Piper: A Last Score Spin Off

by K. L. Shandwick

  Soothing me, Simon’s voice was soft and calm, praising me for all the great things I had achieved despite my history, and when he had finished, he flashed me his usual sexy smile. However, it didn’t quite reach his eyes, and I didn’t miss the pain held in them.

  Seeing how difficult Simon had taken the incident with Colin, I reached up and grabbed his face on both sides. “I know what you’re thinking, Simon,” I said with conviction. “There’s a look in your eyes that tells me you think you failed me because Colin got in here in the first place, when the truth is I owe you.”

  “You owe me?”

  “If you hadn’t been so quick in responding to my Messenger picture, God alone knows what could have happened in here.” Every word I said was true. Gibson and his security may have been the muscle, but it was the quick thinking of Simon that prevented me from further harm.

  “You know you have this innate ability to make me feel like the better man, Princess?”

  “Not better… you just get me.”

  Sliding his arms around my waist, he nodded, narrowed his eyes, and placed a small kiss on the end of my nose. “I’d get you much better if you brushed your teeth; man, that sick smells putrid. What the fuck did you eat?” He chuckled, when I shoved him away, covering my mouth as I swung past him to do as suggested, instantly mortified by his comment.

  “You think after all this you’re ready to face the press?” Simon asked as he leaned his butt against the sink and folded his arms while I brushed my teeth and tongue.

  “Yeah,” I mumbled around the paste, “Piece of cake after the past half hour,” I replied, slurping up some water from the palm of my hand and spitting it down the sink. Throwing the toothbrush from hospitality into the trashcan, I grabbed Simon’s hand. “It’s gotta be done, then maybe they’ll leave us alone for a while,” I hoped.

  “All right, Princess, anything you say. Let’s do this.” Sounding more upbeat than he had at the start of our conversation, he took my hand in his, held it like he’d never let it go and led me to find the others.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  If I said the press were astounded when Gibson disclosed the true nature of my relationship within the family, it would be an understatement. Gasps and low murmurs spread through the small meeting room like wildfire.

  Bluntly, he stated how much he and his bandmates had suffered at the hands of the press over the years and how irresponsible and careless they were with the truth.

  Gibson then told them he would be making a statement and I would not be taking questions. He commanded the pack of reporters from the get-go.

  “Rumors wreck lives.” His salient comment was pointed, direct, and followed by a weighted silence as he quietly checked out every one of the reporters in front of him. Goodness, if these are his friendly reporters, I’d hate to hear how he speaks to the rest. I bit back a small smile at how focused the members of the press were.

  Once Gibson had addressed his opinion about their shoddy research skills attached to the recent stories about all of us, he turned their attention on me.

  Disclosing how he had offered to help me catch a break, he added this would be what any other father would do for their daughter if they believed they had talent.

  There were a few raised eyebrows because I hadn’t chosen to do this.

  “Truth is, Piper has principles, bigger than any of you guys here. Not only did she reject a possible contract with Sly Records, but she also insisted we keep our connection on the down-low while she did it on her own. By the way, do you know Piper was offered an album with Gravity, forty-five minutes after she sent them her demo?”

  Each of the reporters looked to the other as they mumbled amongst themselves.

  “You know how forceful I can be when I want my own way, right?” he asked them. They nodded and a few chuckled. “Let me tell you how hard this young woman here fought for the right to sink or swim in her own boat.” he told them, eyeing me as he shook his head and gave me a small smile.

  “This young lady had other ideas, and let me tell you, she’s damn well full of them.” A ripple of laughter spread through the press pack. “Not only did she insist I back off, but if you all saw what I saw this evening, you’ll know she was right to be confident she could make it on her own.”

  Low murmurs of agreement came from the group and I did what I could to prevent the scoff that hung on my lips. I thought it strange how human nature was and how they preferred to judge, sensationalize, and target opinions with negative comments, but when proven wrong they found it difficult to admit their faults and apologize with the same enthusiasm.

