Page 75 of Never and Always
“Fowler is a local businessman,” Tessa said. “He’s been in Windward for years, and while he’s not mafia, some of his businesses are on the shadier side. He walks a fine line of trying to stay respectable. On the bright side, it sounds like he’s only after Chance, not Piper.”
Well, it wasn’t much of a silver lining, but I’d take it.
Piper’s face was pale, her skin and clothes smeared with her own blood. All because of her brother’s bad choices. I slid my arms under her and lifted her off the floor.
“Everett—”
“You’re getting checked by the doctor and your cut’s getting stitched, then, I’m taking you somewhere safe for the night.”
She opened her mouth, looked at my face, then closed her mouth.
“Take her to the sick bay room,” Tessa said. “We’ll have Dr. Roberts meet you there.”
I carried Piper down the hall, trying to remind myself she was safe.
“You threw yourself in front of guy with a knife.” I tried to keep my tone controlled.
“To save Tessa! She’s not involved with this. I couldn’t let her get hurt.”
“You shouldn’t be involved either.”
“But I am.” Now, she sounded tired. “I always am. But it’s worth it to keep Mom and Gram happy.”
“They’ll find out eventually, Piper.”
“Not if I can help it.”
I took the back corridor to sick bay so I could avoid the lobby. In the small room, I set her on the narrow bunk. “You worry about everyone else. You work yourself to the bone for them.”
She blinked. “I love them.”
She fiercely protected those she loved, but didn’t look after herself.
There was a knock at the door. “I hear someone needs stiches.”
The older doctor, Dr. Theo Roberts, had been helping out at the hotel for years. I was pretty sure he’d been at my birth. He wore a flannel shirt, jeans, and suede jacket. He had a head full of thick, silver hair and a raw-boned face. “Hey, Doc Roberts.”
“Everett. How’s your father?”
“He’s good. This is Piper.”
“Hello, Piper. I hear you caught the wrong end of a knife.”
She nodded. “Thanks for coming.”
“Oh, Ambrose pays me very handsomely for that.” He set his bag down and flicked it open. “Now, let’s take a look.”
She glanced at me. “Hold my hand?”
I sat beside her and took the hand of her uninjured arm. Her fingers tangled with mine. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter 24
Piper
As I sat beside Everett, I could feel the anger pumping off him.
We bumped over the rough track. We were in the hotel’s utility task vehicle, heading up through the trees on the mountainside. We were both in winter gear, I was back in Tessa’s boots, and Everett had the heat blasting in the enclosed cab of the UTV.
