Piper: Iron Angels MC, Book Two

by Samantha McCoy

  Aidan hated when she called him that but kept it to himself. He needed information and with Rayden MIA, Sasha was all he had at the moment.

  “There have been several missing kids in the area. I need info on it. Who’s behind it? How deep does it go?”

  “Children, you say?” The change in her tone gave Aidan pause.

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, give me a bit to dig and I’ll be in touch.” Aidan didn’t bother to reply. Once Sasha was finished speaking, she disconnected the call.

  “Today is definitely going to be a fucked day. I can already tell...” Aidan shook his head and walked back to his office after ensuring the door was locked and alarm was set.

  * * *

  Err! Err! Err!

  Aidan was pulled away from the spreadsheet he had been staring at for the last hour by the sound of the alarm being triggered. Someone was in the bar. Pulling the gun from his desk drawer, he quietly exited the office.

  As he got closer to the front, he could hear Rayden’s voice cursing at the alarm.

  “Fucking shit! I entered the right code,” Rayden said to the keypad.

  “Obviously not,” Aidan replied, entering in the correct code and shutting off the alarm. “What are you doing here? And why didn’t you answer your phone when I called earlier?”

  Rayden didn’t say a word, just pointed to the bar. Aidan turning to find Piper sitting there.

  “What happened?” he asked rushing over to her. “Baby, what’s wrong?” Piper was silent, and that silence scared the hell out of him.

  “Someone tried to kill her today,” Rayden replied.

  “What!” Aidan demanded, his earlier conversation with Sapphire and Tank playing back in his head.

  “One of the missing girls was found dead this morning in Hyde Park,” Piper finally spoke. “And the sick fuck left a note on my car saying it was my fault.”

  Aidan was confused. “Wait, what?”

  Rayden spoke next filling in all the blanks — the missing girl being found, the note left on Piper’s car, the explosion.

  After getting the full story, Aidan relayed his visit with Sapphire and Tank. He told Piper and Rayden about the file and everything that was in it, including the pictures of Piper and the note to Sapphire. He also told Piper about Sapphire wanting her to move back into the Angels’ house.

  “Not happening,” Piper replied. “I am not being run out of my own house.”

  “Piper, please,” Aidan begged. “Just until whoever is behind this is found.”

  “No!” Piper stood firm.

  “Piper...” Rayden joined in. “I think it is actually a good idea.”

  “I’ll even go stay with you,” Aidan blurted. He didn’t mean to say that. The words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them. But truthfully, he would do anything to keep her safe.

  “What?” Piper looked between them. “Are you both going to gang up on me now?”

  “Piper, please...” Aidan said, grabbing her hands and bringing them to his lips.

  “No, Aidan,” Piper repeated. “I will not allow whoever this asshole is to push me out of my own home.”

  Frustrated, he didn’t know what else to say. Obviously, the threat to her that Sapphire received was real. And it was equally obvious that Piper wouldn’t be swayed.

  “Would you at least consider staying at Aidan’s place?” Rayden asked.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Piper sighed.

  “What?” Aidan felt his heart constrict.

  “If these people are coming after me because of this case,” Piper explained. “Then it is best if you stay away.”

  “You cannot be serious?” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  “I’m sorry, Aidan,” Piper said as she stood from her seat and made her way to the door.

  “Where are you going?” both men called simultaneously.

  “To work,” Piper through over her shoulder as she exited the bar.

  Both brothers looked at each other dumbfounded.

  She can’t be serious...

  “She’s kidding, right?” Rayden asked.

  “I don’t think so,” Aidan replied.

  Aidan and Rayden rushed out the door just as Piper was climbing into the back of a taxi.

  “Piper!” Aidan shouted, but she ignored him and closed the door.

  He and Rayden stood there, watching as the cab pulled away from down the block.

  “I’ll call Cooper,” Rayden said pulling his phone from his pocket and pressing a few buttons.