  “Our girl here is insanely talented. She’s young, yet so mature… way beyond her years, and I’ve never met anyone more hard working. If I were any of you I’d be out there helping her spread the word about her voice, not focusing on what she does in her personal life. Being a public figure should be what she’s known for, not what she does in her downtime.”

  My chest swelled with pride when Gibson praised me the way he did. It took a lot to impress him, music-wise.

  Lifting a small jug of iced water sitting in front of him, Gibson poured himself a drink, took a large swig and placed his glass back down on the table before he continued.

  “Piper is new to all this, yet you’ve given her the toughest run of propaganda since the minute she stepped out with Simon. He and I know better than anyone how hard it is to get space to breathe in this line of work. Believe me, this girl has had more press attention, directly or indirectly at the hands of you guys than any of us in M3rCy had in the beginning. Why? Simon, of course. Sure, he’s got a past. Past. That means behind him. Piper is in front… ahead of him, and from what he tells me she has more than a fair chance of being his future.”

  “You approve of the relationship?” A female reporter threw out the question with a raised eyebrow. I recognized her from when Gibson brought her to our home to talk about Melody.

  “One hundred percent. Like I said, Piper knows her own mind… Simon too… well… most of the time,” he joked, and everyone chuckled.

  Simon’s hand squeezed mine under the table and I glanced to the side. His warm smile reached up to his eyes, and they locked with mine. My heart melted. As he licked his lips, he showed no hesitation when he leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss on my own. His public display of affection meant the world to me.

  “All right, there’s not much else to say and I know Piper’s little sister is busting to see her, so I’ll leave you with one last comment. When our fans recognize us everywhere we go, we, as public figures accept them as part of the package when we’re not officially working.”

  Gibson glanced at Simon then to me. Gesturing with his finger at all of us individually he nodded as if he were thinking to himself.

  “However, you guys need to take better responsibility for what you report. In case you didn’t know, we rock stars have deep pockets and much better legal teams than your daily rags and mags. You all would do well to remember this.”

  When his chair legs scraped back on the wooden floor, I looked up and saw Gibson was on his feet.

  “Now if you’ll excuse us all, I think you’d agree it's been a pretty big night for our beautiful Piper,” he informed them, holding out his arm for me. Without releasing Simon’s hand, I stood, stepped forward and took a hug from one of the two best men I had ever known, and Gibson kissed the top of my head.

  “Next time you print a picture containing any of us three, my wife, or my other daughter, you’d better run it past my team or myself, Simon, or Piper, before you print it in the context of a story.”

  Weirdly, no one tried to squeeze in any questions and we filed out of the small room M3rCy’s PA had snagged for the conference. None of us spoke until the door closed then Simon slung his arm around my shoulder.

  “You doing okay?” he asked, concern clear in his tone. “Yeah, a little shaky still, but knowing he’s not coming back helps.” I said, about Colin.

&nbs
p; “What say we show our faces and jump back on the plane to Breckenridge tonight?” Gibson suggested.

  “Piper would you rather me take you home where you can have a few days peace and quiet by the beach? When you’re rested I’ll take you to Colorado when you had planned to go up there?” It sounded exactly what I needed but before I could reply, Simon addressed, Gibson. “Melody’s with her mom next week until Saturday is she not, Gibson?”

  I had expected Gibson to press the point about me going up there because he was worried about me being supported after Colin’s appearance, but he nodded and shrugged.

  “Whatever Piper wants. As long as she’s happy.” My heart clenched because both men left it to me to decide.

  “Yeah, if you don’t mind, Gibson, I’ll go with Simon. I want to recharge my batteries before I see Mel if that’s okay?”

  From the moment of the press conference I had heard a shift in Gibson’s language and the way he regarded Simon in respect of me. It was as if when he knew Colin wasn’t a danger to me, he could relax a little and let me take responsibility for myself.

