The Company You Keep

I don’t let go of her hand because I never will again. “Hello everyone. I hope you are all having a great time. I have an announcement, and then you can go back to shaking your asses. I’ve been a fucking fool. For months I’ve been in love with Piper, but the businessman in me knew it wasn’t smart. I got rid of that fucker because he’s an idiot. Now that I’ve come to my senses, I want you all to know that Piper and I will be getting married as soon as I can trick her into it.”

The crowd laughs, claps and cheers for us. “I won,” Susan shouts.

“Damn, she did,” Connor says.

“I lost weeks ago,” mutters Dave.

“Me too. All that talk for nothing,” Jayden mumbles.

“What?” Piper asks.

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

They hesitate for a second before Dave comes clean, “The pool. We had a pool going to see how long until you finally became a couple.”

“Wow, so how long has this pool been going on?” I challenge with an arched brow.

“Since your first day working together.” I can’t stop from laughing. I should have just claimed her ass then.

“Well, we’ve wasted too much time. You all have a great night and a wonderful holiday. We’re going home,” I say, then I hand over the mic. We’re about to get off the stage, when I pull her into my arms and bend her back, stealing a kiss for all to see she’s mine.

I pull back and lead us off the stage. We walk through the crowd with a ton of cheers like we just got married. It’s hilariously embarrassing for Piper who hasn’t stopped blushing.

We freeze when a loud scream erupts in front of us. Standing there like out of a scene from Trading Places is Dow in a Santa costume, holding a gun pointed at Piper. I throw myself in front of her.

“She’s coming with me. You’ve ruined my life, Smith. I’m taking your slutty love,” he demands, holding the gun shakily. Fuck, I see someone coming up behind him. I can’t make it out, but they are prepared with a loaded gun pointed at Dow’s head.

“If you want to die, you pull that trigger. But I promise you’ll be dead before you feel the satisfaction,” her security guard says. Dow lowers his gun, but he doesn’t drop it. Her guard is forced to pry it from his hands. When he does, Dow breaks free and tries to attack me. He’s no match for my ready fist.

“Stay down, fucker.” I feel Piper clinging to me as I stare down at Dow with my foot on his balls. He moves, and I kick him in his nuts. “Don’t fucking move again.”

The cops are called while everyone surrounds Dow, protecting Piper from him. I press Piper to my side the entire time. If I let up to talk to the cops, I feel her start to shake. This isn’t how I expected the night to go. I’m going to file a fucking complaint with the building. He’s supposed to be denied access.

“Can we go home?” Piper asks.

I kiss the top of her head, then whisper, “Of course, baby.”

We head out after getting our coats and giving the cops my information in case they have more questions.

I can’t stop staring at her as if somehow I move my gaze she’ll disappear. Fuck, I spent the last seven years protecting my sister and living a completely sheltered life. When I met Piper, that stress eased a little, but not all the way. In fact, every time I thought of just telling her how I felt, I backed away because the risk to her safety. It’s too late to turn back—not that I ever would. I should have known that it was a lost cause from the start. “I’m sorry that today turned out this way,” I say when the elevator doors close.

Her gloved hand comes up and brushes my cheek. Her pretty whiskey-colored gaze twinkles as she looks into my eyes. “It’s not your fault. He is a true piece of crap. Thank you for protecting me.”

I grasp her chin, rubbing my thumb over her lip, then lean in for a quick kiss. When I pull back, I admit, “I’d die for you, Piper. I wish I told you that sooner, but I promise from now on, I’ll never stop telling you that.”

“I love you so much it aches, James,” she adds, thrusting her arms around my waist and dropping her head to my chest. Fuck, I can’t believe I’ve waited this long.

I hit the remote start when we exit the elevator into the parking garage. I want it as warm as I can make it before she gets inside. I open her door and help her in, letting my hands linger a little longer than necessary. I run around to the other side as quick as I can.