Hyde and Seek

by Layla Frost

  “I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

  “I tried to save you from him. I tried to remind him how young you are and how much more experience he had, wanted, needed. The trash he usually fucked talked about how he liked it. At least he wasn’t as bad as Rhys. Thank Christ you didn’t get with that pervert. Still, I thought even if Jake did go for it, you’d run from him when he did that stuff. But you couldn’t get enough. You were fucking begging for it. I heard you. Literally begging. Like his dick was magic. Like you needed it to breathe.”

  It’s not his dick I need to breathe.

  It’s only him.

  “And, fucking Jacoby.” The hate twisted his face again. “All of a sudden he couldn’t get enough. He wasn’t jumping to anyone else. Girls, exactly his type, would come on to him, but he brushed them off like they were pests. Nothing more than annoying gnats. He wasn’t even tempted.”

  Based on him leaving with Rachel, I’m guessing that’s done.

  “He didn’t go with the plan. What’s so addicting about that pussy, Doll Face?” he asked softly. As his eyes travelled my body, his arousal became evident. Dropping the tattered panties, the scraps fluttered uselessly to the ground.

  I knew what was going to happen if I didn’t find a way to distract him. “You never told me the plans. You started packing ‘cause we’re going, right?”

  Z walked towards the side of my bed, his eyes bright with twisted pleasure. “You hurt him so badly, he’s not coming back, Doll Face. He’s probably fucking Rachel already. You told him how you really feel, didn’t you? You were over him. No one could fake being that mean, that cold. Tell me you don’t love him. Tell me!”

  Even in the face of his crazed rage, I couldn’t force myself to say the words.

  A pained yelp burst out instead when Z pulled his arm back and backhanded me. The force slammed my head back to collide with the headboard. Lights burst behind my eyes, and a dazed nausea followed.

  “I told you to say it. We need to stick to the plan. You weren’t supposed to love him. He wasn’t supposed to love you. And now he’s hurt you. It’s his fault and he’ll die, Doll Face. Just like Green. Just like James. You weren’t supposed to be here. I have to do things to protect you. You weren’t supposed to see.”

  I couldn’t keep up with his tirade. It was a safe bet that no one but the voices in his head could.

  I tried my best to appease him. “Tell me the plans. Please. I want to make sure I’m doing the right stuff.”

  “I love you. I knew you’d love me, I just had to get you away from him. He had you blinded and fooled. But it’ll be fine now. We’re going to disappear together, anywhere you want. Just the two of us at first, but we’ll start a family soon. Jake didn’t want kids, but you’d make such a good mother. That’s another way I’m protecting you, by giving you everything you deserve. Where do you want to go?” Sitting on the side of the bed near me, his hand rubbed my tight cheek.

  Holding back the urge to scream and move away, I clenched my fists until my nails dug into my palms. I could feel my blood dripping down my fingers.

  I forced a smile. “Somewhere far. If we’re going to be together, we need to go now. Just the two of us, we’ll leave all this behind.”

  If I can’t get away, I’ll make him take me far from here. To keep Jake and everyone safe, I’ll do anything.

  I jolted back, hitting my head again, when Z lowered his head and sloppily pressed his lips to mine as he climbed on top of me. I could feel him hard, thrusting against me. Tears pooled in my eyes as I battled to control my retching stomach. My mouth filled with saliva.

  “I have to feel you again, Doll Face. I have to see what made Jake go so far from the plan.”

  Again? What the hell is he talking about?

  “We should leave. Please, before someone shows up. We’ll just go,” I begged, trying to prolong what was clearly an inevitable.

  When Z set his gun down on the side table, I lurched up in a feeble attempt to get it.

  His hand closed tightly around my throat. Using his hold, he pushed me down onto my pillow.

  My stomach heaved as I tried to breathe around the pressure.

  “We’ll leave when I’m done and my scent is on you. After it’s me you’re screaming for.” Getting up onto his knees, his hand pressed harder against my throat while he focused on undoing his pants.

  As my head started pounding and my lungs burned from lack of air, I fought hard.

