Their Virgin Concubine(92)

Piper shook her head. Maybe Tal needed time, but Rafe and Kade’s silence truly told the tale. “No. They’re done. They don’t need a wife anymore. They can keep their throne without me. I think now they realize I wasn’t even close to their league.”

“Or they had just witnessed their brother being shot and their bride almost dying, so they reacted poorly,” Hannah replied. “Sometimes men do the dumbest things for the right reasons. You know I had a little trouble with Ashley’s birth, right?”

Piper turned to her friend. She knew the story. Something had gone wrong in the delivery room, and Hannah had nearly bled out. “I know. You hemorrhaged.”

Hannah took a long breath. “I almost died and so did Ashley. And my husbands were right there. They had three completely different reactions. I would have thought Gavin would be the one to really freak out, but he got closer. Slade became an expert on childbirth. I swear he read everything he could get his hands on trying to figure out what had gone wrong. And Dex.” She sniffled a little, tears in her eyes. “Dex pulled away. He was so remote, so far from me. I thought I might lose him, but little by little he came out of it until one day I found him holding Ashley and crying his eyes out. He needed to process it. It was traumatic for all of us, but Dex especially. He grew up without a family. The thought of losing me devastated him. I think he’s terrified about this baby, but he’s here with me again.”

Piper sighed, a deep, heartfelt breath because her story wouldn’t end that way. “Weren’t you mad at him for being distant?”

Hannah reached up, smoothing back Piper’s hair. “Of course, but I wasn’t willing to give up. He needed time. When he was ready to be brave again, I forgave him. Honey, I know they hurt you, but if you get a chance, think about forgiving them. Forgiveness heals and makes love possible. Even if they don’t ever come back, think about forgiving them. Don’t carry this hurt around. I couldn’t stand the thought of this ruining your life. Fight for them if you still love them. And if that doesn’t work, let it all go then move on, knowing you tried. Move on knowing you deserve a good life and as much love as you can handle.”

A sob formed, but Piper held it in. “What if I can’t love anyone else?”

“You will. There’s too much love inside you. It’s going to hurt for a long time, but you will live again and you will love again. I promise.” She hugged Piper, pulling her close. “You need to get back to work. It’s killing you, just sitting in your room day after day.”

Hannah was right, and Piper had been thinking much the same. She needed to start moving forward. She needed to sink into a new project. “I have to find a new job.”

“No.” Hannah pulled back, her head shaking. “We want you with Black Oak, and that has nothing to do with how I feel about you. Gavin wants your brain. Look, hon, at some point in time we have to adapt, and you’re the key to that. Please, listen to Gavin. He wants you to head a new green division for the company. We need you. It’s a challenge and a huge promotion. It’s also a big change. Don’t make any decisions until you talk to him.”

“All right.” Piper wasn’t sure what she wanted, but she would listen so she could think logically about her options. She couldn’t just make a blanket decision. Leading a green division for a huge corporation would be a massive challenge. Of course, leading a green division at Black Oak would mean being forced to deal with representatives from Bezakistan, including members of the royal family like the sheikh and his brothers.

And this time, they would be forced to deal with her—on her terms.

It was a daunting prospect, but maybe she could still change the world.

She could have a full life, and she hoped someday to love again. She was stronger than she’d thought. Her heart would ache for the men she’d loved, but she would live on and find a way to give her love to someone who wanted it.

She stood a little taller and tried to smile at Hannah. “I’ll think about it.”

Black Oak Oil had offices all over the world. Her journey didn’t have to be over because three men from Bezakistan couldn’t love her.

Hannah took a step back. “You think hard because I don’t think Gavin is going to let you go. He kind of cheered when you walked in the door again. He’s missed you around the office. The new researcher is making him crazy. The kid struggles to work a calculator. So take a minute, then come in and join us for dinner. It’s been fun to have everyone around again.”

Piper frowned. “You know Burke and Cole are like my bodyguards, right?”