  The way Gibson had spoken about Simon was as if he were part of the team and Simon would take care of me, even if Gibson hadn’t voiced this.

  Although I wasn’t in a party mood, I was glad I had shown my face because I had wanted to thank my band for all their support since they’d come on board.

  It had been a crazy couple of months and it was thanks to them I had an awesome team to help me put my best foot forward during my first small tour and performances.

  Layla Hartmann gave me an end of tour bonus because in places where she’d been struggling to fill the venues, as word got out about me, her whole tour sold out. She said it was thanks to me, but most of the audience were hers first.

  I passed most of the extras forward and onto the band, who were obviously delighted with their latest windfall.

  During the party and a few glasses of wine later, I sang a duet with Melody to her favorite song, “No Tears Left To Cry,” by Ariana Grande, and little Mel was totally badass.

  I was so proud because it isn’t the easiest song to do justice to, but the sweet kid has her father’s timing and ear for music.

  The lyrics were pretty on point for me as well because although I was still shaken, going forward my life was looking the best it had ever been.

  I had a career I had made happen, an incredible boyfriend who despite his past felt perfect for me, and a second chance to be part of a family who had nothing but love for each other.

  A small bump on my shoulder drew my attention from the group of partygoers I was talking to. “Wanna dance with me?” my gorgeous man asked as he gave me a coy look, pretending to be shy. The questioning look of expectation that followed made my heart flip over in my chest.

  “Hmm. Oh, go on then,” I said, like he’d had to coax me into it, when in truth any excuse was good for me to step into his arms.

  Reaching down for my hand, he lifted it above my head, and twirled me romantically around. Placing one hand on the base of my spine and my other in his, lifting it to his chest, he swayed in time to the music with me.

  Warmth radiated from his hard, muscular body into mine as he flashed me a mischievous, sexy smile. Licking his lips, he pressed them to mine.

  Pulling his head back, he gave me a soul-searching look, and we danced quietly to “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur. Simon heaved a long breath and exhaled.

  “This song is perfect because I’m so into you,” he murmured. I barely heard what he said above the music, but it still made my chest tighten when my heart swelled at his words. “Can we leave yet?” he asked as his gaze intensified.

  I glanced around looking for Chloe and saw Gibson hugging Melody over his shoulder—she was sound asleep. “Sure, I think the family is about done for the night,” I said causing Simon to look over his shoulder in the same direction as me and he sighed. “Thank God. Let’s get out of here,” he said, suddenly full of purpose.

  The sound of birds chirping outside drew me out of my sleep as they competed with the constant whirr of the air conditioning. Stretching lazily, I turned to look at Simon who was sprawled flat out in the bed, naked, the white cotton sheet crumpled in a heap at his feet.

  My chest filled with emotion, my throat constricted, and a swell of love engulfed every cell in my body for the man who slept beside me, oblivious I was objectifying him.

  Taking in his beautiful closed eyes, his slightly parted mouth, the dark smooth beard on his chin, I loved it all: his skin, hair, teeth, strong hands; my eyes ticked over his strong lean body and I sighed.

  “Are you checking out my dick?” he muttered, his eyes still closed.

  “Not yet but give me long enough and I’ll get to that,” I stated honestly, “I was kind of saving that sight for last.”

  “Ah, spicy... the best bit, huh?” he asked, shifting on his side to pull me closer.

  “How long have we been together now? Two months?” he asked.

  Squinting in thought, I bit my lip to count the weeks then gave up, “Feels a lot longer than that,” I stated, honestly.

  Staring into my eyes, he fell quiet for a moment and our gaze intensified. I love everything about this beautiful, gentle man. I lay watching his eyes move like he had thoughts running through his head and wondered what he was thinking about.

  Simon took a long deep breath and sighed. His gaze grew more serious and piercing. “I can’t remember life before you, Princess.”

