Page 76 of Wicked Devotions

“It’s fine. At least I have more time todedicate to finding this son of a bitch now.” He sighs. “I’m surprised Harper didn’t call and tell you.”

“She knows my schedule.” We usually talk between the end of her classes and before my afternoon practice, then again before we go to bed. “Plus, my first meet is coming up this weekend, she probably didn’t want me to worry. But I’m glad you told me,” I add quickly.

I am so grateful. If I know Harper as well as I think I do, she wouldn’t mention it until Sunday. Just to make sure my mind is on the pool and not on something I can’t control. Not that I can’t compartmentalize, I can. It’s just in her nature to keep things to herself until it’s convenient for other people.

“Do you have to travel with your team?” I ask, an idea taking root in the back of my mind.

“Not while I’m benched.” He pauses. “Why?”

“You could bring Harper here to be at my meet. It would get her out of town and off this asshole’s radar for a couple days.”

“That’s a good point. He can’t follow us if I fly, either.”

“Exactly.”

We make plans for the weekend, including what time I’ll pick them up tonight. Then he sends me a photo of the letter that she received last night. Myblood boils as I read the words. How does he feel so entitled to her? I’ve been her boyfriend foryears.If anyone should expect to marry her, it’s me.

She’s mine.

Over my dead body will anyone ever hurt a hair on her head. She’s too good for this world, too pure-hearted and understanding. The way that she never balked when I confessed my sexuality to her, even when she had no idea what I was talking about. It’s rare. She’s rare. I’m going to protect her in any way possible.

As soon asHarper’s feet touch the pavement, she’s running to me with her arms open for a hug. I lean down and scoop her up, twirling her in the air. Nothing feels as good as her hugs, they’ve always been my favorite.

I look over her shoulder as Declan comes sauntering up behind her. His jaw ticks as he watches us. He’s able to push his possessiveness aside though as he gives me a nod of greeting before grabbing their bags out of the back of his plane.

“Should you be walking on your foot?” I ask, noticing a slight change in his gait.

“No, he should not be.” Harper steps out of my arms and heads right for him. “If you pull your stitches, you’ll be out even longer.”

I walk over and grab both their bags while she shoves a pair of crutches in his direction. He tries to pull his bag from me, but I sidestep his attempt. “I’ve got it. Do you need me to do anything with the plane?”

“No.” He nods his head toward a small building about a hundred yards away. “I rented a spot in one of the secured hangers. The ground crew will take care of it for us.”

I lead them over to my car and toss their bags in the trunk. To my surprise Declan takes the backseat, leaving the front open for Harper. As soon as I pull out of the lot, I reach over and grab her hand.

I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be living away from her like this. Even if she was still back in Briarwood Bay instead of Trinity, we’d be a couple hours away from each other. But it’d be easier than it is now for her to get away to come see me.

My dorm room consists of a common living room with a small kitchenette, one shared bathroom, and two small bedrooms. I give Harper and Declan a little tour, which she loves. He, on the otherhand, is less than impressed. Rich asshole is shining through today.

“Declan, you’ll take the couch.” I point to the corner of the living room. “It’s a pullout, and I’ll get you all the extra bedding we have.”

He looks at Harper with an irritated scowl. “The only kind of pullout I do is?—”

She leaps across the room and covers his mouth. “Don’t finish that sentence.”

I can see his eyes crinkle in the corners right before she squeals and drops her hand. He doubles over laughing at her. It’s the first time I’ve seen him laugh like this. He looks young and carefree. I love seeing that reflected back in her expression.

“Gross.” She wipes her hand on her shorts. “He licked me.”

“That’s not what you said last night.”

I’m torn between my discomfort at anything and everything sexual and wanting to laugh at the shade of pink Harper turns. She turns and disappears into my room where she’ll be sleeping. He looks at me and shrugs while smirking.

“Just so you know, my roommate knows you are her stepbrother, so just keep that in mind.”

I walk into my room and close the door behind me, so we can talk for a few minutes alone. I need totalk to her about the latest letter. She might be thinking about things from a different lens than Declan was.

“How are you after everything that happened?” I sit down in my desk chair.

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