Page 54 of Wicked Devotions

“Good. You smell.” It’s a lie that he recognizes.

“You love it.”

I do, but I keep that fact to myself. As I put everything away, I hear the sound of tires on the driveway. Declan and Harper come walking through the door a minute later. Her hands are full of shopping bags, and he’s carrying both their suitcases.

“Hi,” she says with a bright smile. She looks happier and lighter than I’ve seen her.

“Good flight?” I ask, smiling back at her.

“Little scary at first, but he seems to know what he’s doing. I’m going to take this stuff upstairs. Were you about to make dinner? I can help.”

“Sure. Here.” I walk around the island to grab the bags from her. “I’ll carry these up for you.”

We all make our way upstairs and into her room. Declan was leading the way but stopped short just before walking all the way in. I bump into his back, about to make a joke when I notice a knife embedded into her mattress with a letter lying beside it. It’s identical to the last one.

“What the heck, guys. You make a better wall than a doorway.”

I turn to try to block her view but I’m too late. I watch helplessly as all the blood drains from her face. She drops the bag she was carrying and pushes me to the side when I try to block her again. When I look over at Declan, his jaw is tense, and his expression is hardened.

Harper walks over to the bed and grabs the letter. She opens it, her eyes skimming each line. Wordlessly, she hands it over to me, probably avoiding Declan as he looks like he could commit murder at the drop of a hat right now.

I flip it open and read the message.

Darling Harper,

I do not approve of what you’ve been doing. No wife of mine will be whoring herself out before our wedding. Stop now or risk the consequences.

Harper goesto pull the knife free, but Declan stops her. “Don’t touch it. I’ll put it in a bag to test for fingerprints.”

“Oh.” She looks between us. “That’s a good idea. Should we call the police now?”

“I’m going to call someone better.” Declan already has his phone out and is stepping into the hall. I barely hear him greet his cousin before he shuts his bedroom door.

Harper looks up at me, and I can see how hard she’s trying not to show fear. I open my arms to her, inviting her in for a hug if she wants. Without hesitation, she lets me wrap her up in the comfort of my embrace.

“What kind of creep does this?” she mumbles against my chest. “And why does he think we’re getting married?”

“Did your father ever say anything about youmarrying someone from the church? Maybe one of his associates?”

“No.” She pulls back and shakes her head. “But he wouldn’t have consulted me anyway. If he was planning something, he’d just spring it on me last minute.”

“Sawyer, Nolan, and Lake are coming down first thing tomorrow.” Declan slides his phone in his pocket as he walks back in. “They said to leave the room exactly how we found it.”

“Where am I going to sleep?”

“My room.” Declan’s tone brooks no argument.

“I’m going to call Banks,” she says as she warily looks between us.

We grab her bags and carry them into Declan’s room. I can hear her voice carrying as she paces at the bottom of the stairs. Declan’s eyes are full of turmoil.

“Did you notice anything weird around here this weekend?” he asks.

“No. I was on campus most of yesterday, but nothing was out of place when I got home. Then today I’ve been locked away in my room. I did have music playing, so maybe I wouldn’t have heard someone if they came in. It just feels so bold to walk in here and do that.”

“Bold to do what?” Cyrus asks as he joins us.

“Harper got another letter.”

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