Page 39 of Wicked Devotions: Part 2

Satisfaction fills me at the memory. Violence is something I usually abhor, but watching my dad finally face consequences for his treatment of my mother is something I’ve dreamt about my whole life. I’d happily watch that moment on replay every day.

“So Banks wants to get married so this guy doesn’t think he owns you?”

“Yes.”

“Would you transfer to UGA?”

“No. Banks said he’d transfer here.”

“Isn’t he on scholarship for swimming?”

“Yes.”

“And he’s willing to give that up?”

“Yes.”

Emilia sighs wistfully. “How did you get all the good ones?”

“I have no idea. It’s definitely a huge change for me. Going from feeling so unimportant and unworthy of love to having the four of them care so deeply for me. Honestly, there are times Idon’t even know if I can trust it. Like I’m just waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under me.”

“It’s real.” Saylor crumples her burger wrapper up into a ball and sticks it in the empty bag on the coffee table. “I’ve known these guys since I was a kid. They aren’t fucking around about you or your safety.”

“And if they were,” Lou draws a finger across her throat. “I’m not afraid to take them out.”

“I’m with Lou,” Emilia adds.

“I’m just worried that this could make the guy more unhinged,” Saylor says. “You know what?” She stands and walks over to her purse, pulling out a scarf tied to a padlock. “Take this.”

“What is it?”

“My personal protection. It won’t set off any alarm bells if you have to go through a security check point or anything. People will for sure think it’s weird, but not that I would use it for self-defense.”

The padlock is bigger than one you’d use for a locker or a bike lock. Due to that it’s quite heavy and could probably cause some damage. The cotton scarf is tied in a tight knot around the shackle.

“How do you use it?”

“Just swing it. Aim for the head.”

“Why do you have this?”

“I’m a lesbian in the south who attends a Catholic university. You can’t be too careful.”

“Shouldn’t you keep it then?”

“I’ll make another.”

I look down at the weapon in my hand. The thought of being able to physically defend myself is comforting. Much more than I would have expected, honestly.

“Thank you.”

“Of course. Now, enough talk of stalkers and boys. We’re here to have a fun girls’ night, not lament about shitty men.”

“Deal.”

Chapter

Fifteen

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