Cutting Ties (Book 2) (Piper Anderson Series)

by Danielle Stewart

  Jules’s eyes instinctively fixed on Piper’s leg. Michael could almost hear the questions fluttering through her mind. What number was it? Did it hurt? He watched as she bit at her lip to stay silent.

  Betty clasped her hand around Piper’s and eyed Jules to do the same. As the three women sat with their hands together, Michael felt a warm feeling in his chest. He’d seen so many victims who had to stand alone, it was comforting to see someone with a soft place to fall. He turned toward Bobby and asked what he thought was an obvious question. “What did the police say? Are the FBI already on scene?”

  “They haven’t made any connection to my father yet,” Piper said, attempting to sound casual, as if Michael might actually let it go.

  “Are you going down to talk to them tonight? You have to tell them who you are and what you know.” Michael sat up a little straighter in his seat, readying himself for a war of words if it came to that.

  “The girl attacked today had the number twenty-three carved in her leg. It doesn’t even make sense,” Piper boomed defiantly, startling Betty and Jules who jumped slightly. “He didn’t try to kill her, there was no wound to her femoral artery. The information about my father is available to anyone with Internet access. This could easily be a copycat, or a rogue crazy person just trying to feel connected to the case. I’ve read hundreds of websites over the years dedicated to my father. He has fan clubs. The second I expose myself, my life in Edenville is over. The FBI will swoop in here and Piper Anderson won’t exist anymore.”

  “And every second you don’t tell them who you are, you’re unprotected. You can’t roll the dice on this being some kind of coincidence,” Michael shouted, meeting her raised voice with his own.

  “I’m not saying I won’t come forward, I’m just saying let’s give it a couple of days for more information to come out. Let them go over the evidence before we do something we can’t take back.” Piper let her voice drop from angry to scared. “I’m not ready to leave here.”

  Betty put her hand to Piper’s cheek and rubbed it gently. “There isn’t a man on this earth, government agent or killer, who is going to take you from us. I’m sorry you never had much family, but you have one now. We can get through this together.” She shot a threatening look over to Bobby and Michael, letting them know the subject was closed for now.

  “Thank you, Betty.” Piper let the tears forming in her eyes spill over. Michael reluctantly realized Betty was the only one speaking with her heart. He wished he could offer the same but it just wasn’t logical in this situation.

  Michael blew out an exasperated breath and looked over at Bobby as if to question are we really agreeing to this? Bobby shrugged back at him looking equally as conflicted but, at the same time, helpless. “A couple of days,” Michael said, resignedly shaking his head. “But we act as though this is your father. We take all the necessary precautions for your safety, for everyone’s safety.”

  “I know this is a lot to take in all at once,” Piper stuttered, rubbing the tears from her eyes and looking at each of them. “This chaos has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but this is the first time I haven’t been alone.” She smiled gratefully and Michael’s heart ached for her.

  “Michael, I want to ask you something,” Piper said quietly.

  “Of course,” he replied. “You can ask me anything.” He couldn’t think of a single thing he wouldn’t do for her at this point, and frankly that worried him.

  “What the hell is wrong with your apartment?” She kept the same deadpan look on her face as she spoke. “It’s like a combination of a sterilized operating room and a cave. How do you live like this?” She let her face break into a smile as Betty let out a loud cackle and Jules brought her hand to her mouth to stifle her giggle. Michael couldn’t help but smirk. He enjoyed how, even in the darkest moments, this group could still find small pieces of joy. He’d overlook the fact they were at his expense.

  He wasn’t, however, going to take this lying down. “Have you people never heard of Modernism? Just because we’re in North Carolina doesn’t mean everything has to be rustic and well-worn. That couch you’re sitting on is a one-of-a-kind. It cost me two months’ pay.” His face was red as he gestured over to his furniture.

  “Well you got screwed!” Piper exclaimed. “I feel like I’m sitting on a piece of driftwood wrapped in leather. Next time you go furniture shopping remember this—rule number one: the couch shouldn’t be sharp.”

  He rolled his eyes and shook his head now that the whole room was laughing at his designing skills. “I’m sorry, next time I’ll make sure to run over to Goodwill and get the fluffiest dust-mite-collecting plaid couch they have.”

  “See if they have any curtains, or maybe something that isn’t made out of metal.” Piper was laughing now, and though Michael didn’t like being the butt of the joke he was happy to see her having fun. Jules and Betty were on either side of her, their bodies shuddering with amusement. When they composed themselves for even a moment one would point to the odd steel lamp with clear plastic shade or the spirally spindles carved into the edges of his coffee table and laughter would begin again.

  Michael looked over at Bobby who was being far more polite than the girls. Still, he couldn’t help making one small quip. Bobby fought back the urge to laugh as he spoke, “I like it, it’s all very you.”

  With that, the girls all spilled over onto one another, hooting away. Betty calmed herself long enough to make a request. “Can we please just move this bookcase? It’s blocking that beautiful bay window. You’d get so much more natural light. You have to start somewhere.”

  Bobby and Michael obediently rose and started taking commands from all three women who were still sitting on the couch. They pointed and shouted as Michael and Bobby shifted furniture to the left three inches, then back to the right. They squared themselves up to move the large mahogany bookcase as they waited for the girls to decide on its new and improved location.

