by Dani René
Lying back, I rest my arm across my eyes, blocking out any light that’s left streaming through the bars of my small cell. I can’t think of Piper coming back to the apartment after going to grab some coffee to find me gone. I can’t imagine what she’s probably feeling right now. I gave her a small promise ring, and then they dragged me off.
I shut my eyes and recall the day I woke up with a missing limb. The day I thought my life had ended. I’d never been more scared, angrier, and more anguished.
“Mr. Kingsley.” The man in the white coat and blue shirt smiles down at me. A doctor. My mind replays the events that led me here. Stupidity and recklessness.
“Yes,” I croak out a response.
The man smiles more. “You were all very lucky,” he tells me, but the needle that’s been stuck in my arm pumps liquid into me and I know it’s some form of painkillers.
“Where is Preston?”
“Mr. Beaufort and the two ladies are fine. They’re being kept for observation but should be released soon. Mr. Kingsley, there’s something I needed to talk to you about.” His expression changes from smiling to serious and my chest aches with fear.
“Something’s happened?” I question, my voice cracking and my throat burning.
“We tried everything we could, but your leg, Mr. Kingsley, unfortunately we had to—”
“What?!” My voice booms around me, making me wince in agony. My eyes snap toward the bed and I see it, where both my legs should be, there’s only one under the sheet. My right leg, or what’s left of it, is hidden by the clinical white covers, but it ends halfway down.
Tears sting my eyes. Even though I’m highly medicated, and I can’t feel the pain, it’s a phantom agony that sets in and the monitors on my chest are beeping wildly.
“I need you to calm down, Mr. K—”
“Calm down? Calm the fuck down?” I roar, attempting to pull the drip from my arm, and the door flies open as two bulky men enter and hold me down. “Let me go. Don’t fucking touch me!”
The doctor pulls out a needle and proceeds pushing it into the connector where the drip is slowly administering my pain meds and as soon as the syringe is empty, I feel tired.
My eyes flit open and closed. And the last thing I see when my eyes shut, is Piper’s pretty blue eyes, long golden hair, and her sweet smile.
Opening my eyes, I push off the bed and head toward the bars. The place is busy, noisy, but my mind is awash with memories of my girl. Images of her keep me sane. I can’t call for anyone. There’s nobody here to help me. I’m about to lie down again when a man in a tailored suit saunters up to my cell.
“Mr. Kingsley,” the well-dressed man says. “Your father posted bail. You’ll be out of here in a few moments. We’re handling the case Mr. Beaufort has created against you.”
“I don’t understand. What case?” My question causes him to sigh, and I wonder if this is some sick joke Piper’s father is playing at.
The man stares at me for a moment before responding. “He’s laid a claim that you kidnapped his daughter. We found her at your apartment about an hour ago, and she’s verified her father’s false accusation. That’s the reason you’ve been let out on bail.”
“I know he’s angry because she chose to live with me and move out of his house, but this is ridiculous,” I tell him angrily. Frustration grips me in its feral claws that this asshole is even attempting to start this shit. When the police officers arrived early this morning, Piper had left to buy coffee down the road. I’d found her note telling me she’d be right back. I can’t imagine the panic she must’ve felt returning to find me gone.
The man nods at my explanation. “We had all that verified when Ms. Beaufort came forward this morning. The problem is, he’s now requesting a restraining order against you.”
“And can he get away with this? I haven’t hurt anyone. His daughter is safe with me, you saw her. She chose to be with me rather than go home with him.”
He nods in agreement. “That’s why your father has contested it. You’ll be home in a few hours and the order will be dropped. Don’t worry. Your father has faith in you.” His words still me for a moment. Even though we had a heart to heart, I feel like my father having an ounce of faith in me is a gift in itself. Something I’d never had before.
“Thank you.”
