“How am I supposed to know?”
Danny had done some twisted things for money over the years. Like selling gossip about Ayla Maxwell to paparazzi.
But this was just…bizarre.
A laugh started in my chest, sneaking up into my throat.
He went still. Slowly turned. “Are you fucking laughing at me right now, Piper?”
“Yes, because this is absurd! If this box of Mom’s junk is so important to you, maybe you should try the dump. I’m guessing that’s where Grayden has been hauling things.”
Danny’s expression went even harder. “So that’s who’s renting this place now? Grayden O’Neal? I heard he was back in town, but I had no idea you were so close to him.” He looked me up and down with disgust. “You’re so desperate for money you’d rent this place to a felon?”
“I’ve had enough of this, Danny. Time for you to leave.” I would ask him to clean up his mess, but since when had he ever done that?
“What else are you doing for money, huh? Are you screwing him too?”
My face flushed with heat. “You have no right?—”
“Answer the question.” Danny advanced on me, and I backed up instinctively until I hit the wall of the bedroom.
“Stop. I’m not doing this with you.”
“The only reason I’m here, doing thisat all, is for Ollie and foryou. To make things better for you two, like you’re always nagging me to do. And now I find out you’re slutting around with a criminal?”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “You’re trespassing. I’m calling the police.”
I started to take a step away, reaching for my phone in my pocket, and he shoved me back hard. My head thudded against the wall.
Shock had me in a daze. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
His hand came up just below my throat, pinning me. “I’ve put up with a lot from you over the years.” Danny’s voice was cruel and spiteful. “The disrespect. The lies you’ve spread about me in Hart County. I’m sick of it, Piper. So fucking sick ofyou.”
Fear spiked through me. I’d never been afraid of Danny hurting me before. We’d had our fights, our ugly moments during the divorce, but he’d never gotten physical. Never.
Right now, standing here with his hand at my throat and fury blazing in his eyes, I was genuinely scared.
“Danny,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Let me go.”
“Not until you tell me where that box is. See, I think you know. You’re playing a little game, thinking you can outsmart me.”
“I don’t even know what box you’re talking about!”
“Liar.”
“Danny, stop?—”
His hand pressed against my throat, cutting off my words.
FIFTEEN
Grayden
My palms drummeda beat against my steering wheel as I drove my truck toward home. I leaned back in my seat, singing along with the radio.
I was in a fantastic mood today, and nothing was going to get me down.
I’d driven out to Pine Creek, a nearby town, where another tattoo shop had been looking to sell some gently used studio furniture. I’d even stayed to chat with the artists there for a while.
