Page 17 of Sinister Devotion

"What are you doing here?" I ask him.

He pulls a phone out of his pocket, waving it in front of him. "Fell out of my pocket when you went all kung-fu on me. Just came to pick it up. So how about it?"

"How about what?" I ask him.

"Breakfast, Princess. I know it's early and all, but even the rich and famous need to eat. Wait, I get it, you already ate? Avocado toast, sesame seed something or some other fancy shit that's inedible but pretty to look at?"

I laugh, sliding a lock of hair behind my ear. It brings a smile to his face as he drags his eyes down the line of my neck. "How about dinner?"

The surprise in his eyes isn't shocking, and he takes the hint. "Dinner it is, Princess. Tonight? Eight o' clock?"

I nod. "My name's Claire, Mr. Shaughnessy. Let's make it six."

8

JULIAN

"You fucking fairy! No son of mine?—"

Charleston's voice booms through my nightmares as memories meld with dreams to remind my body of everything he's put it through. My breathing is shallow as I toss and turn in the bedroom my family imploded. There's no amount of remodeling to shield me from knowing how it sounds to have my face smashing against the wall. The blinding flashes of reds and whites with every blow my heavy-handed father deals onto my teenage frame.

My fear and pain of the past jolts me awake mere minutes before my alarm. Sweat drenches my bedding and I'm annoyed at myself for allowing him to disrupt my sleep. We'd left our violence on the floor of this room over two decades ago where I made sure Charleston never struck me again, and my friends kept the remaining Blackwell men out of prison.

With my history haunting my waking moments, I don't want to run into Claire. There's a risk of me lashing out and I decide the best thing for me is to head into work. I can go over Fiona's work to ensure she's back to following orders. After texting Edward to meet me in the garage, I'm not surprised to find him ready to go. His nightmares keep him awake more nights than my own.

In a way I'm lucky. The shit I went through with Charleston only happened over a four-to-five-year period. Edward? His trauma began from the day he was born.

"Long night?" Edward's voice is low as we get into the large SUV.

From the back seat, I glance at him before turning to look out the window. "Too long."

"I can feel it." Edward's solemn words tell me enough. We've been friends for a long time and can sense when the other is having an off day. Our eyes meet in the rearview mirror, "Should I call her?"

"Who?" I ask him.

"Malia." Edward's eyes dart away from mine to refocus on the road.

Shit. I run my fingers through my hair. "Wow, you pulled that card? Do I look that bad?"

He snorts. "You look like Claire's driving you crazy and could use some release. How long has it been?"

"Since my release?" I ask him with a twisted grin.

"Fuck no. Since you've seen her."

"I don't remember. Can she still be reached at the same number?" I ask him.

He nods slowly. "Saw her last week. She asks about you."

"What do you tell her?"

"That work keeps you busy."

I chuckle. "She knows that's bull."

"She does. I was told to tell you to bring in the woman keeping you out of her dungeon."

"For fuck's sake. That's one hell of a way to get Claire out of my life for good. What the hell, Edward?"

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