Chapter 18
Piper
It had been another busy day with no word from Chance.
Sagging back in my chair, I tried to ignore my nagging headache. I’d skipped lunch and had too much coffee. I really needed to eat something.
Everett “Overprotective” Murray had spent yet another day wandering past my office or wherever the hell I was in the hotel. Like I needed a damn babysitter.
In better news, the construction tenting was well underway. The structure was huge and after another day, they’d have it finished, complete with heaters and lighting. Then the workers could get started on the roof and the new spa addition. At least something was going well.
I glared at my phone on the table, but didn’t even bother to check it. Chance was still not answering.
Sierra had popped in earlier and said she was putting out feelers to everyone she knew in town. Windward was small, so there was a chance someone might spot Chance. But it was winter, and the town swelled with visitors and tourists, making it hard to spot one young man.
Pushing out of my chair, I headed out to the small kitchenette in the office area.
Normally, I ordered coffee or food from the restaurant, but I didn’t want to talk to anyone.
I really didn’t need another coffee, so instead, I made myself a green tea.
I sipped it, winced at the bitter taste, but reminded myself it was good for me. It was full of…something good.
Ro and Tessa’s offices were empty. No doubt the pair were having dinner somewhere.
I’d had a great meal with Everett last night. I’d enjoyed meeting his dad and Bear. A part of me had been hoping he’d turn up again this evening to suggest dinner again, but I hadn’t seen him.
Back in the conference room, I’d just set my mug down and sat, when I noticed something propped on my keyboard.
Frowning, I snatched up the small carving. I glanced around, but there was no sign of anyone. I turned it over in my hand and my chest caught. It was a dog, carved from a glossy, caramel-colored wood. Oh. I stroked a finger down the curve of the dog’s back. It was a golden retriever.
My throat tightened. I really couldn’t handle Murray being so damn nice. He’d made me a Maple. The man was truly talented with his hands.
I bet he knew exactly what to do with those hands when he got them on a woman.
I closed my eyes. Not going there. This was Murray. A man who was so far my opposite it wasn’t funny. Half the time, I wanted to hit him.
Suddenly, my cellphone came to life, ringing and vibrating against the conference table. Probably a call from the Windward LA. We’d had to reschedule an earlier call.
When I grabbed it and saw my brother’s name on the screen, my heart did a giant flip. I swiped the screen. “Chance?”
“Piper, hey…” His voice was shaky.
“Where are you?” I demanded. “Are you okay? Are you safe?”
“I’m all right.”
“I’ve been so worried.” I leaned forward, my pulse thudding hard.
“I need money.”
I closed my eyes, my fingers clenching on the phone. “A hundred thousand dollars?”
I heard his quick intake of breath. “How do you—?”
“I was attacked, Chance. Then, they tried to abduct me and shove me in a car. The guy grabbing me told me what you owed them.”
“God, fuck!” His voice was even shakier. “I’m sorry, Pipe. I’m so sorry.”
“And you owe the lady at the Red Moose five thousand dollars as well.”
He made a pained sound.
I felt such a conflicting ball of emotion. “Let me help you.”
“You…they didn’t hurt you?”
“A few cuts and grazes. I’m fine.”
“Thank God. I’ll fix this, Piper. I promise.”
“Come to the hotel and we can—”
“I promise. You’ll be safe. I’ll fix it.”
“Chance, no—”
The line went dead.
I swallowed a scream. My headache gave a fierce pound, and I dragged in a deep breath. I had no idea what the hell Chance was going to do. How the hell did he think he was going to fix this?
As I stared at my laptop, it blurred.
I shot to my feet.
I needed a drink.
After shutting down my laptop, I headed straight for the hotel bar.
The Bluff Bar was one part of the hotel that I’d decided needed no upgrades, except for some new glassware.
The bar oozed class and had an Art Deco vibe.
The walls were a dark, smoky blue-gray, and trendy, gold lighting ran along the ceiling.
I loved the elegant, leather armchairs and stools, and the long, backlit bar was the perfect centerpiece for the space.
Tonight, I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to admire the décor. Snagging a stool at the bar, I swung up and crossed my legs.