  Not against Z, or what he was trying to do. His grip was too tight and his body pinned me in place.

  I fought against instinct.

  When the black around the edge of my vision started creeping in, I welcomed it. I knew what was going to happen, whether I was awake or not.

  I chose not.

  I heard a final muffled noise. Then blissful nothingness.

  *******

  Jake

  “I gotta grab my keys from the office,” I said to Rachel as she led me from Piper’s kitchen.

  When we entered the room, the men were still in there.

  Probably discussin’ the best way to handle me losin’ my damn mind.

  At the sight of Rachel hangin’ on my arm, they looked ready to physically take me down.

  “Brother, I know you’re hurting but are you out of your fuckin’ head?” Eli asked.

  “Rachel, believe me, I mean all the offense in the world when I say this because I truly do think you’re a cock-juggling thundercunt,” Kase started before lookin’ at me. “Dude, if you’re wanting what Rachel’s gonna give you, you’d be better off dipping your dick in honey and sticking it down a fuckin’ fire ant hole. You’ll still get that burning sensation, but it’ll save you the embarrassing trip to the doctor for a large dose of penicillin.” He looked back at her. “Once again, Rachel, I mean that in just the absolute worst possible fuckin’ way.”

  “Fuck you, Kase. You’re just jealous we never hooked up,” Rachel spat, movin’ closer to me.

  “Damn, you’ve figured me out. I’m totally heartbroken.” Kase sighed dramatically. “My secret fetish has always been to fuck a chick with fake titties. Especially one whose snatch is probably so loose by now that it’d be like throwing a hot dog down a hallway.”

  “Are you gonna let him say that shit?” Rachel asked me, crossin’ her arms under said fake tits.

  “‘Course not. Kase, there’s nothin’ wrong with good fake tits.” I watched as she started to smile smugly at Kase. “That bein’ said, Rachel’s are seriously jacked up. But don’t lump all fake ones together. Plus, man, if you think I’m dippin’ my dick in anythin’ but Piper, you’re outta your mind. Rachel’s only here ‘cause my gut’s sayin’ Chloe and her are up to somethin’.”

  “I don’t know shit,” Rachel denied, clearly lyin’ as she moved towards the door. Xavier and Eli were already positioned in front of it, no doubt to block me from leavin’ with her.

  “I know you’re a bitch, but that doesn’t mean you’re not smart about this shit. No way would you go along with anythin’ unless you were sure you’d get somethin’ out of it. Edge and his woman already said you were spoutin’ shit about Chloe hookin’ you up with someone. What made you think she’d be able to pull off that miracle?”

  “Even if I knew anything, why the fuck would I tell you?” Her lips curved up as she put her hands to her waist. “Especially after all this?”

  “See? You just proved my point. You won’t do shit unless there’s somethin’ in it for you. And I’ve got somethin’ to offer you that I know you’ll want. But you have to tell me what Chloe’s plan is, and I mean every detail.”

  Her eyes lit gleefully. She’d happily rat out her girl for whatever she could get. “What is it?”

  “I won’t call the cops.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “Why would I care? You can’t prove I know anything.”

  “True,” I agreed. “However, you either took a fuckin’ bath in vodka or you’re drunk, ‘cause it’s honest to God burnin’ m
y eyes just breathin’ in. Plus, I’m doubtin’ that white powder under your nose is makeup. And, if you drove here on your bike, my security cameras recorded it.”

  Rachel’s eyes went wide as she brought a hand up to rub at her nose. “I don’t know much, but I’ll tell you what I do. Just don’t call the cops, okay?”

  I glanced at Key who already had his phone out.

  He looked up and gave an almost imperceptible nod.

  I nodded at Rachel.

  “Promise. Before I say a word, swear it.”

  “I promise no one will call the cops.”

  She’d driven drunk and coked out in the middle of the afternoon. There was no way we’d turn a blind eye to that shit. While no one was callin’, I knew Key was textin’ Detective Oscar. I’d given everyone her number, just in case.

  I tensed at the reminder of the detective and why everyone needed her contact information. “Fuck! Someone give me their fuckin’ keys.” I moved to my safe as Xavier tossed me the keys to his bike.