  Aidan listened to the one-sided conversation. From what he was able to gather, a towel inserted into the gas tank caused the explosion and Cooper was removing Piper from the case. Aidan didn’t know how to feel about the last part. Piper was devoted to her job and she was determined to bring every child home, but would she risk her career to do it?

  Yes.

  Aidan had no doubts that Piper would risk everything, including her life, to find and protect those kids. That’s just how she was. And it was one of several things he loved about her.

  Love…

  Chapter Eleven

  Piper

  “You’re out, Penelope,” Cooper shouted. “No more. I am handing the case over to someone else. End of discussion.”

  Piper couldn’t believe what she was hearing. First, Rayden and Aidan, and now Cooper. This day could not get any worse.

  “You cannot take me off the case, Cooper,” Piper shouted back. “I’ve built relationships with these families. They trust me. I gave them my word I would bring their children home. Not to mention, some asshole tried to kill me! I want his fucking balls.”

  “I’m sorry,” Cooper said, sitting back down in his chair. “But my decision stands.”

  “Fuck!” Piper shouted.

  “Keep it up and you will find yourself on a mini vacation,” Cooper growled. “Without pay.”

  Piper’s eye narrowed. Fuck him. I am not losing this case.

  “Fine.” Piper opened Cooper’s door and exited his office, closing the door behind her.

  Quickly, she walked to her desk and accessed her work laptop. She needed to download all the file notes and evidence folders to her flash drive before Cooper removed her access. With a few keystrokes, Piper watched as the transfer began.

  “Come on...” She looked up towards Cooper’s door. The last thing she needed right now was to get caught. If she did, she could kiss her career good bye.

  When the last of the data was saved, Piper properly ejected the USB drive and quickly shoved it into her pocket. Grabbing her badge and gun, she locked her desk drawer and left the office. With the abduction case no longer on her desk, there was no reason for her to stay.

  * * *

  Shoving the key into the lock, Piper turned the knob and walked into her house. Using her foot, she kicked the door closed behind her.

  “Number one, that is not a proper way to shut a door and number two, why haven’t you been answering your damn phone, Piper?”

  “Number one, you scared the shit out of me.” Piper placed her hand over her heart. “And two, get your dirty shoes off of my glass coffee table,” she replied to Sapphire who was kicked back and relaxing on the couch.

  “Screw your coffee table,” Sapphire retorted. “Why haven’t you answered your damn phone?”

  “Stephanie, I have a lot of shit to do,” Piper evaded the question.

  Truth be known, she wasn’t in the mood to hear Sapphire tell her to come home. Well, not her home. Not anymore. The clubhouse stopped being her home years ago.

  “You think I don’t know what you’re doing?” Sapphire asked. “About the case? Because I can promise you that I do.”

  Piper ignored her sister and walked into the kitchen. She needed coffee and lots of it.

  “Damn it, Piper!” Sapphire’s voice raised. “Someone is trying to kill you because of the case you’re working on. At least come home so we can keep you safe.”

  “I d
on’t need you or the Angel’s to keep me safe, Sapphire.”

  “Penelope Marie Kimber.”

  “Don’t!” Piper turned. “Do not. You are not Mom, so do not act like you are.”

  Piper watched as her oldest sister took a deep breath. Being the President of the MC was hard on Sapphire, but Piper was proud of her for stepping up and taking on the role after their mom was murdered.

  “Pip,” Sapphire sighed. “I can’t lose you, too.”

  Piper heart constricted. Shit! She hadn’t even thought of that. Sapphire was scared.

  Walking over to her sister, Piper wrapped her arms around Sapphire’s middle and hugged her tight.

  “I promise, Steph,” Piper whispered. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be safe, but I have to do my job.”

  “I understand that.” Sapphire hugged her back a little tighter. “But can’t you do it from the house?”

  “How about this,” Piper pulled back a bit. “If anything else happens, I promise to come home.”

  “Alive?” Sapphire raised her eyebrow.

