by Maggie Cole
Noah taps his fingers on his thigh.
“How long does it normally take for someone to wake up?” I ask.
“It could be a while. Xander’s been induced a few days, and he has a brain injury, so it could be today or a different day,” Chase answers.
“What did the doctor—”
“Noah?” A man with silver-streaked black hair approaches us.
“Eric, what are you doing here?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing.”
Noah motions between all of us. “Two of our friends were in an accident a few days ago, and they are here.”
“Ah. I’m sorry to hear that. I hope they are going to be okay.”
Noah nods. “Thank you. We hope.”
“I just got done with a meeting. You have a minute?”
Noah stands up. “Sure.”
Eric and Noah move to the corner and talk in hushed voices.
Chase turns to me. “Who is that?”
I shrug.
Chase squints at me. “You don’t know, or you don’t want to say?”
“I haven’t met him before,” I tell Chase, which isn’t a lie.
He raises his eyebrow at me as if he knows I know more.
Noah comes back over. “I’m going to go talk further with Eric. Can you call me if Xander wakes up?”
“Sure,” I reply.
“Who is that?” Chase asks.
Noah scans his eyes. “Someone good.”
Chase nods slightly and gives Noah a look I can’t read.
Noah kisses the top of my head. “I’ll be back soon.” Eric has already left, and Noah follows.
“What aren’t you telling us?” Vivian asks me.
I stick to the same story. “I’ve never met that man before. It’s Noah’s business, not mine.”
“You sure about that?” Quinn asks.
I jerk my head at her. “What does that mean?”
“What it means is that you have bodyguards following you, and our safety might have been in jeopardy if we stayed with you at Noah’s. What has he gotten you involved in, Piper?”
Anger flashes in me, and my face heats. Everyone is staring at me, waiting for me to tell them what Noah is up to. But I won’t. I’m not going to betray Noah’s trust or put Noah or them in any possible danger. “Noah hasn’t gotten me involved in anything. I told you we were followed in New York, and it’s just a precautionary measure.”
“Yeah, because Noah pissed off Kramer Sampson,” Chase mutters.
I glare at him.
“Kramer Sampson? From the drug company?” Jamison furrows his brows.
“You shouldn’t talk about things you don’t know about,” I hurl at Chase.
“Noah told me,” Chase informs me.
“And you think it’s okay to throw it around in a public place?” I sneer at him.
“We’re all friends. I’m not out to hurt you or Noah, Piper,” Chase insists.
“What exactly does Kramer Sampson want with Noah?” Jamison gently asks.
I shake my head and shoot more daggers at Chase. “Why don’t you ask Chase? He seems to have all the answers.” I stand up.
“That’s the problem, Piper. I don’t. Kramer almost ruined Noah once before. If he’s somehow involved with him again—”
“He’s not.”
“What do you mean, he almost ruined Noah once?” Vivian asks Chase.
My blood is boiling, and I scowl at Chase in disgust. “I think you’ve disclosed enough of Noah’s business for the day, don’t you?”
“Piper, are you in danger?” Quinn asks.
I turn to her. “No.”
Chase grunts.
“Piper—” Quinn starts.
“Enough. I’m not talking about Noah’s private business or anything to do with that man. If you have something on your mind, don’t sit here and talk to me about it, Chase. You talk to Noah.” I point at him.
He puts his hands in the air. “Okay.”
I turn and walk away. The bodyguards follow me. I go straight outside. I need air.
Jamison catches up to me. “Piper.”
I turn and sigh. “You, too?”
“Can we talk privately for a minute?” He glances at the guards.
I motion for them to leave us, and we sit on the same bench Noah and I sat on the day we arrived.
“Chase doesn’t mean any harm.”
I roll my eyes. “You could have fooled me.”
He laughs softly. “He’s worried about Noah, that’s all.”
“He has a funny way of showing it, disclosing his business like that.”
“So it’s true?”
“What?”
“Kramer Sampson is coming after Noah?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I hope not.”
Jamison pauses for a minute. “Piper, do you know about last year?”
“About Noah’s breakdown?”
He nods. “Yes.”
“Do you know why Kramer hijacked his deal?”
I nod. “He’s told me everything.”
“He’s never told Chase and me.”
“Doesn’t surprise me, the way Chase openly talks about his business.”
Jamison sighs. “He wouldn’t have if there was anyone else around. He only did because it’s a trusted circle.”
“Not that trusted if he didn’t tell you.”
Jamison’s face falls and I can tell I hurt him.
I let out a big breath. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t nice or true. Noah is holding back to protect you. You don’t want or need to know.”
“But you do?”
“He didn’t want me involved, either. Bennett insisted and realizes now he made a mistake not listening to Noah.”
Jamison runs his hand through his hair. “Piper, if Noah is in some trouble and needs help, Chase and I will do whatever we can.”
I smile at him. “That’s good to know, but no one can help him. He’s on a mission, and until he gets what he wants, he isn’t going to stop. And as much as I hate it, I love him more for it.”
Jamison nods. “That would be Noah.”