  “What is it?” Kase asked, all humor gone from his face.

  “I left Piper alone,” I pointed out. I heard the men curse but I turned back to Rachel. “What the fuck was Chloe up to?” Opening the safe, I pulled my gun out and checked it. Grabbing the shoulder harness, I slid it on and holstered the gun.

  “Is that real?” she asked, a mix of fear and lust in her eyes.

  “No, it’s a squirt gun.” I turned away and pulled on my leather jacket.

  “Why do you have a gun?”

  “I own a multimillion dollar custom garage near a major city. What part of this isn’t obvious? Talk.”

  “Multimillion?” she breathed.

  “Bitch, fuckin’ talk!”

  Rachel jumped before she started talking so fast I was having trouble following. “Chloe said she was working with some dude that wanted your bitch. A lot. She didn’t tell me who, just that he was positive he’d get her. She made it seem like it was someone you were close with ‘cause he easily fucked with you all the time. That’s all I know, I swear.”

  “Keep her here ‘til the cops pick her up,” I said as I opened the door.

  “You said you wouldn’t call!” I heard Rachel screech just before it slammed closed behind me.

  “He texted, you selfish…” Kase said, the rest of his words trailin’ off as I ran to Xavier’s bike.

  *******

  I fucked up. Shit, did I fuck up.

  Weavin’ in and out of traffic, I went as fast as I could. I knew somethin’ was wrong. I felt it in my fuckin’ gut.

  I’d fucked up.

  Piper was right when she’d said I didn’t trust her. Now she could be in danger and it was my fault.

  I was missin’ some link between today, the shit with Chloe, and Piper’s stalker. If Rachel was tellin’ the truth, that connection was someone we knew. My mind worked as I tried to figure out who’d do this.

  Not just who would do it, but who could.

  Sweet as she was, there was no way Piper would’ve stayed and let things between us continue because they’d spiraled. If she’d wanted out, she would’ve been gone. She definitely wouldn’t have said she loved me and agreed to marry me if she thought we were just havin’ fun.

  Thinkin’ of Piper with anyone but me made my gut clench and temper rise. I breathed in deep and tried to think it through logically.

  Even if she was endin’ things between us, there was no way Piper would go with James. Maybe she’d be into Gage or Jet, but definitely not Blake Green.

  She didn’t even like his music.

  But they were meetin’ often and with everythin’ Z told me…

  No.

  Not Z.

  No way he’d do this to me. No fuckin’ way.

  It’s gotta be someone else.

  It’s gotta be.

  Even as I tried to convince myself otherwise, the pieces fell into place like a fucked up puzzle.

  The men liked their jobs and they worked hard. I never had to babysit any of them, but I knew where they were most of the time since we worked side by side.

  Except Z.

  He did the wiring in a different room at the shop. He’d had access to Piper’s phone and computer. More importantly, he’d know what to do with them.

  I asked her fuckin’ stalker to protect her from himself.

  I’d been grateful when Piper told me he’d gone into her house to check things out. I’d thought he was bein’ a good friend.

  That was probably when he grabbed her fuckin’ panties.

  At the reminder of the package he’d probably just fuckin’ set on my desk, I accelerated the bike faster.

  Parkin’ a few houses down from Piper’s, I jogged the remainder of the way. I didn’t hear any noise as I climbed onto the porch. My heart halted in my chest as I eased the front door open to reveal a pool of blood soakin’ into Piper’s carpet.

  Pushin’ it fully open, my breath hissed out when I saw James lyin’ in the blood, his eyes on me.

  “Room. Gun. Cops coming quietly,” he rasped. He lifted the phone in his hand slightly but the effort to talk or move clearly pained him.

  I jerked my chin up. Unholsterin’ my gun, I switched the safety off.

  “Take care of her,” he forced out. His eyes closed as his head dropped back to the floor.

  My heart was poundin’ in my throat as I moved slowly towards the bedroom. I pushed tight against the wall and heard the low rumble of Z’s voice from Piper’s room.

  Gettin’ closer, I carefully inched the door open so I could peek in.