  “Yes.” Piper returned the look. “Alive.”

  “I don’t like it, but I’ll take it,” Sapphire reluctantly agreed.

  “Good,” Piper smiled. “Now, do you want some coffee before I kick you out, so I can get some work done?”

  “No,” Sapphire chuckled. “I love you, Pip-Squeak.”

  Piper threw her head back laughing. “I love you, too.” It had been a long time since anyone called her that.

  Piper kissed her sister’s cheek and watched as she walked out the door. Piper didn’t fail to notice that on her way out, Sapphire locked the knob before closing the door, either.

  “Always looking out for everyone,” Piper commented to the empty room.

  Turning on the radio, she clicked play on her favorite playlist and fixed herself a steaming cup of go-go juice and got down to business. She needed to go over the files again. Maybe she missed something. Something to indicate who was behind all of this. Something that would point her in the right direction.

  Hours passed. Time seemed to tick on without any solution to the case in sight. Piper could feel the frustration creeping up into her chest. Running her hand through her hair for what seemed liked the hundredth time, Piper stood from her chair and walked over to the set of windows facing the street.

  “I’m going to find you,” she whispered, her breath fogging the glass. “I promise. I will find each of you and bring you back home,” and she meant it.

  One way or another, each of the kids would be found and returned to their parents. Piper just sent up a silent prayer that they would all be alive. She didn’t know and couldn’t even fathom what a parent felt losing a child, but she’d seen the results of the devastation. She had seen families ripped apart. Parents lose themselves in their grief. And she’d be damned if she had to knock on another door to tell another parent the heart-shattering news.

  Just as she was about to walk into the kitchen to make a fresh pot of coffee, her doorbell rang. It was after ten. She had no idea who would be at her doorstep this late. Grabbing her gun, she quickly exited the files on her laptop and closed the lid. Walking to the door, she looked through the peep hole to see Aidan standing on the other side. Relief rushed through her, but it was short lived. He should be at the bar right now.

  “What’s wrong?” Piper asked as she opened the door.

  “Nothing,” Aidan replied. “I brought dinner.”

  "What?"

  "I brought dinner," Aidan repeated more slowly.

  "I heard you, but why?" Piper asked. "I told you to stay away."

  "And I chose to ignore it," Aidan countered, walking past Piper and into the house.

  "Aidan..."

  "No," Aidan interrupted. "You do not get to push me away, Piper. You did not get to come into my life like a tornado, then once things get a little crazy just shove me away. It doesn't and won't work that way."

  "Aidan, it's not just crazy, it's dangerous," Piper replied. "And if something happened to you, I'd never be able to live with that. I have to keep you safe."

  Piper watched as Aidan set the bag from her favorite chicken joint on the kitchen table and began to pull items from the bag. The man was gorgeous. There was just no other way to describe him. She craved him. She wanted him in her life but had no idea how to keep him in it and keep him safe at the same time.

  "Piper," Aidan interrupted her thoughts. "I don't need you to keep me safe. I am more than capable of doing that on my own. I am not afraid of the dangers in your life. I knew what your job entailed, and I entered this relationship with my eyes wide open."

  "Relationship?" Piper asked, a zing of excitement flew through her body. "Is that what this is?"

  She watched with a slow smile creeping across her face, as Aidan sauntered over to her. Reaching up, he traced his fingers softly along her cheek. His touch, as simple as it was, could almost bring her to her knees – not that she would ever admit that to anyone.

  "Yes, it's a relationship," Aidan whispered, leaning in to place the sweetest kiss on her opposite cheek. "Now, enough. Let's eat."

  She stood there for a moment, unsure if she should again tell Aidan to stay away.

  If anything happened to him... she couldn't even bring herself to finish the thought.

  "Piper."

  The sound of his voice pulled her from the thoughts circling in her head.

  "Let's eat, baby."

