Page 3 of Wicked Devotions: Part 2

“Possibly home to Annabelle. They weren’t what I would call close since they both were trying to survive and protect each other, but she might want that comfort.”

“I have to call my dad anyway, so I’ll ask if she’s reached out to them.”

“Do you have any idea what time she left your house?” he asks.

“No. I didn’t even hear her get up. How did you find out about the video so fast?”

“Morning practice. One of the guys came over to show me and ask if that was my girlfriend banging her brother.”

A growl rumbles in my throat. “I’m not her fucking brother. Who was it?”

“Don’t fucking worry about, I took care of him.” He sighs heavily. “I’m going to stay at my dorm all day and see if she shows up.”

“Text me immediately, and I’ll come get her.”

“Okay.”

I consider apologizing for bringing this mess to his doorstep, but I’m not a liar. I’m not sorry. We just have to find her and then figure out who sent that video out.

Could it have been her stalker? Did he follow us to the field? Or was it someone from the party who just happened to see and decided to make a quick buck off us? Doesn’t really matter at the end of the day, because whoever did this is going to find themselves at the other end of my fist.

Dread fills my chest as I pull up Dad’s contact information. I don’t know what he’s going to think about what we did last night. He might not even mention that aspect of this. The phone rings, and I hear him pick up, but he doesn’t speak.

“Dad?”

“Yes.” I can tell by his tone that he’s seen the news. “I’ve already spoken with Sawyer. NNC is wiping the stories from all their affiliate stations and media sites.”

“Yeah, he was my first call.”

“How’s Harper?”

I drag a breath through my teeth. “She’s missing, and from the vomit in the sink and her phone on the floor, I’d say she’s not doing well.”

“Where did she go?”

“She took Cy’s bike, and Banks is fairly certain she’s probably heading to see him. But in the meantime, Cy and Emerson are running the trail that she usually takes when she goes for a jog.”

“Fuck.” His chair creaks which means he’s at home in his office. “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to tell Annabelle that my son and his two best friends fucked her daughter in the middle of the woods and didn’t have enough common sense to make sure no one was around to capture the scene.”

“Can’t you tell her it was AI generated? Just feed her the same lie we’ll push out to the media.”

“No. I’m not going to lie to my wife about her daughter.”

The way he saidmy wifehas my eyebrows climbing up my forehead. “Okay, sorry,” I mumble.

“These two women have lived a literal nightmare. The things that bastard did to Annabelle and Harper—” he stops and drags in a breath. “It’s our job to protect them now. I know you have feelings for Harper, and I’m not going to get involved in your relationship, but if you don’t lock yourselves down and keep her protected, I’ll bring her back under my roof where I know I can. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m going to talk to Annabelle and see if she has any ideas of where Harper could be. Keep me informed if you hear from her.”

“Yeah, I will.”

“Bye, son.”

“Later.”

It takes everything inside me not to throw my phone against the wall. I’m so mad at myself. I’m so worried for Harper. And when I find out who fucking took that video, they’ll be unrecognizable when I’m done with them.

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