  “Make up your minds,” Michael demanded. “I’m moving this thing once. It’s heavy as hell and I’m not throwing my back out because you can’t agree.” When they finally chose the perfect spot, Bobby and Michael began shimmying and shoving it in that direction. It snagged on the throw rug and Michael wedged himself in behind it, squeezing between the wall and the bookcase. His intention was to tilt it back toward himself so Bobby could move the carpet out of the way. But when he tried to move his arms, he realized the space was much smaller than he’d anticipated. As he went to slip himself out, Bobby’s maneuvering closed Michael in further.

  “Can you tilt it back?” Bobby asked putting all his weight into trying to lean it toward Michael.

  “I’d love to, if I could move my damn arms. I’m stuck.” He pushed at it with his shoulder but the carpet was bunching beneath it and keeping it from budging. When they all began to realize that Michael was in fact wedged quite tightly behind the bookcase they couldn’t help but find the humor in it, though Michael certainly wasn’t enjoying it.

  “Would you ladies please get off your asses and help move this? I’m starting to feel like Baby Jessica in the well back here.”

  Bobby, Jules, and Piper all looked at each other blankly. “Who is Baby Jessica?” Jules asked, her voice laced with confusion.

  “Seriously?” Michael shouted from behind the bookcase. “You people don’t know who Baby Jessica is? I need to start hanging out with people my own age, you can’t appreciate good eighties references.” There were less than ten years between all of them but these were the moments Michael realized what a difference a decade could make.

  “I’m sure my mom knows what you’re talking about. You guys will always be able to tell your old-timer jokes to each other.” Jules peeked into the small space where Michael was standing and he growled at her.

  “Just shut up and put your hundred ten pounds into moving this stupid thing.” As they all worked to free him, Michael caught a glimpse of Piper giggling with Jules. He realized this
might just be a normal moment of joking for anyone else, but for Piper this was probably what she’d been missing all these years. Now all they had to do was make sure she stayed alive long enough to enjoy it.

  Chapter Three

  They had all become a little too good at altering their lives for safety purposes. When they were trying to take down the judge and the risk to them was greatest, they’d found ways to make it all work. It wasn’t something they wanted to be so practiced at, but they were practically professionals now. Once again, they adjusted their schedules and sleeping arrangements to ensure strength in numbers. Piper had taken an open-ended leave from the cable company. She told them she had a personal issue, and, surprisingly, they had been supportive. They let her know that if there was a position available when she was ready to return, it would be hers. If they had only known how frequently she had used her position at CableCom to gain entrance into people’s homes in order to further her own agenda, they certainly wouldn’t be so accommodating. She later heard through the grapevine that her employment there was a crucial part of a “diversity” initiative. Apparently, though she wasn’t surprised after the way she had been received by most customers, CableCom had trouble attracting and keeping female employees in Edenville.

  Jules and Michael had aligned their shifts so that he dropped her off and picked her up each day at Town Hall. It was certainly convenient since they were all staying at Betty’s house. Bobby and Piper had taken over the two couches in the sitting room while Michael had begun sleeping upstairs with Jules in her childhood room. She had put most of her belongings in storage after her annulment from Scott, hoping it wouldn’t be long before she was moving into a new apartment. Her old bedroom unfortunately still had all its pink ruffles and a tiny bed, which made the experience not only physically uncomfortable, but a little psychologically disconcerting as well.

  Life at Betty’s house was definitely cramped. Yes, the meals were amazing, the conversation lively, the company wonderful, but the space was small. Michael, Bobby, and Piper sat quietly on the front porch taking refuge from the confined quarters and enjoying the midafternoon sun. The weather had turned colder, but there were still days, if the sun was shining brightly, when you could easily forget it was almost winter.

  Bobby read the worried look on Piper’s face as she stared out to the end of the driveway. “What is it, Piper?” he asked, reaching over to hold her hand. They were back on their swing, the place they’d first fallen in love. She shook herself out of her thoughts and took comfort in the fact that Bobby’s hand, warm and encompassing, still felt as thrilling today as the first time she had held it. It was such a small act of intimacy, but when you have no privacy, you take what you can get. She was frequently surprising herself lately. Her thoughts would get away from her and before she knew it she’d be picturing the two of them writhing in pleasure, his eyes locked on hers. Something, a crack of reality, would make its way back in and she’d realize that she’d been quiet too long, or that eyes were on her. Her cheeks would pink and she’d fight to squelch the heat rising in her.

  “I’m grateful for everything you guys are doing for me, but it feels extreme. There isn’t really enough room for all of us to stay here. Aren’t you getting a little sick of it?”

  “I’m with you, Piper,” Michael said, exhaling dramatically and cutting in before Bobby could reply. “I’m not sure I can go too many more nights sleeping in that pretty princess room. There isn’t much privacy in this house. The walls are paper thin, and Thumbelina’s bed up there squeaks like a rusty hinge. Let’s just say it’s not really setting the mood right now. I’d imagine the two lumpy couches in the sitting room aren’t cutting it for you two either. Maybe we should consider splitting up. There’s no reason you and Piper can’t go stay at your place for a night, and the next night Jules and I can stay at my place. I care about you, Piper, but a man has his limits.”