“Definition of Noah.”
“True. But promise me if there is something we can do, that you’ll tell me. Even if Noah doesn’t want us involved?” Jamison pleads.
After I think about it a few minutes, I promise Jamison. I don’t know what they could do to help, but I know they are his friends and care about him. “Can you tell Chase to shut his mouth though?”
Jamison laughs. “Yep. Consider it done.”
“Thanks.”
“And, Piper?”
“I’m happy Noah finally found you.”
I smile at him. “I’m glad I finally found Noah.”
32
Noah
Eric and I decide that now is as good a time as ever to meet and probably even safer than our original plan, so we find an empty patient room, shut the door, and sit down in the guest chairs.
“We want to start a diabetes co-op.”
He tilts his head at me. “A diabetes co-op?”
“Yes. Members pay an annual fee of one dollar. They can’t use insurance, so it avoids the political issues. To get their insulin, they need a prescription and to be a member.”
Eric whistles.
My pulse is beating against my veins, and I wait for him to talk.
“That’s an incredible idea.”
I proudly smile at him. “I can’t take the credit for it. My fiancée Piper came up with it.”
“That beautiful girl with the curly hair who was sitting next to you is your fiancée?”
I beam at him. “Yes.”
“Brains and beauty?”
“I can’t decide if I love her brains or her beauty more.”
He chuckles. “You did good.”
I nod. “Thank you. I happen to agree with you.”
Eric sits back in his chair with his hands clasped, tapping his thumbs together. “Who’s going to run t
he co-op?”
“I’ve been thinking about that. Piper’s friend in Chicago runs a nonprofit that oversees co-ops, and we could have her work with her contacts in other cities who run similar nonprofits.”
“That sounds interesting.”
“Yes. We ran into her at dinner. It’s how Piper came up with the idea.”
“Hmm.” Eric scratches his cheek. “If the members own the co-op, then Kramer has no one to come after. The only person he could link this to is me.”
I jerk my head at him. “I’m not looking for you to put your head on Kramer’s platter.”
He leans closer to me. “Son, I’ve been in this game for a long time. My sources are all hidden, but if he does come after me, I’ll deal with it. I’m approaching seventy. My companies are set in trusts, and I can make sure they are secured, so if anything does happen to me, he can’t change anything.”
“Eric—”
He cuts me off. “Noah, I’ve been thinking a lot since we last spoke. My entire life, I’ve wanted to make a difference with my company. Every step of the way, I’ve been railroaded somehow. This is probably my last chance to do something for good. I never discovered the cure for my mother’s illness, but this will help more people than I ever could have even if I had discovered the cure for her illness.”
“But—”
He cuts me off again. “I bought these rights and processes over the years and hid them. I never knew why, but my gut told me to. This is it.”
A chill runs through me as he speaks. I know how huge this is, and I understand his desire to make a difference. “You sure you want this on your back?”
The line between his eyebrows deepens. “Yes. And don’t think twice about it. You’re young, and you have a beautiful woman out there. Your life is in front of you. Just continue to be the good man you are. Connect me with the lady who runs the nonprofit, and leave the rest to me.”
Surely it can’t be this easy? “You’re going to take care of everything? You don’t want me doing anything?”
He nods. “That’s correct. You already have. Give me your contact’s name, steer clear of this, and let me do what I know how to do.”
“That easy, huh?”
Eric smiles at me. “Yes.”
I try to give him an out again. “You sure you want this on your head?”
He taps his fingers together. “I’ve waited years to take down Kramer Sampson. The best part is he isn’t going to know what hit him.”
I pull out my wallet and hand him Dawn’s card. “This is the woman from the nonprofit you should contact.”
He grabs it, as well as my hand, and holds onto it. Our eyes lock. “From this point forward, you have nothing to do with this. You are out of this mess. If I get any whiff you’re anywhere near it, I’m shutting it down. You understand?”
I grapple with myself. “This has been my baby...my obsession...for over twelve years. Taking a step back is not going to be easy.”
“Noah, this isn’t a request. You step back, or I’m out.”
This is for the greater good. Time to hand the reins over.
I take several deep breaths. “You got a deal. I’ll step back.”
When I get back to the waiting room, Piper and Jamison are gone. “Where are Piper and Jamison?”
Quinn shifts uncomfortably and looks at Chase. Vivian stares at the floor.
My gut flips. “What’s going on?”
Chase’s expression tells me I’m not going to like what I’m about to hear.
“What?” I ask him, almost angry already.
He clears his throat. “I might have questioned her about your involvement with Kramer.”
My heart beats faster, and I scowl at him. “You did what?”
“I’m only worried about you and her safety,” Chase defends himself.
I take a deep breath. I know Chase doesn’t mean any harm, and he’s worried, but he shouldn’t be speaking Kramer’s name. “I’m only going to tell you this one time. There is nothing to worry about anymore. So stop worrying and don’t ever mention his name again.”
Chase releases a big breath. “Okay, Noah.”
“Did you put Piper in danger?” Quinn shoots daggers at me.
