Page 30 of Wicked Devotions: Part 2

“That actually makes me want to, though.” He and I might have found a middle ground, but he still pisses me off on a regular basis.

“No poking the bear at my expense.” She holds out a pinky. “Promise.”

“I promise to do my best.” I hook my pinky around hers and shake on it. I know I’m going to have to deal with flared tempers, but hopefully they’ll be open to seeing things from my perspective. “Speaking of your unbearable stepbrother, where is he? I’m surprised he let you out of his sight.”

“He and Emerson are in North Carolina for a game today. They’ll be back tomorrow morning.”

“Cyrus is here?”

“Yes. Although he mentioned needing to run out and do something for his uncle tonight. It’ll just be us for the most part.”

As I walk into the foyer behind her, he comes down the stairs while tying his hair up in a bun on top of his head. He gives me a nod in greeting but then smiles at Harper. I see it in the way he looks at her, he loves her. It makes my chest loosen knowing that she has him always looking out for her.

Declan, too, for that matter. I’ve known forever that he’s been obsessed with her, long before she even acknowledged him. We weren’t around him too much back home since he went to a private catholic school, and we were public school kids, but being members of the same country club meant regularly running into each other outside of school.

I wish I didn’t have to drop my bomb of an idea on them all right before I leave tomorrow, but it can’t be helped. After what her father said and the content of the threats she gets, I think it’s the course of action that makes the most sense. Even if it means completely upending my life. I’m so serious about it that I’ve spoken to my parents, and they’re cautiously on board.

“When do you have to leave?” she asks Cyrus. “Do you have time to get dinner with us?”

He checks the time on his phone and frowns. “I don’t. I’m sorry.” His attention turns to me. “Do you know all the security codes? And not to leave her alone if you’re out of the house?”

“Yeah. No one’s going to bother her with me around.” That’s a fucking promise. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her safe and happy. “Declan sent me everything I need to know for security at the house, too.”

“I could tell you, too, you know?” She rolls her eyes. “Believe it or not I’ve kept myself safe for nineteen years on my own. I am capable of taking care of myself.”

“I know.” Cyrus pulls her into a hug. “Extra sets of eyes and muscles don’t hurt though.”

“Maybe you’re the one who needs extra help and protection.” She peers up at him. “I’ll stay up since Emerson isn’t here.”

They share an intense, quiet look. Cyrus lifts his palms to her cheeks and whispers something in a language I’ve never heard before. She raises onto her tiptoes and presses a kiss to his lips. I watch as a test for myself.

Does it make me uncomfortable to see this?

No.

Am I jealous?

Definitely not.

If anything, it makes me happy to see the tenderness between them. Knowing how much she’s cared for eases my worry for herwhen I’m hours away in Georgia. It feels right to bear witness to them together.

I take my bags and make my way upstairs to Harper’s room. The door is still off the hinges, and I have to stifle a laugh at how over the top it was for Declan to do that. Not that it’s surprising.

“Is this going to be a problem for you? Sleeping without a door?” Harper asks. “I don’t know where the key to unlock the storage room is, otherwise, I would have figured out how to put it on myself by now.”

“No, it’s fine.” I turn and open my arms for another hug. “I’m just happy to not have to sleep in a twin size bed for a night.”

“You’d think they’d give athletes extra big beds so you could sleep better.”

“I bet the football team gets them.”

“Jerks.” She growls playfully. “What do you want to do tonight? My friend Emilia works at a restaurant in town I’ve been wanting to check out.”

“That sounds great. I’m excited to meet some of your friends here.”

Declan did a background check on Emilia at the beginning of the year. He didn’t tell Harper, but he did tell me that there weren’t any red flags that came up when he looked into her. I’m not sure why he told me, maybe the growing respect we have for each other and our feelings for Harper.

I anticipate that my news will cause a back slide in the progress we’ve made, but I don’t have it in me to truly care. He can hate me all he wants. At the end of the day, we both just want her to be safe.

---