Chapter 18 Caleb
CALEB
“He’s been doing what?” I hiss into the phone, finding somewhere private away from the kids. I choose the porch, since the pair of them are inside entertaining themselves with planes and Barbies. “And you didn’t think to tell me this before?”
Piper, just finishing up her shift at the coffee house, replies, “It crossed my mind a few times, but I honestly was hoping that it was nothing.”
“We need to go to the station. Right now. He’s overstepped.”
James Taylor stalking Piper is a good thing. In a backward way. Piper and I now have something to talk about. Between the sex and dirty talk, it’s normally pin-drop silence every time we’re alone.
I’ve been unable to keep my hands to myself this week. Her ass is always there right in front of me, commanding a slap. Same as those lips, still busted from last week when I bent her over the countertop.
I’m relieved that we now have other things to discuss…to an extent.
But James Taylor is a verified creep and I’m not happy about it.
“I need you to come straight home.”
Home was a bad word to say, and is probably the reason for her stuttering.
“Y-yes.”
I’m ending the call when the money-grabber himself takes it upon himself to stride down my lawn.
“I’ll see you soon,” I tell Piper, ending the call promptly.
“Mr. Rourke.” James nods his head in greeting, not bothering to flash me a smile. There’s no time for smiles. Besides, his face probably doesn’t bend that way. “Is Ms. Hart in?”
“No, she’s not. Please say what you would like to say to her in front of me. I’ll make sure to pass on the message.”
“Ms. Hart is not being genuine about the fire.”
“Right. And where are these sources coming from? I already assured you once that there was nothing to your case, and now you’re following her around town, trying to find something to hold against her.
I gave you my word as a firefighter who has seen many fires, intentional and otherwise, that there is nothing to worry about. ”
“Following her around town?” James’s expression turns into something other than a frown. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course,” I add dryly.
“Stalking is strictly against my policy as a loss assessor, and I’d face prosecution as a result. To do that to myself and my company, I’d have to be a fool.”