Chapter 13
Everett
Irammed another punch into the asshole’s face.
An asshole who’d just tried to abduct Piper.
Not fucking happening.
My next punch hit him in the gut. He grunted.
Next to me, I noted Caden slamming unforgiving blows into the man who’d tried to grab Allie.
There was a shout from the still-idling car. My guy whirled. I grabbed his shirt, but he broke free and dived into the car.
The other guy fighting with Caden fell to the ground, scrambled up, then jumped in the back of the car. The engine gunned and the car accelerated away, the doors still open, fishtailing on the icy road.
Adrenaline-soaked rage pumped through me. I turned and saw Allie and Piper clutching each other a few feet away. Ro was physically keeping Tessa, Jazz, and Sierra on the front porch. Gunner was at the front gate, ready to help.
Fuck. I felt the anger pumping off Caden as he yanked his woman into his arms. Allie clung to him and buried her face in his chest. Piper stood there, face white and eyes wide. She started shaking.
“Hey.” I cupped her cheeks. “You’re okay. It’s over.”
“T-they tried to kidnap us. Oh, God.” Her cheeks went even paler.
“That was never going to happen.” I pulled her against my chest. Her hands gripped my shirt and she burrowed in. Pressing her cheek to my chest. I wrapped my arms around her.
“They could have hurt Allie,” she whispered.
They could have hurt her. Of course she was worried about her friend more.
“It was the people after Chance.”
Her voice was so low I barely heard her. Fucking hell. Ellis hadn’t done what he’d promised and gotten his sister free and clear of his mess. My jaw tightened.
I looked over at Caden and saw the darkness in his gaze.
“Are you both all right?” Tessa reached us and grabbed Allie’s arm, then reached for Piper’s hand.
“They’re fine,” I said.
Ro stood nearby, face set in serious lines. He didn’t look happy. Gunnar was frowning.
Piper’s shaking got worse.
“You need to come in and sit down,” Tessa said.
“No, no.” Piper looked shocked and confused. “I just need to get back to the hotel.”
My gut clenched and I shared a look with the other men. “No.”
Her head jerked up. “What do you mean, no?”
“It isn’t safe. Not until we know for sure whoever tried to snatch you won’t try again.”
“God,” she whispered, swaying a little.
I hauled her back against me. “You’re staying with me tonight.”
“Everett—”
“No arguments for once, big city. You need to get out of the cold, and you need some rest and some quiet.”
“I think it’s a good idea, Piper,” Ro added.
She bit her lip.
I slid my hand up under her hair and gripped the back of her neck. “Piper.”
She sighed. “Okay.”
“We should report this to the police,” Gunnar added.
“No,” Piper cried. “I…my brother…”
She was still protecting her damn brother.
I looked at Gunnar. “We’ll revisit that tomorrow.”
The big man nodded.
After Piper shared hugs with the women, I collected her coat and bag, then hustled her to my truck. I bundled her into the passenger side, then quickly circled it and got in. The first thing I did was get the heat blowing. She was curled in on herself, still shaking.
“Stay with me, Piper. You’re safe.” My hands curled on the steering wheel as I drove. It felt like a repeat of the other night, when I’d assured her she’d be safe.
She’d almost been kidnapped right in front of me.
Whoever her brother owed money to was bad news. Especially if they were willing to snatch an innocent woman off the street.
“Piper?”
“I’m all right. I’ll be all right.”
I drove as fast as I could and finally reached my townhouse. I drove into my garage, cut the engine, then rounded the vehicle. She already had the door open, but before she could climb out, I slid my arms under her and hauled her into my arms.
“Everett, I can walk.”
I ignored her, then juggling her in my arms, I opened the door leading into my house with one hand. I carried her inside.
It was warm inside. I’d lit a fire earlier, and it had burned down to low embers. I’d put some more wood in it and get it going again.
I set her on my couch, grabbed my throw blanket, and wrapped it around her.
“This is nice.” She stroked the soft wool. “Too nice for a guy to have bought.”
“My mom gave it to me on Christmas.”
“Ah, makes sense. Did she help you decorate this place?”
My heart squeezed. “No. She died before I bought it.”
Piper’s head jerked up. “I’m sorry.”
“Stay there. I’m going to make you some tea.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Do I strike you as the tea type?
“No.” I smiled. “But you need something warm and soothing.” While the kettle boiled, I fished out a tea bag. I carried the mug over to her.
She’d kicked off her sexy, little boots and had her long legs curled under her on the couch. She was wearing long, wide-legged, black trousers, topped with a bronze-colored knit top. It looked so soft and clung to her body. She was huddled into the blanket, still looking a little pale and lost.
“Here.”
She took the mug, but her hands were still shaking. She managed a sip. “God, I don’t know why I’m shaking so hard.”
“It’s your body’s reaction to a dangerous situation. A little shock.” I sat beside her. “Remember, you’re safe here.”
I shifted to crouch by the fire and tossed a few more logs in. I stoked it until the flames had roared back to life.
She sipped again. “This isn’t too bad.”
“It’s chamomile. Maybe we’ll turn you into a tea drinker, after all.” I noticed her shirt and side of her pants were damp from where she’d fallen in the snow. “I’m going to get you something dry to wear. Something you can sleep in.”
She looked up. “Everett… Thank you. For fighting that guy, saving me again. For…”
I touched her jaw, rubbing her soft skin. “You don’t have to thank me, but you’re welcome.”
Then I turned and headed for my bedroom. I returned with one of my T-shirts.
“Sorry, pretty sure nothing in my closet is up to your standards.” My lips twitched. “I figured you didn’t want one of my flannel shirts.”
She shot me a look that made me fight a smile. The Piper I knew was peeking through the shock. She’d be okay.
“Powder room is through there.” I pointed.
With a nod, she disappeared into the room. I stared at the fire, and tried not to think about Piper Ellis taking her clothes off in my house.
I blew out a breath. She’s upset and scared, she needs you to help her not imagine her naked, asshole.
The door opened and I turned my head.
My gut locked. Fuck.
Seeing her in my shirt, the way it hit her at mid-thigh and showed off those magnificent legs of hers hit me right in the gut.
And a little farther south.
My obsession with this city girl was not going away.
She’d washed her face and her hair was loose. I realized she rarely wore it down. It spilled in pale waves over her shoulders.
I cleared my throat. “Comfy?”
“Yes.” She grabbed the blanket again and curled up on the couch. She stared at the fire, and I didn’t like the look on her face.
“Everett, the guys who grabbed me…they said my brother owes their boss a hundred thousand dollars.” She squeezed her eyes closed. “I don’t think they’re going to stop until they get their money back.”