  I’m gonna kill that fucker.

  Raisin’ my gun, I steadied my aim. Z was so preoccupied that I could’ve walked right up to the bed.

  One of his hands was around Piper’s throat while his other worked at his pants. His gun was set to the side, almost out of reach.

  I squeezed off a round, the sound echoin’ in the small room. Blood spurted out as the bullet entered Z’s thigh, forcin’ him to roll to the side and fall off the bed.

  Steppin’ to where he sat on the floor, I pressed my gun flush to his temple.

  When Piper’s chest rose and fell steadily, I felt relief so strong it took everythin’ I had not to sink to my knees.

  I looked down at Z, his blood oozin’ from his thigh all over Piper’s rug. I waited, expectin’ him to give some excuse or explanation. To at least say somethin’.

  He didn’t even look at me.

  His eyes stayed glued to Piper as he stared at her with guilt, longin’, and anger. He watched her as if he weren’t currently bleedin’ all over my woman’s floor. As if I didn’t have a gun pressed to his fuckin’ head.

  I was vaguely aware of more noises fillin’ the house as I tried to remind myself that there was some downside to pullin’ the trigger and blowin’ his fuckin’ brains out.

  I trusted him. I trusted him with my woman, with my business. I treated him like a brother. And this is what he does? He scared my woman. He watched her. He touched her. Every word from his fuckin’ mouth, voiced like a concern, like he had my fuckin’ back, was to take Piper away from me. To take my sweetness. He hurt her.

  I didn’t protect her, and he hurt her.

  “Piper needs you.”

  Those words flipped a switch and broke me from my thoughts. I looked to the side and saw Detective Oscar standin’ close with her gun aimed at me. There was another cop next to her with his pointed at Z.

  “Don’t do something you’ll regret, Jake. You can’t see Piper every day if you’re in jail,” she pointed out. “We’ve got this, okay?”

  I looked down at Z again. Despite multiple guns pointin’ at him, he hadn’t moved. His eyes were still locked on Piper.

  My Piper, pale and unconscious because he’d hurt her.

  “Piper needs you” Detective Oscar repeated.

  Droppin’ my arm, I handed my gun off to a startled cop.

  Climbin’ into the bed, I pulled Piper carefully into my lap. I pressed my lips
to her head, the smell of cake filling my nose.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Moving On

  Piper

  “Wake up. Please, fuck, baby, wake up.”

  “What do you want, Mr. Bossy Pants? I’m sleeping.” Yawning, I pulled the blanket tighter around myself.

  “What? Now that you’re gonna be Mrs. Bossy Pants tomorrow, you don’t wanna fuck?”

  “Suddenly, I’m not feeling so tired,” I muttered, rubbing the sleep from my eyes before climbing onto my fiancé.

  “You kept grindin’ your ass against me, makin’ all sorts of sexy little noises in your sleep. Havin’ good dreams?” Jake leaned up on his elbows to kiss my chest as I straddled him.

  “The best. I was marrying this super sexy badass with a huge dick and he was going to fuck me. And will you look at that, I must still be dreaming.”

  Jake’s growl rumbled against me. Lifting me by my hips, he positioned himself to enter me but held back. I tried to push down but his grip tightened. “You know what I wanna hear.”

  “Please,” I begged shamelessly. “Please fuck me.”

  Jake pulled me down as his hips thrust up.

  Leaning forward, I clutched his shoulders.

  One of his hands moved up my side and ribs, the tenderness a sharp contrast to the urgency of our movements. Rubbing gently under my breast, it came to rest in the center of my chest.

  Anger flashed across his face, quickly followed by pain and relief.

  Like I’d done for the past month whenever Jake did this, I brought my hand up to cover his, pressing it closer to me. I began moving faster until my heart beat pounded so quickly it would have been impossible for him not to feel it.

  Even still, it wasn’t until I inhaled deeply that I saw the last bit of tension leave his face.

  *******

  On the night of the attack, one month before, I woke up hazily in my room to people rushing around. Globes of light floated around me, and everything seemed to switch between fast forward and slow mo.