Page 45 of Kiwi

"I'm okay, Gampy, just exhausted." Piper lifts her hand, touching his arm.

Pop's eyes cut to me. "Go on and take care of my grandbaby." I can't help but feel that his words carry a deeper meaning.

Walking through the door, we find most of the members, waiting for our return. Amongst the old ladies, I spot Teagan, our unofficial club doctor. Knowing the women need to be looked after, my hands fall from Piper's waist, and hand her over to Bella, who helps her up the stairs. The other women gather Jia and Lelani into their comforting arms, leading them in the same direction.

"Church in the mornin', men. It's been one hell of a day. Piper and those women are safe. We'll deal with the aftermath tomorrow. Mission accomplished. Get some sleep," Riggs announces.

Too wound up to sleep, I grab a bottle of whiskey from the bar and head outside. Strolling across the yard, I sit on a picnic table situated near the water. The smell of the Mississippi River fills my nostrils as I breathe in deep. Twisting off the bottle cap, I take a shot. It burns as it coats my throat. Enjoying the warmth, I take another. It's not long before I hear boots crunch against the loose gravel at my back. Then Fender is sitting down beside me. "You alright?" Reaching into his cut, he pulls out a joint.

I sigh heavily. "I'm good."

Fender takes a hit, then passes the joint to me, and I take it between my fingers, trading it for the bottle in my hand. I take a hit, inhale, and close my eyes. I pass the joint back to Fender.

"Think we'll get blowback for this shit?" Fender asks.

"We didn't leave any evidence behind," I tell him even though there is a bit of uncertainty in the back of my mind.

"What's up with the blind girl?" he asks, and I take the joint back.

"Don't know her story yet. Piper was adamant she stays with us. At the moment, Prez agreed to bring her back."

I hold the joint out, and Fender takes it. He inhales deeply, then says as he blows out the smoke, "Austin seems to have taken an interest in her." I nod, having the same thoughts watching him earlier.

We sit quietly, staring out at the slow-moving water. Adrenaline is wearing off, and my body starts to feel the effects of the past twenty-four hours. My shoulders slump. I'm fucking exhausted. My brother and I sit for a few minutes longer, not speaking a word before I decide to carry my arse inside. "Appreciate the company, brother. I'm beat." I stand.

"I'll catch ya later," Fender says, and I leave him, making my way inside the clubhouse, knowing I won't be going to my bed.

Several minutes later, I'm sitting in a chair beside Piper's bed, watching her sleep, her hair still a little damp from her shower. There's a prescription bottle on the nightstand. As peaceful as Piper looks, I'm assuming Teagan gave her something to help her rest. My heart races as I continue to stare at her. Piper blinks, her long lashes flutter against her cheeks before her eyes open. Her hazel eyes stare at me.

Piper has managed to turn my whole world upside down.

"Hi," she says in a soft, lazy whisper.

"Hey," I say. "I just came by to check on you." I go to stand, but her hands shoot out, linking her fingertips with mine.

"Don't go." Those two little words are my complete undoing, and the last few bricks in the wall I tried to build between us crumbles. Leaning down, I claim her soft lips.

"Go back to sleep," I tell her and sink back into the chair. Piper's eyes quickly flutter closed, and her fingers go lax against mine. I never thought I'd fall for Piper LeBlanc. She was the last thing my heart expected. At this moment, I decide that I'm all in. I will fight whatever battle comes my way to make Piper mine. Consequences be damned.