply wants to look out for you. Take comfort where you can get it, Piper.”

“I can’t let myself become attached to him. I have to protect my heart.”

I know he isn’t going to be happy but I just need to be myself this evening to sort out all of my feelings. On one hand, I love that Fent is so fast to come to my rescue but on the other what happens when he has decided to move on? I will be left picking up the pieces all by myself. I think I need to call him.

“Piper? Is everything ok?” Fenton asks when he picks up the phone.

“No…Yes. I just don’t think I can handle being out tonight, I’m sorry Fent. I am going to have to reschedule.”

“Not an option. I will come to you so you don’t have to get out. I will be there in twenty.” His phone clicks again. Why can’t he just let me be tonight?

Chapter Eleven

Piper

It is only eight o’clock when we get back to the apartment but it feels as though it should be midnight. I walk down the hallway to my room and drop everything on the floor and lie on the bed. I lay back on my pillow and flip open my book to try and calm down. Of course my mind instantly starts racing, wondering how Shane is holding up in jail.

There is only one person that I can talk to that always makes me feel better. I know he is going to hear the depression in my voice but I don’t care, I need to hear his voice.

“Hello?” As soon as I hear his voice, tears begin welling in my eyes.

“Hi Daddy, how is business?” I try to sound as chipper as I possible.

“Oh business is going great, baby girl. I was able to land that big Moore account from Indiana. I hope you don’t mind that I stole it from under your nose.” He laughs and I begin to feel better already. I knew he would be able to make me feel better.

“May the best man win. Isn’t that our motto, Daddy?”

“Yes it is, baby girl. Now are you going to tell me why you are really calling?”

Deep breath, Piper. Do not cry.

“Can’t I just call to check on you?”

“Yes you can. But if there is something that you need to talk about, spit it out.” I contemplate telling him. But how do you tell your father that you are semi involved with a womanizer, your best friend is a drug addict and you work with some shady characters?

“The new job is just a lot to deal with. Nothing wrong, I just needed to hear your voice.” That wasn’t totally a lie.

“I would be concerned if you the new position weren’t causing you a little stress. That just means you care about your job.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I knew you would understand.”

“Sounds like you need to get some rest.”

“Yes, it has been a very long day.”

“Ok, well, I will talk to you later, baby girl. Sweet dreams.”

“Bye, Daddy.” I lie back on my pillow and am glad to feel the stress in my shoulders has dulled. My throat is starting to get a little scratchy so I decide to get some wine. Hopefully that will diminish the rest of the stress.

Phoebe went out a little while ago with some friends, so the house is quiet. After stepping in the hallway and seeing her dark and empty room staring back at me, I decide to close her door. I don’t mind being home by myself but that gives me goose bumps.

I continue down the hallway that leads to the small dining area then adjoins with my kitchen. While pouring my wine I hear a light knock on the door. I sigh, heavily. I was hoping he would change his mind. I’m lying, I am actually glad he is here.

I open the door to find a very anxious Fenton staring back at me. Although I really love his dirty on the job look, his freshly showered and shaved look is just as good. He has on his dark blue security outfit, equipped with his belt that houses his gun. The scent of his aftershave and light breezy cologne is making my mouth water.

“Piper, you are looking lovely this evening,” he says with a smug smile. I look down to my fleece pajama pants and remember that I threw my wet hair up, so I am sure that I look marvelous.

“I wasn’t planning on company, so this is what you get with an unexpected visit,” I counter, equally as smug.

“Well are you going to invite me in?”

“I don’t know, what are your plans?”

I stand with my arms crossed, making him think he isn’t welcome.

He pulls my arms apart, taking care to set my wine on the ground outside the door. He links our hands and honestly, I don’t think I could be any happier that he is here.

“Did you actually think I was just going to leave you alone? That isn’t how I work, babe.”

My heart is racing at the smoothness of his voice.

Deep breaths, Piper. Feed him a line so he thinks you’re ok and send him on his merry way because if he keeps this up, I won’t be able to say no.

“You clearly just got off work and need to change before your meeting, so I won’t keep you. Thank you for stopping by.” Please make this easy on me and just say goodnight…Please.

He inches his body closer to me so now I have to tilt my head to look at him. One of his hands move to my neck and right on cue, my body ignites. My eyes close and I smell him getting closer to me. Easily, he moves us in the apartment and closes the door behind him.

“Do you want me to leave, Piper?” he whispers.

“Yes,” I say breathlessly.

“Your heart rate says otherwise, love.”

He scoops me up so my head is lying against his chest. His heart is beating out of control, too. So at least I know it isn’t just me. My legs are dangling over his arm as he carries me back to my room. After kicking open the door, he gently places me on my bed. He stands tall above me, his eyes ravishing my body, before he sits on the edge of my bed. He picks up one of my legs and gently begins massaging my feet. Oh dear lord is he good at this. He almost brings tears to my eyes, it feels so amazing. He kisses each toe and works his way up my leg to my thigh.

“It is only fair that I make your feet and legs feel a little more comfortable since I put them to so much use this week,” he mutters as he lays my leg back in place. He kneels beside my bed, moves my hair and examines my neck.

“This makes me crazy you know? I want to know what happened.”

“It is nothing I can’t handle, Fent. I promise.”

“It sure looks like you handled it.”

“It could have been a lot worse. So yes, I did handle it.”

“I don’t want to see this anymore, Piper. I can’t promise you that next time I won’t go apeshit.”

“You won’t see it again, Fent.” I know this is the most random time to have this conversation but I need to know before we go any further. “What are we doing?”

“What do you mean?” I see the confusion on his face.