I’m left alone again, and I have a moment to collect my thoughts on Mr. Beaufort and his fucking anger toward me. It doesn’t make sense. How is it that out of all Preston’s friends, I’m the one he hates so much? I’ve never done anything to him or his family, so it doesn’t make any sense.
“Ryder.” My girl’s voice is like an angel song when she appears outside the cell. “Oh my God, you’re okay,” she whimpers, anguished.
“What are you doing here, Piper?”
“I needed to see if you’re okay. My father has lost his mind,” she tells me. “I don’t know what he’s trying to do, but this isn’t going to make me run home and tell him I love him. I cannot believe he put you in here.”
I can tell she’s livid. Her voice heightens with every word and her body is positively vibrating with anger.
“I’ll be out in a few hours. My father's lawyer said they’ve contested the allegations. I’ll be okay, baby girl. I don’t want you in a place like this.”
“I don’t want you in a place like this.”
I know when Piper is adamant about something, nothing can sway her decision, and this is no different. She’s going to fight me tooth and nail if I ask her to leave, so I don’t. Instead, I enjoy the time she’s with me, even though this place is a shithole.
It only took an hour and I was released. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if my father hadn’t stepped in. I’m far too proud to call him, and I know Piper would’ve had no sway with her dad. The man hates me. It’s no secret.
We came straight to the apartment. The first thing I needed was a shower. There’s nothing that could ever compare to being locked inside a jail cell. The night of the accident, I’d only had two beers, so when they tested my blood alcohol limit I was under the legal allowance, so there wasn’t any question as to who had actually been more intoxicated. The car we hit had two teenagers who’d been drinking so much they were close to alcohol poisoning by the time they’d smacked into us.
Even though it wasn’t wholly their fault, I knew that if they’d been sober, they would’ve seen us, or even been able to swerve out of the way. And this is why I no longer drink. Alcohol, drugs, anything that can change your mindset and inhibitions is not something I need in my life.
Even though Preston and Jeremiah have the odd beer, they’re both done with their younger partying days, which I’m thankful for. I sound so much older than I am. Almost twenty-four and I could pass as a middle-aged man.
“I can’t walk, Preston,” I bite out angrily. I’m angry. I fucking hate the world and having him right beside me after what he did doesn’t help my mood. I can’t forgive him. Not right now. Maybe not ever. Even though we both played a part in what happened, I’m the one who lost everything.
“Look, I know you hate me. I fucking hate me,” he continues. There’s no need for him to tell me this. We both know my life is over. I’ll never be able to dance again. I’ll never be able to go to Piper and tell her all the things I want to give her because I can’t.
Yes, there’s the option of a prosthetic. I will probably be able to walk again, but my love, the one thing that gave me solace—besides the girl I love—is gone. The dream I came out here for is no longer within my grasp.
I glance down at the missing part of me. Where my foot should’ve been, is nothing. Half a fucking man. Anger surges through me along with pain. Agonizing fucking pain.
“Preston, get out of my face.”
“Maybe if Piper—”
“I said get the fuck away from me. Don’t you think you’ve done enough?” Our eyes meet in a standoff, rage from me, guilt from him. Good, he should feel guilty. He should hate himself a
s much I hate me. Shaking my head, I wheel the chair away from him and into the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me.
Done.
All fucking done.
“Ryder.” Piper’s voice drags me from the errant thoughts. She steps into my bedroom wearing a T-shirt that just about hangs below her ass. “I made you some coffee,” she says innocently, then sets it down, and I notice she’s wearing a tiny pair of panties with a pink lace trim that makes me harder than a steel pole.
“What the fuck are you wearing?”
She spins on her bare foot, her big blue eyes meeting mine. “Your T-shirt.” She shrugs nonchalantly. “Why?”
“Did you just go out there, where Logan is, dressed like that?” Rage and jealousy rear their ugly heads as I watch her watch me.
She smiles. “I like when you’re all jealous and growly.” Her delicate hand waves my way as if it’s a fucking joke.
