Chapter 7

CHAPTERSEVEN

Pipe stared blankly at the back of the seat in front of him on the plane and scowled. He didn’t get much sleep the night before. He’d been too keyed up. Now his mind was going in a thousand different directions. He was as amped as he used to get before a mission. He had so many questions rolling around in his head.

He’d been shocked at the condition of Cora’s apartment. Of all the reasons why she didn’t want him to see inside, he never would’ve guessed it was because she was embarrassed that she’d sold every single one of her belongings that she could get any kind of money for, in order to raise enough money to “buy” him. And even winning a date with him wouldn’t have guaranteed that he’d listen to her, or agree to help. Yet, she’d done it anyway.

If anything could convince him that Lara Osler really was in danger, it was that. Most people wouldn’t go to such extremes to convince someone else that they thought their friend was in danger if they honestly, down to their soul, didn’t believe it themselves.

But that brought up the question of what exactly they were going to do. Yeah, they could go to Arizona, knock on this Ridge guy’s door…but what then? Special forces or not, it wasn’t as if they could kidnap Lara a second time if she didn’t want to leave. Would Cora accept that she wanted to stay and simply walk away? He doubted it.

Cora shifted in the seat next to him, and he turned to look at her. Her brown hair was mussed around her shoulders. He couldn’t shake the memory of it spread out on the pillow this morning. He felt like a creeper as he lay in his own bed and watched her sleep, but he couldn’t not look at her. He was both pleased and disconcerted that she’d trusted him so quickly last night. He could’ve done anything to her while she was sleeping. Could’ve seriously hurt her. And yet, she fell asleep seemingly without a second thought.

As if she could feel him looking at her, Cora turned her head and met his gaze.

“What?” she asked a little self-consciously.

“Nothing. I’m just having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that this is really happening.”

She chuckled. “I think that’s my line,” she told him with a small smile. “And for the record…last night wasn’t smart on your part.”

Pipe blinked in confusion. “Why?”

“You don’t know me, and yet you let me stay with you. I could’ve taken your wallet and all your other stuff while you were sleeping. I could’ve hurt you.”

Pipe burst out laughing. He couldn’t help it. “I was just thinking the exact same thing about you,” he told her honestly.

They shared a smile. Then Cora’s faded.

“What was that thought?” Pipe asked.

“Lara is probably scared and maybe being abused, and I’m sitting here enjoying myself, and it feels so wrong.”

“If Lara’s truly the kind of friend you described, she isn’t going to want you to be miserable, even if she is. And we’re going to find her and get to the bottom of what’s going on,” Pipe promised, reaching out and covering her hand with his own.

Cora gave him a sad smile. “I hope so.”

“I know so. You stalked us, so you know what we can do,” he teased.

“I still can’t believe my crazy scheme worked. I mean, it didn’t, but Eleanor actually did me a favor. Maybe I should send her some flowers or something,” Cora said with a small grin.

“The one thing I don’t understand is why you went to all the trouble. I mean, I get that you’re doing it for Lara, but why didn’t you just contact us directly?” Pipe asked. He’d been wondering that for a while now and was glad he had a chance to ask.

Cora shrugged. “I did.”

“What? When?”

“I sent several emails. They all went unanswered. I even called. Left a message, but no one ever got back to me.”

Pipe frowned. Alaska was in charge of the administrative duties for The Refuge, and he honestly couldn’t see her ignoring a cry for help.

“It’s okay,” Cora said, leaning toward him. “I mean, it’s not like you guys are obligated to help every damsel in distress who contacts you. I’m sure you get a lot of requests for help because of your skills.”

Honestly, Pipe had no idea. He’d kept his head down over the last five years and hadn’t even thought about using what he’d learned in the SAS in his civilian life. He wondered if his friends had. They all had special skill sets that could come in handy in certain situations. They definitely had with Alaska and Reese.

“I’ll talk to Alaska,” he told Cora.

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head almost frantically. “No! Don’t! I mean, it’s fine. I’m sure she had her reasons for not responding.”

Pipe’s lips pressed together. He couldn’t make that promise. Now that he knew Cora had contacted The Refuge for help, but hadn’t received a response, he wanted to know why.

“Great. Alaska’s gonna hate me now,” she said, staring out the window.

“No, she’s not. She’s very welcoming.”

She didn’t turn back to him.

“Cora?” Pipe asked.

When she finally looked at him, he was appalled to see tears in her eyes. This tough-as-nails woman was sincerely upset by the idea that Alaska might be in trouble, or might dislike Cora for ratting her out.

“I’m fine,” she said, sitting up straighter.

Pipe could practically see her donning a set of armor to protect herself from the outside world. And he hated it. He’d seen her with her guard down and was attracted to that woman. Cora hadn’t had an easy life, and he wanted to do whatever he could to fix that.