“Are we friends? Are we together? I know it is a little early for all that but I need to know your feelings.” This man has brought me so much pleasure, in more ways than one, that I don’t think we can be just friends. If I am going to be around him, I need to be able to kiss him when I want and I need to be able to touch him when I want.

I begin to get nervous when he doesn’t respond. Shit! What the hell, Piper? I knew I should have waited.

“Listen, I have a meeting I have to get to. If you need me, you have my number. I mean it, if anyone gives you any shit, you call me! We will talk about the rest tomorrow. I don’t want to stress either of us out anymore than we have to tonight. Get some rest.”

I nod, feeling a little relieved that he is considering the conversation but also disappointed that we can’t have it tonight. Liam’s words from earlier come to mind about being patient with him; I guess this is one of those times. I will give that to him, although I am not sure how he expects me to sleep tonight.

“Ok, Fenton.”

He stands and takes in my pajama clad body a moment more and walks out of my door. A few seconds later he pops his head back in. My brow shoots up.

“Forget something?” I smile.

“Lock the door behind me, please.” I shake my head at him as I get up to lock the door behind him. “Yes, Fenton,” I add.

A smile spreads on his face. “I like the sound of that.”

Fenton

            
 
Never again will I leave her lying in bed by herself. Damn, she is beautiful. I almost wish I would have made her come with me. It would have been a struggle as she is so damn hard headed but I am pretty confident I could have gotten my way. But given the type of meeting I am going to, it probably is for the best. I pull my truck outside of the club and wait for Gibson to show. It is hard to refrain from sending her a text while I am sitting here but I want her to squirm, just as I am.

              I knew the time would be coming for us to have the conversation, I was just hoping it wouldn’t have been this soon. She isn’t the type to sleep with someone without wanting to know where it is leading. I know I am no good for her. But I also know that now that I have a taste for her, I will not be able to let her go. So I am going to have to make the choice to tell her or I will have to let her go. It pains me to have to do either. I pull the bottle from under my seat and take a quick shot as I know this is going to be one long night.

              Gibson pulls his Beamer beside me as I am hiding my bottle back under my seat.

              “How are you, brother?” We shake and I can smell the alcohol on his breath. Apparently, he is having the same kind of night that I am.

              “Same ole. Ready to get this shit out of the way. You been drinking already?”

              “Just a shot, it has been one hell of a day.”

              “I hear ya there.”

              We find a table and sit. Our asses are barely in the chairs before the waitress is at our side.

              “What can I get for you?”

              “Two shots of tequila for both of us,” Gibson answers. I laugh at him, he means business tonight.

              “That bad, huh?”

              “James called me today.”

              “And?” This should be interesting. Frank always likes to stick his nose in everyone’s business. He is like a fucking mob boss. He tells everyone that he wants them to keep their nose clean but the extent to which that happens is always negotiable and always on his terms.

              When Gibson quit James, I thought Frank was going to lose his mind. A normal boss would be proud to hear that you are bettering yourself. Not Frank. No one can be better than him. That is why he doesn’t know that I own this bar. Gibson had all the paperwork put in someone else’s name and added us as silent partner investors. I knew once he found out I was working here he would have it checked out. If he finds out, he will try everything in his power to make me lose this place. For that reason, I am making sure I have everything in order before I leave James and tell Frank to go fuck himself.

              “What are you doing with the brunette?” he asks, catching me off guard.

              “I don’t think that is really anyone’s business. Is that why he called you?” This guy is ruthless.

              “Partly. He also wanted to know if you had something going on he didn’t know about.”

              “I will take care of Frank. I am sorry I had to put you in the middle. Why don’t we get to the real business we need to talk about. I have had my fill of him this week.”

              He nods his head. The waitress drops our shots off and I order a beer before she leaves. We take our shots in succession and I continue.

              “I probably have about two months left. I don’t fucking know if I can handle him for that long but I am going to have to give it one hell of a shot.” It may not be as difficult now that Piper is there. Even though she will be primarily working in the office, just knowing that I could see her any given day really gives the incentive to get up and go to work.

              “It is going to have to be sooner than that. I can no longer be your silent partner,” he says, as the bottom drops out of my stomach. I can’t believe what I am hearing. I knew Gibson was having some issues but I never thought this was coming.

              “Why the fuck not?” I try not to sound pissed but that is pretty difficult at this point.

              “I am in some trouble and I don’t want to bring you down with me.” I stare at him a minute, waiting for him to tell me he is bullshitting. He doesn’t and it has forced me to the one thing I hate doing: pry.

              “What’s going on, Gibson?” He puts his head in his hands and when the waitress is back at our table dropping off my beer, he puts up two more fingers.

              “My business isn’t doing as well as it used to, and I took some help from a guy I shouldn’t have.”

              “Who?” I have been on the right side of the law for a long time now but I will never forget what I went through, and who I went through it with. He pulls his head from his hands and I know who it is as soon as his eyes meet mine. My blood begins to boil.

              “How much, Gibson?” No need to ask why he went with him. Men like him only go after people who are already down and out. So, if Gibson went to him, I know it must be bad.

              “Fifty thousand.”

              “Fuck Gibson! Why didn’t you talk to me?”

              “You don’t need any more trouble. Things are going good for you and they need to stay that way.” He takes a quick breather before adding, “Marla is leaving me, Fent.”

              “No, no! This is not the way it works. You have been there for me more times than I care to admit. You can always talk to me. Is Marla really leaving? Or is she just threatening?” Gibson and Marla are that couple that break up every other day but always get back together. But I have never seen him like this.

              “She was moving her stuff out this afternoon,” he says, looking right through me.

              “Look man, I will do anything to help. Do you want me to talk to her?”