“Piper—”
“Calm yourself. Logan left about an hour ago. He said he had work to do. He’s weird, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. But I don’t want you walking out there like this.” I stalk closer to her, taking her hands and tugging her closer to me. “And I growl because you’re mine.”
“I think it’s hot.” She smiles, trailing her fingers over my bare chest. “Oh, your lawyer called and said everything’s been sorted out. My dad, however, has been calling me nonstop. He’s left a voice message to tell me he wants to talk to me tomorrow night.”
“You should go,” I tell her. “He is your father after all, and since my dad has given me an olive branch, perhaps yours will realize I’m not going anywhere. I’ve learned forgiveness is easier to live with than anger.”
“When did you get so philosophical?”
“When I almost died and lost you forever.” My honesty makes her brows crease and her nose wrinkle.
“I don’t like you talking like that. Tell me something nice.”
“I love you, Piper Beaufort. I’ll always love you.”
“I guess that will do.” She laughs. “And I love you, Ryder Kingsley, and I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“And have the twelve kids I want?” I chuckle, pulling her even closer.
“Twelve?” Her mouth falls open in shock. “No way, mister. Two, max.”
Leaning in, I place a kiss on her pouty lips. “One day, I’ll revel in seeing your body change, and I can’t wait to see you pregnant with my baby. But we’ll be responsible and wait. I want to give you everything, Piper. A career, a family, and I want to make every dream you have come true.”
“You’ve already given me the one I’ve wanted since the moment you smiled at me,” she informs me with another kiss on the lips. “You.”
“Good, there’s nothing else I’ll ever want.”
“Ryder,” she says, as if she’s about to ask something I’d rather not tell her. But she’s with me for life, so anything Piper wants to know, I’ll confess. “Did you ever really hate my brother for the accident?”
“There was a time, a very long while where I didn’t talk to Preston. I pushed everyone away. I guess, deep down, I never wanted to admit I needed people in my life.” Sighing, I reach for her face, cupping the smooth skin beneath my hand. I allow the pad of my thumb to gently stroke a circle on her cheek.
“You do need people in your life. Me, Preston, even though he can be an asshole, and Jeremiah, we all love you. And your dad. He was there when you needed him.”
“I know. At the time I didn’t see it that way. I’d lost a part of myself, physically, but I also lost my dream. We were young men doing stupid things. I’m not sure if the accident would’ve happened if Pres didn’t do what he did, but I look at it this way—I spent three years angry. Fuck, if I’m truly honest, I spent my life angry at someone, whether it was my dad, my mom, and myself.”
“How did you forgive him?”
“About six months before we came home, he did something stupid. There was a girl he’d been seeing. She was bad news, but your brother wanted her. Jer and I tried to warn him off, but Preston is a stubborn asshole.”
“That he is,” she agrees with a smile.
“This girl got herself into trouble with some drug dealer in LA. She was off her head one night and Preston went to confront the fucker. Needless to say, your brother was in the hospital for a few weeks. But…” I recall the moment I knew that forgiving him would be easier on myself than holding onto anger. “When I saw him lying there in that hospital bed, I knew that if something had happened to him, I’d be lost. He was there for me when I almost died, twice in my life. And I needed him.”
“I’m glad you’re still friends.” She plants a kiss on my cheek and holds on to me. Her slender arms wrap around my neck as she nuzzles into my neck. Closing my eyes, I let myself enjoy her warmth, her sunshine.
27
Piper
This morning when I woke up, I’d had five missed calls from my mother. My father insisted in a voicemail, that I come talk to them. To sort things out, he said. Something in his tone told me there was more drama coming my way. I know he doesn’t approve of Ryder, and that’s not my problem anymore, that’s my father’s own judgment. He doesn’t have to like Ryder. He doesn’t even have to tolerate him, because I’ve made my choice, and I won’t waver.
