Page 22 of Wicked Devotions: Part 2

“What?” We all three roar at the same time.

“It’s already settled. The week before fall break, Cillian is taking me to see him. I honestly think he’s behind all the weird letters, so I’m going to confront him.”

A red haze drops over my vision at Dad knowing this but leaving it out of our conversation. I don’t care that he’ll be with her. Scott Flynn is the worst human alive. I’m sure he can hurt her without even trying.

“No.”

She cuts a sharp gaze to me. “Excuse me?”

“I said no. N. O.”

“I hate to break it to you, but I’m an adult. I don’t even have to wait for anyone to go with me. I’m taking your father because he’s an attorney and I trust him not to be a hothead that will just make my dad close up. I want answers, and this is the best way to get them.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

She scoffs at me. “It’s federal prison. I doubt I’ll even be in the same room as him. There’s probably a glass partition between phones or something.”

There could be a brick wall between them, and I’d still worry. From what I can see, his favorite pastime was hurting the women he was supposed to love and protect. The thought of him having access to her to do it again makes me sick.

“Fine.” She can think she’s doing this all she wants. I’ll speak to Dad and convince him to change his mind. In the meantime, we can use it to our advantage by letting her believe we’ve struck a deal.

“That easy?” Her brow furrows as she looks at me confused and suspicious.

Emerson and Cy exchange a look and then both give me a nod. I’m sure they have an idea of what I’m planning. One of the best things about our situation is having the two peoplewho know me best right here with us. We can speak without ever uttering a single word and be on the exact same page. It’s invaluable.

“Declan,”my grandmother calls out my name as I emerge from the stadium.

She envelops me in a hug, her perfume a bittersweet reminder of childhood memories that included the one person I miss most. I hug her back, jarred at how she feels like skin and bones in my arms. Concern swells within me as we let go of each other and I turn to hug my grandfather. The only thing that quells my fear is how they both still have the glow of good health when I release him and step back while they greet Emerson.

“You two look good.” The observation comes with the gruff voice of my grandfather.

“We do our best,” Emerson says.

“Ready for dinner?”

“Always,” I reply.

We settle into the back of their limo, taking every opportunity to stretch our legs out on the drive back to their house. It’s always nice to be around my mom’s side of the family, even if it comes with bittersweet memories. I reach into my pocket, running my fingers over each of the beads of mom’s rosary. A secret smile plays over my lips as eventually my fingers feel the smooth ribbon I stole from Harper the first time we met. Nothing makes more sense than having something from both of the women who have meant the most to me stowed away in my pocket.

Chapter

Eight

HARPER

Guilt swells as I get off the phone with Cillian. He’s just called me to let me know he’s been given permission to take me to visit my father tomorrow. I’ve decided not to tell the guys. They’d just try to stop me, and I refuse to not see this through. Luckily Emerson is spending the weekend up in Connecticut with Declan and his grandparents after their game.

That means it’s just Cy and I this weekend. Something I’m completely okay with, but at the same time, it does nothing to assuage my guilt to just be misleading one of the guys. Especially when it’s the one guy who has been nothing but open and honest with me from the start.

“What do you want to do tonight?” Cy asks.

“Can we go out to see Annie?” I’m not scheduled to work this weekend, so I could just take her out and ride her around the arena for a bit. She always helps me calm down and recenter, which I definitely need.

“Of course.”

“Okay, let me go change. I’ll be right back.”

I bound up the stairs, immediately buoyed by the idea of riding. I grab a pair of black riding pants and a long sleeve turtleneck top. My hair can’t go up yet since I’ll have one of the motorcycle helmets on. By the time I emerge from my closet fully dressed, Cy is sitting on my bed waiting for me.

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