Page 52 of Kiwi

Piper

Sitting with Tai, and Gampy, I watch the sun go down and listen to the tree frogs croak. It's been hours since Dad jumped on his bike, mad as hell at Tai and me. He just drove away without hearing anything I had to say, and I've been stewing on my emotions and biting my tongue on the matter all damn day. I'm so angry over the way my family handled everything. Needing to get a few things off of my chest, I stand. "I'll be right back." Leaning down, I press my lips to Tai's.

He scrunches his brow. "Everything okay?"

"No," I tell him.

Tai sighs. "Let it go, babe. What's done is done."

"I'm not a little girl anymore, and my family needs to realize that, Tai. I'm going to have my say," I answer him honestly and walk away before he talks me out of it. Spotting Uncle Abel, I step off of the porch and walk across the yard. "Why didn't you stop Dad from beating the crap out of Tai? Nobody here did a thing to stop him." I stop in front of my uncle, my arms cross over my chest.

Uncle Able shakes his head. "I'm sorry, darlin' but it wasn't my place, or anyone else's to step in." His features soften. "You know it had to go down that way. Even Kiwi knew how his brother was going to react, and rightfully so."

"Are you kidding?"

"Piper." Promise walks over and tries to calm me.

"What happened earlier today was completely unnecessary and blown out of proportion," I say.

"It's different for a father, sweetheart." My uncle tries again to get me to see reason. "There is a certain code we live by and a high level of trust along with the respect that comes with being a brother. You know that too, sweetheart." I grit my teeth to keep from arguing further because I see Uncle Abel's point. I'm aware of how the club works, but it strikes a nerve anyway.

"I need to talk to my dad," I announce. Turning, I stomp back over to the porch where Gampy and Tai are sitting. "Gampy, can I borrow your truck? I'm going to find my Dad."

"Keys are in the visor, darlin'." Gampy continues to rock in his chair, never missing a beat.

Standing from his chair, Tai walks with me over to where my gampy's truck is parked. "You going to be okay, babe? Do you think you should let your dad cool down, maybe talk with him tomorrow?"

"I won't be able to sleep until I say what I need to say. I'm so angry with him, Tai. I mean, look at your face."

Hooking his arm around my waist, Tai pulls me against his chest. "Don't be too mad at him, Piper."

I look up at Tai's battered face. His lip is split, with dried blood still on the surface of his skin. "I knew he was going to be upset, but I didn't think he would ever hit you."

"I knew what I was risking by making you mine and claimin' you in front of my brother."

"Do you regret making me yours?" I ask.

Tai takes my face between the palms of his hands. "Never. Making you mine is the best decision I have made in my entire life." Then he kisses me.

"Go talk to your dad, and afterward, I want you to come to me."

I climb into the truck, and Tai kisses me one last time through the open window. "Are you going straight home?" I ask him.

"Yeah."

I nod. "I'll see you at your place soon."

Tai goes to walk away but abruptly stops and turns back toward me. "And Piper."

"Yes?"

"Pack a bag. You'll be stayin' the night."

When I pullup to the house, I park the truck next to my dads' bike, cut the engine and climb out. I don't bother going inside the house. I already know he's not in there. Instead, I make my way around the side of the house and into the backyard toward his workshop. As expected, the large rollup door is open, light from the inside flooding out. I hear a loud, clinking sound coming from inside. When I step into the shop, my dad is standing with his back to me as he pounds on a large piece of fiery glass. I know he feels my presence but is refusing to acknowledge me.

"Dad," I call out. He ignores me. I call out again, louder this time. "Dad." Still nothing. I sigh and try again. "Dad."

When he continues to pound away at the glass instead of looking at me, I lose it. Picking up the closest thing within reach, which happens to be a beer bottle, I throw it to the floor to my right and watch as it shatters to pieces "Look at me!" I shout.