The house is formidable from the outside. The open brick allows you to see the beauty, the outer appearance that my family has always been about. Nothing on the inside matches how beautiful it is on the outside. Just like my family, I think.
Pushing open the heavy front door, I make my way inside, the click resounding loudly in my ears as a warning. I’m inside the Beaufort mansion and I feel less at home than I am when I’m in Ryder’s small apartment. When I step into the living room, I find my parents sitting side by side. My mother’s hands are twisted around each other and I know she’s nervous. Her face tells me everything.
“You wanted to see me,” I say before seating myself opposite them. This was my father’s idea, but it will be the last time he ever sees me. After what happened with Ryder, I no longer want anything to do with him or his rules.
“Piper, what I did—”
“Was wrong, unforgivable,” I tell him. “Father, you cannot use your influence to rule everyone else’s life. You’ve lost me, and you’ve lost Preston. Don’t you see what you’re doing?” Tears sting my eyes when I look at him, seeing how he’s hardened over the years. I know that parents are meant to keep their children safe, but he’s become a tyrant and I’m no longer allowing him to control me like a robot.
“I’m your father and that poor excuse of a boy is not good for you.” His insistence about Ryder is frustrating. He just doesn’t see what’s right in front of him. “You and your brother will soon see that he’ll bring you down.”
“Why? What has he ever done to you to make you hate him so much?” I question, my voice rising with every word.
“It isn’t your business to know what your parents choose for you,” he spits out, his face turning bright red, and I wonder if the vein in his forehead will pop.
“What you choose for me?” I let out a humorless laugh and rise. “This meeting is over. It will be the last one you ever get.”
“Piper, please,” my mother finally opens her mouth. After years of letting daddy dearest run the house, run our lives, I turn to her, waiting for her to finally say something I want to hear. “I made a mistake a long time ago.”
My heart kicks in my chest at her words. I inhale a sharp breath, waiting, my fingers tingling with anxiety at what she’s about to tell me. Please don’t say what I think you’re going to say, Mother. Don’t you dare. Don’t. Please. No. No. No.
“I had... I had... an affair,” she finally stumbles over her confession.
“What? Are you trying to tell me...?” My words fall into nothing, silence, heavy and laden with confusion. Fearful that she’s about to tell me something bad, something that’s about to knock my world on its axis.
“Preston is your half-brother,” she mumbles. “He and Ryder share a father.”
My mouth falls open, but the words I want to voice don’t come out. My body is trembling with the news that I’m only Preston’s half-sister only. But more than that, relief settles in my stomach that Ryder is not related to me in any way.
“You cheated on Dad?” I rasp, confusion setting itself heavily in my gut at the thought of my parents being other than the utterly in love couple they portray.
“I did. I made a mistake and I pay for it every day, Piper,” she whispers, shame so clear on her face. “I was young and impressionable.”
“That’s what those Kingsley men prey on,” my father hisses through clenched teeth.
Shaking my head, I step closer to them both, to my mother who’s now crying when I glance her way. “No. This is ridiculous that you can put Mr. Kingsley’s wrongdoing on Ryder. He’s not the bad guy here.” I point at my mother then, feeling every bit as angry as my father looks. “This is on you,” I tell her. “Both of you, don’t come near me or Ryder, or even Preston again.”
Spinning on my heel, I make for the doorway, but my father’s strong hand grips my arm, tugging me around.
“Listen to me, and listen good,” he rumbles. “If you walk out that door, there’s no coming back in here. I forgave your mother years ago for what she did, but I will not have my daughter messing up her life because of a Kingsley.”
My heart cracks. My chest aches, but my mind is set. I’ve seen my father angry so many times before. His temper has always been something that we as kids have been wary of, but this is beyond any of that, and I no longer care.
“Then I’ll never ever see you again.” My response causes a whimper from my mother, and it turns my father’s face purple with rage. “This isn’t on Preston or me. We no longer have to answer to your tyrannical ways. Now, let go of my arm because you’re hurting me.”