Sound of Silence(73)

"Nothing, really. It's been so long I thought I'd call to check in. Make sure you and Father are well. I said some things when I left. I'm just . . . I'm sorry."

She grunts in her throat, a sound I know as disbelief. "You should be. Our company suffered a great blow because of your selfishness."

"I know, and I've thought a lot about your offer."

"Have you now?" She chuckles. "Low on cash, Piper? It's so like you to call when you're needy."

I fear for my back molars. If I clench my teeth any tighter, they'll shatter. It's a feat unto itself that my tone remains congenial when faced with her constant snark. "No, it's nothing like that. I'm fine. I've just realized how much family means, and I'd like to stay connected. If Father remains intent on the merger with Morgan, I'm not opposed to getting to know him. But that's all I can promise. I can't agree to marry a man I know nothing about."

"This is an interesting turn, to say the least. Are you still holed away in Podunk, Oregon? Really, Piper? That's where you chose to go?"

I roll my eyes and bite my tongue at the same time. They'd never let me disappear, I knew that. My father deals in national security, after all-finding his daughter could simply be done by tracking credit card history. But I'm playing on the fact she hasn't mentioned JT, and therefore doesn't know about him. They'd only dig deeper than my location if they felt compelled to do so. And they've never been compelled to do anything with me other than put clothes on my back and a roof over my head, and move me in whatever direction would benefit them. I'm about to flip the tables.



       
         
       
        

"It's beautiful here, but I miss the constant hustle of a big city." I turn from the window to find Caden standing stock still, glowering at me. Seriously, glowering. My mom, I mouth and point to the phone. Bringing my finger to my lips, I will him to keep his comment to himself. It's hanging from his open mouth, and by the nasty line denting his brow, I'd guess it's not a nice one.

"And you need money to make the move. Is that the reason for your call?"

She's crazy, and so he knows it, I swirl my finger around my ear in circles. He stalks forward a step, his fists clenching by his sides. God, he's sexy and totally distracting.

I force myself to focus on the insane woman who raised me. "No. I don't need cash or a place to live. I've had a year to calm down and think things through. Time has a way of putting pieces into perspective." I wink at Caden as he takes one step closer, glaring bullets into my eyes. But I smile. Broad and beaming, I welcome his rough grip to my neck and allow my free hand to roam up his chest, up the hard, distinct ridges delineating muscle from muscle. "I'm old enough now to know fairytales and happy endings don't happen in real life. Hard work and commitment to the greater good is what matters. Father's business is by far the most important aspect of the Stevens family. And I won't shirk my duty to my family. For my family, I'll do anything."

My palm comes to rest on Caden's scar and his pulse beneath it.

Her chortle is drowned out by the shaking of ice in a glass, as if she's holding it out to signal for a replacement. "You're too later, Piper. We don't need you. Your father is on his way to D.C. A deal will be finalized by the end of the week. Lockman secured funds last year to strengthen his financial statement but in the end, it didn't matter. No one needs you Piper."

D.C.? Financial statement? I stare into Caden's eyes, seeing for the first time that a little touch of brown peppers his right iris. His jaw clenches beneath my seeking fingers, sending shivers of want down my spine. "What funds did Lockman secure, what strategic business moves, Mother? I thought Lockman's bank accounts were strained, and that's why he needed to merge-for his company to remain viable. How'd he turn it around in a year?"

"Details." I can almost hear her shrug. "Winston Churchill dug him out."

"Winston Churchill? He died over fifty years ago."

She barely muffles her call to Barkley for a rush on her cocktail "What do you want, Piper? Winston, William, what does it matter? Some British financer facilitated a big deal, and it stabilized Lockman Schultz, but we don't need him. Or you. We're done." 

William Churchill. "Yes, we are. Enjoy your afternoon with gin. Goodbye, Mother. I'll be sure to call soon."

Caden's fingers tighten on my neck as soon as my final word escapes, and I get lost in his power, leaning my weight into his strong hold. He feels so good pressing into me. A low growl rumbling in his chest pulls me from my musings and the wish for our friendly audience to disappear.