She looked out the window again, and Pipe reached for her without thought. He put his fingers under her chin, turning her face toward him. “You want to know what I thought the first time I saw you?” he asked.

Her eyes widened but she didn’t pull out of his loose grip. “No. I don’t think so.”

He ignored her and went on. “I was on that stage, a place I didn’t want to be. I was wearing clothes that made me feel uncomfortable and out of place. I wasn’t anything like the men who’d come before me, strutting all over the stage, playing to the audience. I just wanted the entire thing to be over with. It’s a weird thing…I’d felt as if I was a lad again, waiting to be picked on a football team at primary, and knowing I wouldn’t because I was crap at the sport and everyone knew it. As much as I tried to tell myself I’d be happy if no one bid on me so I could go home, deep down, I would’ve been mortified if I was the only guy to not get any bids.

“Then you were there. At the front, looking at me, calling out a bid. That first thousand-dollar bid was a relief.”

“Yeah, the short, chunky, anything-but-sophisticated chick in the Walmart dress bid on you. I’m sure you felt soooo relieved,” she told him with an eye roll.

“That’s not what I saw. Last night, I saw a determined woman who looked beyond the tuxedo, the pomp and circumstance. You were looking at me—Pipe. Not Bryson Clark.”

Pipe was pretty sure he was mucking this up, but from that first glimpse of Cora, he’d felt a jolt of…recognition. That he’d found someone who would understand him.

It made no sense. Most people would say he was being ridiculous. But when she’d been outbid, a feeling of despair had swamped him. It was why he’d gone looking for her in the crowd. She might not have won a date with him, but he’d wanted to talk to her anyway. Wanted to know her name.

“Eleanor was right,” Cora said softly. “I didn’t belong there. If I had won, I would’ve embarrassed you at that fancy restaurant. I didn’t even understand most of what was on that menu you read off. I’m more of a pizza-and-burger kind of girl. My shoes were from Payless. Do you know what that is?”

“Yeah,” Pipe said.

A sheen of pink crossed her cheeks, but she didn’t drop her gaze. “I was wearing an outfit that cost me fifty bucks, when every other person there probably spent that a hundred times over. That’s always been who I am. On the outskirts looking in.”

“You might feel that way, but I think when others look at you, they see someone who’s comfortable in her own skin. Who doesn’t feel like she has to conform to society’s norms. They’re jealous, Cora. They want to be like you. Free to be who they’ve always wanted to be, but don’t feel as if they can be.”

“That’s not true,” Cora said softly.

“It is. Why do you think that bitch Eleanor is still treating you as if you’re in high school? It’s because she’s stuck. Meanwhile, you’re free to do what you want, without concern for the opinions of people who just don’t matter.”

She stared up at him, looking unconvinced.

“The woman I saw from that stage intrigued me. You weren’t afraid to look me in the eye. You were going after what you wanted, and that came through loud and clear. I can appreciate a beautiful woman, much as I’d appreciate a piece of art or a pretty sunset. But your loyalty to your friend sets you apart. The hoops you were willing to jump through make you unique. And I’ll tell you this, and I’m not lying—I’d much rather have someone like you at my side as I went through life, than a woman who would ditch me in a heartbeat for someone they thought could give them money or fame or prestige.

“Many women have bought into the scam that men have been perpetuating for thousands of years…that beauty is more important than anything more meaningful. But not you. Your loyalty is more attractive than the most expensive dress or shoes anyone could parade themselves in while in front of me.”

Pipe didn’t know where the words were coming from, just that he felt a bone-deep compulsion to say them. To make this woman know her own worth.

“Pipe,” she whispered.

“And you don’t have to take my word for it. You can ask Lara when we find her. Or Milton. Most people probably look through him simply because his circumstances make them uncomfortable. But not you. You gave him money you earned by selling your belongings, even knowing he’ll probably spend it on alcohol instead of food or a warm place to sleep for a couple nights.”

“He saved me one night from two guys who were drunk and looking to score,” Cora whispered.

“See? Loyalty,” Pipe said.

She bit her lip. “I’ve spent a lot of time researching The Refuge, and the people who live and work there. I read all the stories I could find on what happened to Alaska. She seems like someone I could really like. And if you get on her case about the emails, she’ll think I just want to use you and your friends. And I do…but that’s not why I ultimately decided to go to that auction.”

“Why did you?” Pipe asked.