  Piper took the chair that Aidan had pulled out for her and watched as he placed the fried chicken strips and fries on her plate and slid it in front of her. She hadn't even realized how hungry she was until that moment. They ate in comfortable silence, but Piper couldn't help noticing that every few minutes, Aidan's eyes would drift to the laptop sitting across from them. Piper knew the questions were coming and she didn't have to wait long.

  "So, what are you working on?" Aidan asked as he cleaned up their mess from dinner.

  "Nothing," Piper answered.

  "Really?"

  Piper knew he didn't believe her, she didn't have to even see the look on his face. Protectively, she didn't want him anywhere near her case.

  "Piper, listen." Aidan started.

  "No," Piper interrupted. "It's really nothing. I was just playing some online games."

  "And you're a horrible liar."

  "What? I am not!" Piper replied. "I happen to be a great liar. Thank you very much!"

  "Not at the moment," Aidan chuckled. "Listen, I know you are working on the kidnapping case. Let me help you."

  "I was removed from the case."

  "And? Like I believe for one second that removing you would keep you away from it."

  "I'm not..."

  "Piper, just let me help you." It was Aidan's turn to interrupt her. "Maybe a fresh pair of eyes can see something."

  It couldn't hurt. Not like I'm finding anything. Piper sighed.

  No! I don't want him anywhere near this case.

  But... What if he sees something I'm missing.

  He won't. This could get him killed.

  But, he could...

  No!

  Piper warred with herself. She wanted to keep him safe, but she was desperate to bring this case to a close and all the children involved, home - safe and unharmed.

  "Piper," Aidan sighed. "I'm extremely capable of handling myself. And, I do know a thing or two about working cases."

  "Just because your brother is a cop, doesn't mean you can work cases, Aidan."

  "I never said anything about it being because of my brother. Now did I?"

  "Then how?" Piper countered. "How would you know anything about working a police crime?"

  "That isn't important right now," Aidan replied. "But what is important is finding a way to bring this case to an end and eliminate the threat against you."

  Piper took a minute to really study Aidan. His response left her feeling on edge, like she missed something and now her mind was traveling in a million directi
ons trying to recall what she had missed.

  What the hell was wrong with her? When had she lost her ability to pick out details? When did things start to slip past her? And why in the hell was he suddenly so... mysterious?

  What are you trying to tell me, Mr. Wright?

  Piper couldn't remember Aidan ever saying anything about being in law enforcement or having any other connection to it, other than through Rayden.

  “Stop overthinking, Piper,” Aidan smiled. “I will tell you everything you need to know, but not right now.”

  “Okay,” Piper stood up. “This entire conversation is making me nervous as fuck. I think you need to leave, Aidan.”

  “What?”

  Piper could tell she surprised him; hell, she surprised herself. Piper wanted to take it back, but she didn’t. Something was going on. This case had taken a turn for the worse and became personal.

  Right after Aidan came into my life…

  Stop! Piper sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

  This case was getting to her and she was losing her mind. She had never had internal battles like this before. She was normally a ‘follow your gut’ type of girl, but for some reason, her mind wasn’t allowing that anymore.

  Probably because someone tried to blow up my car.

  Piper turned and made her way over to the door, “Aidan, please leave.”

  She watched as he stalked her direction. Every fiber was screaming at her to slam the door closed. To keep him there with her, but she couldn’t. Until this case was over, she needed to keep everyone at a distance – especially those that brought confusion into her mind.

  Aidan reached up for Piper’s face as he came to a stop in front of her. She felt as his hand slid along her cheek and around to the base of her neck. Tilting her head, she looked into his eyes and almost lost herself.

  “Don’t push me away, Piper,” Aidan whispered as he lowered his lips to hers.

  “It’s too…” Piper didn’t get to finish her sentence as Aidan’s lips pressed against hers.

  The kiss seemed to go on for forever. Lips and tongues fighting for dominance. Piper could feel the moisture building between her thighs. She needed him in a way that she had never needed anyone.

  But what if he’s behind this…