  “God, you’re smooth,” I teased with a chuckle, “And cheesy,” I added, maybe because I felt scared at the depth of his feelings.

  “Since I met you my life has been different.” His comment made me reflect briefly on my own journey through the previous couple of years since I’d lost my beautiful mom. Incidents where Simon had helped me, the love I felt from the whole set-up at Dignity and the Barclays, and where my life path had led me.

  “As in?” I asked.

  “Cleaner. Better. Centered.” Simon shrugged, and his hand moved to rest on my hip. “My sole focus in life is to please you.” I must have looked shocked because he frowned. “I’m serious. Whatever you want, I want. Wherever you are, it's where I want to be. Whoever you’re with, I automatically hate because I don’t want to share you with anyone.”

  “You know you sound pussy-whipped?” I told him. “And clingy.” I laughed softly.

  “I’m in love, Piper. Never felt anything like it. I’m scared as fuck about what this means for us, but I never want it to end.”

  Excitement coursed through my body as his words stole my breath. My heart doubled its beat. Happiness vibrated within my chest with the thrill of his declaration.

  Having someone special to love me the way Simon did was more than I’d ever dreamed of. Simon McLennan loves me.

  “Me neither, I’m scared too,” I confessed.

  A frown creased his brow and he swiped some stray strands of my hair away from my forehead. “Tell me what you're scared of.”

  “This… how happy I am right now. How, when I’m happy there’s always a downside just around the corner.” I was thinking about my mom.

  “A downside?”

  “Yeah, like when I’ll have to deal with a broken heart,” I said.

  Concern and hurt passed through his eyes and he shook his head. “Not by me… I promise. Never.” The determination in his voice made me breathless.

  I fell silent wondering how he could say any of this with so much certainty in his tone.

  “You don’t believe me?” His eyes suddenly dulled with worry. Searching his face, I could see in his heart he believed what he was saying, but who knew what would happen in the future?

  “I’d marry you tomorrow, but that wouldn’t be fair to you.” My jaw dropped, and I almost choked, while my heart stuttered for a semblance of normal rhythm at his declaration and I jerked back from him.

  Shaking my head in denial, my heart skipped another beat and I suddenly felt shy
. A flush of embarrassment flooded through me.

  Casually, I made a blasé joke about what he’d said because I was sure it was only said to reinforce how much he liked me. “No, you wouldn’t,” I chuckled, “but thank you for saying that.”

  He sighed and tightened his grip on my hip, “Baby, you have no clue how unsettled I feel about you. You say you love me, right? Think of how that feels, and I bet it pales in comparison to what’s going on inside me.”

  Nothing could have prevented the beaming smile that spread on my face, “It’s a lot to accept,” I replied, my voice barely a whisper.

  “You will, in time. I’m not going to overwhelm you, Princess, I’ve waited thirty-two years for a beautiful girl like you, a little longer won’t chew me up. I’m not going to force what we have because I need you to be sure being mine is what you want… that I am what you need.”

  “I’m already yours, Simon,” I said, my voice shaky with a sudden wave of emotion, “I don’t think I’d ever find a better man,” My eyes moved back and forth over his beautiful solemn face.

  “Only time will tell, Princess. You have a huge career ahead of you, and we both know I have mine, so I’m willing to wait, to test it all out, but when you’re ready if you want me, I’ll still be here.”

  Tears sprang to my eyes as my heart swelled in response to his selfless comment and I knew Simon had a great deal of genuine thought to us being together.

  Even though he felt I was ‘The One’ it took guts to put me first, even if that meant the risk of losing me. His statement said his love was unconditional, or he had faith in what we had.

  “I hear what you’re saying, and I’m so deeply touched you’re willing to go at my pace. However, my mom waited for most of my life to take a risk that would finally make her happy. Unfortunately for her, she left it too late. I don’t want to make the same mistake, Simon. It wouldn’t matter how old I was or what I had achieved in life if I chose the wrong person or had no one to share that with.”