Page 20 of Devotion

There’s a moment where hurt crosses her face, confirming what I’ve suspected about her lately. She’s misunderstood our time together, taken my frequent dealings with her to mean she’s got some sort of claim laid over me, but she’s wrong. I’ve recently decided that I only belong to one woman, and one woman only.

Aria quickly gets to her feet, and I don’t miss how she glances toward the screen again, studying Layla as she turns onto her side, already falling asleep. When Aria’s eyes flash toward me again, I can read the questions she knows better than to ask out loud.

She leaves in silence, and something will definitely have to be done about her attitude. But right now, all I want to do is forget she was ever here as I watch my dark angel sleep.

The plan was to return to my room when I finished here, but when I sink deeper into my seat, propping both feet on the desk, it becomes apparent that I don’t intend to leave. Imagining the warmth of Layla’s skin against mine, I fold both arms across my chest and let my head slump in the crook of my shoulder.

The last image I have before succumbing to sleep is her—safe, perfect.

Tonight is the first we’ll spend together, but it won’t be the last. I’m not known for being a patient man, which means I’ll only be able to stand this distance for so long.

In the meantime, I’ve got plenty to keep me busy. Mostly, in the days to come, I’ll be preparing Layla’s next gift. These things take time, they take planning, and with any luck, she’ll catch the details and know… this one’s just for her.

9

Layla

My work phone startles me awake, and I gasp. There’s a nasty crick in my neck, and my back’s stiff as a board. Happens every time I accidentally fall asleep working at my desk, so I should’ve known better. But calls ran late last night, and I guess I was more exhausted than I realized.

It takes a second, but I eventually find my phone behind a bowl of baby carrots.

“Yes. Hello?”

“Hey, sorry to bug you, kiddo. We’ve got another one.”

It takes my tired mind a second to catch Seargent Mack’s voice, and another to realize he’s interrupting yet another night’s sleep to photograph a crime scene.

“On my fucking day off?” I grumble, realizing too late that I said out loud what I meant to only say in my head.

“Well, my apologies for disrupting your beauty rest, Princess, butnoneof us are exactly happy to be here. But you signed up for this, right? Right. So, get your ass down here. ASAP.”

He hangs up, then a moment later, I’m receiving an address via text. I drop the phone to the desk and give it both middle fingers as I snarl at the screen.

Asshole.

I lift my hand to my hair, only to realize I’m still wearing mywork hat.Setting the gold, glittering contraption aside, I force myself out of the chair, feeling my bones and muscles protest with every movement. Regret doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel about falling asleep in such a wonky position, but I’m guaranteed to do it again at least once next month.

I wash my face, toss on a pair of jeans, then a blazer, thinking that should dress things up a bit. After gathering my hair into a bun, I head out, making the drive from my house to the other side of town half asleep.

The moment I step inside the residence where the latest victim’s been found, I spot Mack, Martinez, and Stevens discussing the case beside the staircase. And based on the dirty look Mack’s just aimed my way, I’m guessing he’s still a little pissed about my comment before our call ended.

Too bad. I’m too tired to give a shit.

A small sigh leaves me when I spot Martinez walking over, not understanding the smirk on his face. But then he points, and I follow his gaze down to my chest.

“Long night?” he teases, staring at the crystal ball on the t-shirt I forgot to change out of.

I button my blazer, choosing to ignore his question in favor of asking one of my own. “What details have you guys sorted out so far?”

He seems disappointed that I’m not laughing with him when he shrugs, then begins walking me toward the body.

“Well, we got the tip the same way we get all the others—an anonymous male caller we can safely assume to be our guy. The Cyber Crimes Division is working on getting us info on the caller’s location, but we all know they won’t come up with shit. Whoever this dickwad is, he’s always got his bases covered, always one step ahead.”

“Or… maybe he doesn’t work alone?”

Martinez shrugs. “Maybe, but either way, he keeps winning. Over and over again.”

We walk toward the body, and I’ve already got my camera strapped around my neck, ready to go. He steps back and lets me work, silently observing while I snap photo after photo of the victim, her surroundings.

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