“Because deep down, you all have a core of goodness. You wouldn’t have started The Refuge if you didn’t. You could’ve started some sort of high-end luxury camping retreat. One that catered to the richest people in the world, and you probably would’ve made a lot more money. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that you can make a living doing what you’re doing now, and helping people while doing so, but I’ve learned to read people. To see their true intentions. And in watching the interviews with you and your friends, and reading the articles, I can tell that you’re all good people. That if anyone could help me find Lara, at the price I could pay, which honestly isn’t a lot, it would be you guys.”

She wasn’t wrong. Pipe was glad that she could read them so well. “Alaska isn’t going to think you’re there just to use us,” he told Cora.

She wrinkled her nose.

“She isn’t,” Pipe insisted.

“If I was married to the man I’d loved my entire life, and living on The Refuge, and feeling as if my life was beginning for the first time—that’s a direct quote from her, by the way; I saw it in an article online—I wouldn’t want anyone coming in who might get my man into a situation where he could get into trouble or hurt. I’d want to protect him, and the rest of the people who worked at The Refuge.”

Pipe hadn’t dropped his hand from under her chin, and he wanted to keep it there, keep feeling her soft skin, but he forced himself to cover her hand instead, which was sitting in her lap.

“I give you my word that Alaska, Henley, Reese, and everyone else who works at The Refuge will not only embrace you, but completely champion the reason why you’re there. In fact, we’ll probably have to make it perfectly clear that they aren’t going to be allowed to come with us to Arizona to get your friend.”

Pipe could see the skepticism in her eyes. But she’d see for herself. She was right about one thing though…the reason Alaska had probably ignored her emails and phone calls was probably about protecting Brick and the rest of the men. He had no idea how many requests for assistance for one thing or another came in through their website. For all he knew, there were dozens a day. It wouldn’t be hard to ignore them as a collective whole. The more he thought about it, the more he was sure he was right. He wasn’t upset with Alaska, not in the least, but it would probably be a good idea for one of them to look through any similar requests. To take that burden off Alaska’s shoulders.

Feeling the need to lighten the conversation, and wanting to see the stress fade from Cora’s eyes, if only for a little while, Pipe asked, “You ever been to New Mexico before?”

She shook her head. “No. I’ve barely been out of DC.”

“Really?”

“Not many people want to take a foster kid on vacation, and since then…” She shrugged. “I haven’t really had the money to go anywhere. Lara and I did go up to Gettysburg and Antietam once. It really wasn’t her thing, but she humored me. I find history fascinating, and being at the battlefields, standing where thousands of men and women fought…it was amazing.”

Pipe smiled. “Well, I think you’re going to like our little slice of the world. The Refuge is nestled in the mountains of northern New Mexico, and the air smells so clean that I swear sometimes I’m on a different planet than where I grew up around London, instead of just a different country.”

“I can’t wait to see it. Honestly, after reading so much about it, I feel as if I’ve already been there. But I know the reality will blow the pictures in my head and what I saw online out of the water.”

She wasn’t wrong. The first time Pipe had seen the land where they were going to build the cabins, he’d known it would be an amazing place. And he hadn’t been wrong.

They made small talk for the rest of the plane ride and when they got on their connecting flight to Santa Fe, they weren’t able to sit together. It gave Pipe a chance to figure out what his next steps should be.

Cora needed to tell her story again, this time to all the guys. They’d need to decide on a plan of action…how to get to Arizona and make contact with hopefully Lara, and if not, this Michaels guy. What happened after that would depend on what they found when they got there…and what intel Tex gave them about Ridge Michaels. For some reason, Pipe had a feeling this wasn’t going to be as easy as knocking on the door, getting Lara, and leaving.

Owl had talked to Stone last night and filled him in on what was happening, who Cora was, and when they’d be back at The Refuge. Pipe was planning on asking Cora if she wanted to stay in his cabin. She’d been comfortable enough sharing a hotel room the night before, and because there were no available cabins anytime soon, he figured she’d jump at the chance to save money on a motel by bunking with him.

Pipe couldn’t help but smile at the idea. He’d thought Spike was crazy for letting Reese stay with him when she’d come to The Refuge, but he understood it now. The thought of being separated from Cora was unsettling…and not just because he had a feeling if left to her own devices, she’d be on her way to Arizona to get Lara back with or without help.

Her loyalty was attractive, there was no doubt, but it also meant she’d set aside her own safety to help her friend. Which wasn’t acceptable for Pipe. Or any of his friends. They wouldn’t allow anyone to get hurt while under their watch.

The plane landed in Santa Fe on time, and they picked up Pipe’s Challenger in long-term parking and were on their way to The Refuge without any delays. Cora was quiet, most likely nervous. She sat in the back seat and let him and Owl talk about nothing in particular as they drove.

In contrast, the closer they got to The Refuge, the more settled Pipe felt. He couldn’t wait for Cora to meet his friends. He had no doubt whatsoever that she’d fit in perfectly.