When We Fall (Take the Fall, #2)(56)

“I’m up for anything.”

“Then I hope you’re up for cleaning out my closet.”

She gives me an odd look. “I’m not sure how that’s going to help.”

“Just you wait and see.”

—

“I can’t believe you sold all of your shoes and purses,” Rowan groans as we walk to my car, considerably richer than when we first arrived. I didn’t take much clothing since what I own, while beautifully made, isn’t what their clientele is looking for, but my shoes and purses…no one can resist them.

Ebony ended up calling all the branches as well as the district manager. It was like Christmas had arrived in there.

“I kept a few pairs.” The ones Jase loved and ones that would function well for work.

“But you love your shoes and purses.”

“I love your brother more.”

Rowan stops at the car. “I’m sorry I doubted you, even for a minute.”

“You were upset.” I pull out my phone and search for the phone number of McBeal and Associates. “All that’s left to do is secure Ms. McBeal and get her recommendation for a PI. Then we’re set.”

“God, I hope this works,” Rowan says.

“It will.” It has to…none of us can afford to lose Jase again.





Chapter 19





Jase


I sit in a room with one light and a two-way mirror. There are three chairs and one table with a recorder in the middle. The third chair is for the bad cop to sit in while the good cop tries to be my friend and coax a confession out of me.

But it won’t work. I’ve danced this dance too many times before.

The door swings open and who should walk in but Piper’s father.

“I’m not here in an official capacity,” he starts off. “I’m here to tell you in no uncertain terms to stay away from my daughter or else.”

“Seems to me Piper has made her choice and I’m it.”

He slams his hand down on the table. “Don’t you dare be flippant with me. She might have a soft heart for you, feel sorry for you, or whatever it is that makes her love you, but I don’t give a damn.

“I’ll do whatever is legally allowed to come after you, after your business, and after your sister’s business if you do not end your association with her,” he adds in a menacing tone. “I will find a way to shut both of you down.”

I tip up my chin and look down my nose at him. “She works for me. I’m not going to fire her and kick her out of my house.”

“Break up with her and she’ll come home where she won’t have to worry about work or bills, or selling her clothes to Aristotle’s Closet to pay her debts.”

She sold her clothes to pay bills? Why didn’t she tell me?

“You have three days to make it happen.”

“Three days?”

“I like to think that I’m a reasonable man, even when it comes to my daughter’s future and well-being. Three days is enough time for a change of heart, don’t you think?”

Right now, I don’t know what I’m thinking except that I want to get the hell out of here.

“Good talking to you.” Piper’s dad leaves the room.

—

By the time I’m done with everyone and his brother questioning me, it’s late. So late that I text Seth to come get me instead of calling Piper.

He arrives at the station in no time flat and doesn’t say a word the entire ride home, which is fine with me since I need the silence in order to come up with alternatives to breaking up with Piper. I’m not going to let that * ruin anyone’s life, yet I can’t think of a damn thing.

“Thanks for the ride, Seth,” I say as we pull into my driveway. Every light is on in the house. “Is there a party going on in there?”

“Welcome. Don’t worry, Rowan is home. Piper is waiting on you. Not sure about the light thing.”

“She doesn’t like the dark,” I acknowledge.

I get out of his truck and walk inside, slamming the door behind me.

Immediately, I’m caught up in the sweetest hug I’ve ever been given. “You’re here. You’re home. Why didn’t you call me to come get you?”

“You don’t belong in that place.”

“But you were gone for so long that I was afraid they put you in jail without a trial.”

“Can’t do that, kitten.”

“Good.” Piper’s entire body shakes. I run my hands up and down her back to calm her down. She’s still wearing the same adorable dress and f*ck-me heels from earlier, but I can’t think about that right now. “I have some news for you and I hope you’re not mad at me.”

“I could never be mad at you, but I have some news, too.” I pull her arms from around my neck. “We need to talk.”





Piper


I don’t like the look on his face. It’s not one I’m accustomed to seeing.

My stomach flips. “O-okay.”

“Let’s go in the living room,” he says, taking my hand.

My heart thumps hard against my chest. We never go in there. While the room is nice, it’s just not where we spend time. Once we’re standing by the sofa, he sits and I do the same.