“Ms. Ellis, what can I get you?” the bartender asked.
“A martini, please, Ross.”
“Coming right up. You want any food?”
“No, thank you.”
Once he’d brought me the cocktail, I sucked it back, ignoring his raised eyebrows.
“I’ll have another, please.”
“Sure thing.” He eyed me. “Rough day?”
“Something like that.”
By the time I’d finished the second martini, I finally felt the pleasant warmth seeping through my worry and rage. My headache was still there, but the good thing was, I didn’t care about it anymore.
Ross had just handed me my third glass when someone slid onto the stool beside me.
I saw flannel out of the corner of my eye, but I’d smelled him first.
“You want to talk about it, big city?”
I swiveled. “Ugh, that shirt, Murray. I swear, I will get you to wear your proper uniform shirt if it’s the last thing I do.”
He leaned closer and more of his scent hit me in way too many places.
“You know the deal. I told you what it would take to get me to wear it.”
Heat filled my already warm cheeks. I remembered. In great detail. With a sniff, I sipped my martini.
He grabbed the glass and whisked it out of my reach.
“Hey!”
“You’re already on your way to tipsy.”
“So?”
He cocked his head, a lock of brown-gold hair falling over his forehead. “What happened?”
“I’m a grown woman. I can drink whenever I want to.”
“You eat dinner already?”
“No.” I didn’t mention I hadn’t eaten lunch either.
He pressed a hand to my thigh. “Piper, talk to me.”
I stared at the shelves behind the bar for a full minute. “Chance called me.”
Everett muttered a low curse.
“I told him to come here. I told him someone tried to grab me.” I blew out a breath. “He said he was sorry, and he promised to fix it. Then he hung up.”
Everett cursed again.
“I know.” I threw a hand up. “Him trying to fix it is only going to make things worse. God.”
Grabbing my hand, Everett tugged me to face him. “Listen, he’s a grown man. He makes his own decisions, and his own mistakes. You can offer to help, but your focus needs to be on keeping yourself safe.”
“He’s my brother,” I whispered. “And I need to keep my mom and Gram safe from this too.” I bit my lip. “I don’t know how to fix this, Everett.”
“You can’t, babe. But right now, you can lean on me.”
“I take care of things. It’s what I do. I can’t lean on you.”
“Yeah, you can.” His fingers tangled with mine. “You did the other night.”
I met his gaze, my heart thumping. “I can’t make a habit of it.”
“Lean,” he said.
“I…don’t think I’m very good at that.”
“Try.” He slid off the stool and pulled me to stand beside him.
Crap, my legs felt a little wobbly.
“We’re heading back to your suite and we’re going to order room service.”
“I’m not very hun—”
“You’re eating.” His tone warned he wasn’t going to argue about it.
I blew out a breath. “I’m not sure I like the bossiness.”
He shot me a sexy grin. “You like it just fine when you’re dishing it out.”
“Fine, I’ll eat. But I’m getting wine.” I leaned across the bar. “Ross, can I get a bottle of the Californian Syrah. I’m taking it with me.”
“You got it, Piper.”
Everett and I walked up to my suite. Inside, he snatched up the phone and ordered dinner. I wanted to be angry that he’d ordered for me, but since he ordered my favorite clam linguine and a slice of chocolate cake, I didn’t. I wondered how he knew they were my favorites.
I dropped onto the couch and watched as he turned on the gas fireplace. Snow was falling outside and there were enough lights to give a pretty night view of the mountain. I realized I’d sat here, relaxing, enjoying the view.
Everett dropped down beside me. “Give me the wine, I’ll open it.”
I handed it over.
“But no drinking it until you get some food into your stomach.”
“I thought you were a laid-back mountain man. All this bossy is not laid back.”
“We’re laid back until we see a woman worrying herself ragged and not taking care of herself.” He grabbed the bottle opener and popped the cork. “Whether you like it or not, big city, I’m taking care of you.”
I felt very unfamiliar flutters in my belly, chest, and lower. I swallowed. I wasn’t surprised about him taking care of me, I just had to remind myself not to get too used to it.