  Piper wanted to walk over and high-five the man. He hadn’t sugarcoated it or danced around the issue. They were all grown people, who, since meeting, hadn’t had nearly enough time alone. She and Bobby barely had a chance to kiss passionately before someone would be coming in to chat or walk by to fill a late-night glass of water from the kitchen. Piper sat up a little straighter, and, out of painfully obvious desperation, shouted, “Yes!”

  At that, Michael let out a laugh. “I guess you guys should take the first night then. At least Jules and I have a door. Sure there’s a sticker on it that warns no boys allowed, but that’s a loosely followed guideline.”

  Bobby was reluctant, but he had to admit, a night alone with Piper wasn’t just tempting, it was impossible to turn down. It took fewer than thirty minutes for Bobby and Piper to stuff clothes into their duffle bags and say their goodbyes. They hadn’t talked details, they had no set plans, but they weren’t going to let that slow them down. They both sank with a sigh of relief into the cab of Bobby’s truck. They waved farewell to their three friends who were perched on the porch. Betty was waving her normal gentle goodbye while Jules and Michael were giggling to each other, seeming to mock Bobby and Piper’s hurry to leave. They’d apparently done a feeble job at hiding their desperation for each other.

  Bobby turned on the radio softly, and Piper could hear a familiar country song humming through the speakers. “Where should we go, your place or mine?” he asked, knowing how much that sounded like a pick-up line best saved for a bar.

  She didn’t care about the cheesy line. As a matter of fact she didn’t care if they never spoke another word again until they were exhausted from passion. They had been patient, they had leapt every obstacle and waited for the right time, but now Piper was becoming more convinced that if they didn’t seize the moment, the right time would never come.

  “You’ve already seen my place. It’s nothing special. I’m very curious about your apartment. Maybe we should go there.” She imagined his place to be the ultimate bachelor pad. Maybe the end tables would be milk crates and the bed frame made of cinder blocks.

  “It’s not really an apartment,” Bobby admitted, blushing a little. That reaction sent Piper’s imagination into overdrive.

  “Is it a trailer?” she asked, trying not to sound put off by the idea. The apartments of her youth were nothing to brag about. There were frequently more cockroaches than tenants.

  “No,” he said, snickering a bit at her assumption. “It’s a house. When my parents moved back up north a couple of years ago I moved into an apartment. I couldn’t settle in though, it all felt temporary. So I bought a little house on the edge of town. It isn’t far from your place. It’s just set back in the County Grove neighborhood.”

  They drove in silence for the next few minutes as they entered the beautifully landscaped neighborhood. The sun seemed to shine brighter around these houses, and there was a wonderful sense of community here. Children were playing in the yards, neighbors chatting by the mailbox.

  Piper frequently found herself resisting the urge to imagine life after all this mess with her father was over. She wasn’t one to be overly optimistic or to dream of better days. She preferred reality. But as they pulled up to Bobby’s charming little blue house with its pristinely landscaped yard and intricately carved front door, she heard her heart say, I could see us living here. We could make a life in this house. Bobby pulled into the stone driveway and parked. In his usual gentlemanly fashion, he crossed in front of the truck and made his way to Piper’s door. He pulled it open and Piper realized this was something that would never get old. They locked hands as they moved up his front walk, and as much as she continued to try to fight it, she felt like she was walking into her future.

  When he turned the key in the door Piper’s mind was twirling with excitement, alight with images of a thousand tomorrows. As she entered and scanned the room, she couldn’t help but shake her head in disbelief.

  “What’s the matter?” Bobby asked, squirming a little and looking self-conscious about his space and her reaction to it. She search
ed the living room for the smallest sign of mismatched furniture or sports memorabilia. When her search turned up nothing, she turned to face Bobby. The couches were sand-colored suede with matching warm-toned pillows. The room was bordered with white trim that popped against the subtle blue walls. Framed art hung symmetrically above the mantle. The whole place was warm and inviting and was in stark contrast to not only Michael’s place but also to how Piper imagined it would look.

  “Where’s the lopsided old microwave cart you’re supposed to have your television on? Where’s the coffee table you made yourself out of pallets? I don’t see a single sports magazine anywhere. This house looks like something a grown-up would live in,” she teased as she gestured over her shoulder to his things.

  “We are grown-ups,” he whispered, reaching toward her and tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear, implying they were about to partake in some very adult activities. She narrowed her eyes at him knowing something was up. He broke their locked gaze and dropped his head in embarrassment. “All right, you caught me. I bought all of this in one shopping trip. This was exactly how it was set up at Houston’s Furniture Store, and I told them to wrap it all up, right down to the coasters. I did the same thing for the kitchen and bedroom.” Piper wanted to engage him in banter about how ridiculous it was to buy full sets of furniture from a place like that. The vase on the table was pretty, but it had probably cost him significantly more from a furniture store than it would have anywhere else. But she said none of that. Her mind had gotten hung up on the mention of his bedroom, the thought of them in his bed.