but that didn’t stop her from getting in his face as she said, “From now on, my relationship with Harley is off-limits. You want to joke around about aprons and that nonsense? Fine. But things have changed, and if my sex life comes up again, I’ll give you bruises that you’ll have a hard time explaining. Got it?”
Regret rose in his eyes. “Got it, boss. Sorry.” His gaze shifted over her shoulder, and in a more forceful tone, he said, “Can we help you with something?”
“I’m here to see Piper.”
Marshall’s voice fueled her frustration, sending an icy chill down her spine.
Piper turned, feeling the scowl on her lips and the narrowing of her eyes. She knew the feel of the glacial expression she was giving off well. It was the one she’d used on Harley the night he’d found her on the dock when they were younger. She’d mastered it in the years since. It was a look that said, Don’t even try to fuck with me, because I will tear you up and spit you out.
Marshall looked nothing like he had when they were teenagers. His hair was coarser, he was bearded, and the tattoo sleeves and the ink snaking out from beneath the collar of his black T-shirt gave him a sinister edge. His face had a tough, leatherish appearance, like he’d been roughed up so many times even his skin exuded a don’t-fuck-with-me vibe. His eyes conveyed a completely different mood, hovering somewhere between arrogance and uncertainty. He gave off a third, more complex wave of energy with an aggressive stance, but his arms hung loosely by his sides, strangely nonthreatening. Assembling all of those attributes was like trying to fit the pieces of several different puzzles into one. Piper’s emotions tangled and fought in protection of Harley, spinning angrier by the second, but frustratingly tethered by some unseen leash to the past.
Mike stepped between them, facing Piper. “You okay, boss?”
“Fine,” she said, her eyes never leaving Marshall’s.
Mike faced Marshall, and Piper knew he was sending his own silent message of protectiveness before finally walking away. She didn’t need anyone’s protection, but she was proud to have earned it just the same.
“Marshall.” His name came out like an accusation.
“Saw your truck. Dalton Contracting? Congratulations.” His eyes swept over the building. “What is this place?”
“Commercial property going on the market when I’m done with it. Stop the small talk. Why are you here?”
He took a step forward.
“That’s far enough,” she said sharply. She didn’t know what he was thinking or what he might do. In fact, she realized she didn’t know him at all. After all he’d done to his family, she wondered if she ever had.
The surprise in his eyes quickly dimmed with something akin to regret. “I thought we could talk.”
“I’m not the person you should be talking with.”
“Yeah, well, I was hoping you could help me with that.”
She folded her arms and said, “Then you can take that hope with you when you walk off this job site.”
“Come on, Piper. Obviously you and Harley have something going on. Can’t you talk to him for me?”
“What Harley and I have is none of your business, especially after the way you’ve treated him. Harley has been here to help your family through more than any family should ever have to endure, and he’s done it alone. I have absolutely nothing to say to you, and if you think I’ll try to sway Harley one way or the other, you’re wrong.” A thread of guilt wound through her. This might be her only chance to help Harley and his family by helping Marshall see the error of his ways. But that would be digging him out of his hole, doing exactly what Harley didn’t want and what Marshall didn’t need. So she squared her shoulders and said, “This is your mess, Marshall. A good man would do whatever it takes to clean it up. Harley’s not just a good man. He’s the best man I know. Unfortunately, right now I can’t say the same about you.”
She turned around and found eight good, strong men standing shoulder to shoulder, arms crossed, all eyes on Marshall. Her crew, her family, had her back, causing a freaking lump to lodge in her throat.
“You’re wrong about me, Piper,” Marshall called after her.
She gritted her teeth, hands flexing, heart thundering, and glanced over her shoulder. “Prove it.”
She strode around the corner of the building and walked inside, unwanted tears vying for release—for the