Oh fuck. I seriously don’t need to be dealing with this today.
I run my hand through my hair. “She’s not in any danger.”
“You have bodyguards watching over her.”
“Yep. She’s not in any danger. We have it covered, and it’s just me being overly cautious.”
Vivian snorts. “Overly cautious, but she’s not in danger, huh?”
“You all—”
“Need to stop questioning, Noah,” Piper cuts in.
I turn around, and she’s standing with her arms folded. I give her a tiny smile. But I don’t want her mad at her friends. “They aren’t doing anything wrong. They only care about you. But I’m trying to explain to everyone that there is nothing to worry about now or going forward.”
Piper tilts her head. “No?”
I grin. “No. All is good.”
“Really?”
I nod. “Yes.”
Piper comes over and curls into my chest. I kiss the top of her head.
“So there was something,” Quinn points out.
“Quinn.” Jamison puts his hand on her arm and shakes his head. She takes a deep breath but doesn’t continue prying.
I know Piper has questions, but I’m not going to talk to her about anything until we are alone. She doesn’t even ask. She knows me well enough. I wink at her and kiss her on the lips.
“Chase.” A pretty nurse I’ve never met, with blonde hair and blue eyes, is standing in the doorway, smiling big.
Chase stands up and grins back. “Hey, Carly.”
She touches his arm. “Your friend is awake.”
He puts his free hand on the side of her shoulder. “That’s great. Thank you for letting me know.”
“Sure.” She still has her hand on his arm and is giving him a puppy dog stare.
Vivian shifts in her seat. Then she taps her foot on the floor. Quinn is also staring at Vivian, and I realize that it would be interesting to know what’s been going on at Chase’s house these past few days.
“Can we go see him?” Jamison asks, breaking Carly’s spell on Chase.
She holds up two fingers. “Two people at a time is the maximum.”
“Okay. Thanks, Carly.” Chase winks at her.
She gives him one admiring glance then smiles and walks away.
I raise an eyebrow at him.
“What?” he asks me.
I raise my brow higher.
“We’re just friends. Don’t get any ideas,” Chase adamantly states.
“Does she know that?” I’m only half teasing. Out of the four of us guys, Chase is the biggest playboy. Before Piper, I probably was second, but ever since I met Piper, I don’t have any interest in anyone but her.
Chase ignores my comment and gives me a small scowl then turns toward Jamison and points. “You and Noah go first.”
Jamison nods. “All right.”
Piper kisses me quickly on the lips. “I think it’s visiting hours. We’ll go spend some time with Charlotte. Come get me when you’re done, okay?”
“Sure.”
Quinn walks over to Piper. Vivian stands up and goes out of her way to avoid Chase. The girls leave.
I point at both Jamison and Chase. “What’s up with you two and the girls?”
Neither answer me.
“Well?”
Jamison shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“You like Quinn?”
“Yeah, I like her. But she lives in Chicago.”
I can understand that. I turn toward Chase. “And you like Vivian?”
He holds his hands out in the air. “She’s cool.”
I know what that means. “Okay, well, make sure you don’t break their hearts or Piper will end up hating you two.”
Chase rolls his eyes. Jami
son nods. I snap at Chase, “Hey, man, I’m serious. I even warned you several days ago.”
He holds his hands out. “I haven’t done anything. Chill out.”
“Yeah, well, I know how you are.”
He smirks at me. “Spoken from the king of ass himself.”
I grin. “Yeah, but this king of ass is off his throne. I know when I have a good thing.”
Chase chuckles. “Fair enough. But get your ass into Xander’s room so I can go visit him when you’re done.”
Xander is sitting up in bed when Jamison and I enter. He has a bandage over his head, but a big grin forms on his face when he sees us.
“It’s about time you woke up,” I tease him.
He laughs. “I guess I needed a break from all those hours we’re putting in.”
“You have worked hard,” Jamison agrees.
“Max is probably ready to cut me, huh?” Xander asks.
Max? Jamison and I glance at each other. Max is our old boss from when we were all paramedics together in our early twenties.
“Funny,” Jamison says.
“Don’t tell me a car accident suddenly gave him a heart?” Xander continues.
Jamison and I exchange looks again.
“He’s still heartless,” Jamison tells him.
“No surprise there. So is my Tahoe destroyed, or can it be fixed?” Xander’s face scrunches slightly.
His Tahoe? He hasn’t had that since we were in our twenties, either.
I step closer to him. “You’re going to need a new vehicle. It’s destroyed.”
“Fuck.”
I step closer to him.
“So, where’s Billie?”
Billie? His old girlfriend?
Jamison’s face falls. “They would only let two of us in. Chase is dying to see you. Let me switch out, and I’ll be back later.”
“Okay, man.”
Jamison raises his brow at me on the way out.
“So, is Billie okay?” Xander’s face scrunches.
“Xander, how old am I?”
“You can’t remember?”
I snort. “Just humor me.”
“Twenty-two.”
My gut sinks.
“What?” he asks me.
I pat his arm. “Happy you’re awake, man. I’ve been worried about you.”
