Page 17 of Deserving Cora
“We’re leaving in the morning. Owl and I will meet with our friends at The Refuge and make a plan for going to Arizona to potentially talk to your friend.”
Cora’s eyes widened, then her shoulders sagged in what Pipe could only assume was relief. “You believe me?” she whispered.
Pipe stared at her for a long, intense moment before nodding.
She closed her eyes briefly before looking back up at him. “No one else has,” she said in a tortured tone.
“You know your friend better than anyone. If you say she’s in trouble, why shouldn’t I believe you?”
“Because there’s no evidence? Because she told me that she’s fine? Because what womanwouldn’twant some rich man to sweep her off her feet and whisk her away to a life of luxury?” Her tone was a bit bitter, but Pipe didn’t take offense.
“I’ve relied on my gut more times than I can count. And it’s never let me down. If you say she’s in trouble, she’s in trouble,” he said with a shrug. “Any chance you’ll wait here in DC while I go find Lara?”
Cora looked aghast. “What? No! I’m going with you!”
Pipe couldn’t stop the small smile from forming on his lips.
“What’s so funny?” she asked a little belligerently.
“Sorry, nothing. I had a feeling you’d want to come with us.”
“OfcourseI’m coming with you! My best friend may or may not have been kidnapped by her asshole boyfriend. There’s no way I’m staying here while you go and see her.”
Pipe nodded. Anticipation churned in his gut. He couldn’t be upset that she was coming back to New Mexico with them. He was looking forward to spending more time with the woman. Getting to know her better. Not that anything would come of it…she lived in DC, and he wasn’t going to leave The Refuge. But it had been a long time since he’d been drawn to a woman the way he was to Cora.
“All right,” he told her. “I’ll escort you back to your apartment so you can pack a bag. I’ve got two beds in my room here at the hotel. It’d be easier if you came back and stayed here, but if you don’t feel comfortable with that, I can pick you up at your place in the morning, then we can meet up with Owl and head to the airport.”
Cora nodded, even as she turned toward the restaurant’s exit. “You don’t have to take me home. I’m a big girl, and I’ve been riding the Metro my entire life without any issues.”
“I know I don’t, but if you think I’m going to let you walk off into the dark by yourself, you didn’t do as much research into me as I thought.”
Her lips twitched, then she sobered. “I just don’t want you to think I’m some wilting flower who can’t take care of myself. I’ve never had anyone to lean on before, other than Lara, and with the way I’m feeling right now—pissed off and frustrated about this whole situation—I can more than handle anyone stupid enough to come at me tonight.”
“You’ve got someone to lean on now,” Pipe said quietly as he gestured toward the exit. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
She stared at him for a moment, and Pipe had no idea what she was thinking. She was very good at hiding her emotions when she wanted to.
Finally, she nodded and walked past him.
As she did, he heard her whisper, “Thank you.”
Those two words, spoken so softly, so earnestly, did something to Pipe. He’d been thanked before, many times, but never had an expression of gratitude sounded so heartfelt.
CHAPTERSIX
Cora sat next to Pipe on the Metro, his thigh against her own, and couldn’t remember when she’d felt so safe. Usually when she used public transportation, especially this late, she was on edge and fully alert. But with Pipe next to her, looking badass and wearing a scowl on his face, people gave them a wide berth.
She would’ve laughed if she wasn’t so concerned about Lara.
It was hard to believe things had worked out so well. When she’d left her place earlier that evening to head to the auction, she had no idea what would happen. If she won the bid for Pipe, she didn’t know when they might go to dinner. She didn’t know if he’d believe her, or if he’d think she was just some paranoid, desperate, on-the-brink-of-bankruptcy nutcase.
She hated to think anything good about Eleanor fucking Vanlandingham, but the woman had actually done her a favor tonight by being her usual horrible self.
They rode the Metro in silence until they neared her stop.
“This next one is me,” she told Pipe. He nodded and stood, holding his hand out to her.
Cora must’ve stared at his ink-covered fingers for a beat too long, because before she could take his hand, he shoved it into his pocket as if embarrassed.
