Page 70 of Never and Always
There were still drop cloths, ladders, and gear everywhere, but I smiled. The shade of green looked great.
The sliding door to the balcony was ajar. I guessed it was to let the paint fumes out.
We needed to get the new furniture in, but that wouldn’t take too long. Yes. This was progressing according to plan. I turned in a circle, studying the walls.
I heard a noise behind me and assumed it was Tessa.
“What do you think? It looks great, doesn’t it?”
I turned and saw a bedraggled Chance standing behind me. I gasped.
His hair looked like he’d run his hands through it a hundred times, and he had a swollen, black eye.
“Chance,” I whispered.
“Piper.”
Then I hugged him. He was alive.
I felt him jerk, and when I looked up at him, I saw his wince.
My insides chilled. “You’re hurt.”
“Took a few blows.” He shrugged one shoulder, then grabbed my arm. “You have to come with me.”
“What?”
“Now.” He dragged me toward the balcony. “I need to keep you safe. You need to come with me and we’re getting away from here.”
“No.” I pulled away from him. “I can’t leave, Chance. I have work, and for the moment, I live here.”
“The people after me are not nice, Piper.”
“I’m well aware of that.”
He made a sound. “I don’t have time for a fucking lecture of what a screwup I am.”
I dragged in a breath, trying to stay calm. “Let me help you.”
He looked away, swallowed. “You can’t.”
“I can. You’re my brother, Chance, I love you. I want to help.”
“I really messed up this time, Piper.”
Suddenly, Tessa breezed in. Chance froze, and Tessa slowed to stop.
“You must be Chance,” she said.
“Chance—” I tried again.
“No.” A violent shake of his head. His fingers tightened on my arm. “We have to go.”
“Listen to your sister,” Tessa said in a calm, steady voice. “We have people who can help.”
“Please,” I pleaded.
There was twitch of the curtains by the sliding door and a man stepped inside from the balcony. He was dressed in dark-brown pants with a dark, leather coat. He was older and grizzled.
