Page 40 of Wicked Devotions: Part 2

EMERSON

“Why don’t you move away from the window and get on a treadmill?” I say to Declan.

He hasn’t moved from that spot since we came up here. His jaw is clenched so tightly I swear I can hear his teeth grinding away at each other. I get that he’s feeling over-protective, I do too, but we’re literally twenty feet from the house.

“I’m good here.”

Cy and I share a look of defeat.

“Well, we should at least talk about fall break.” Cy pats his forehead dry with a towel as he gets off a treadmill. “Everything is good on my end. Should we invite Banks?”

“He has a meet that week.” Declan doesn’t look away from the window. “I already checked with him.”

“Have you thought more about his proposal?” I ask Declan.

“It’s all I think about.”

It’s been a few days since he sat us all down and brought up the idea. Harper continues to wear the ring, which doesn’t bother Cy or me, but I don’t know about Declan. He’s got his walls way up right now, a mask of indifference constantly on his face.

“Are you going to share those thoughts with us?” Cy asks him.

“No.”

“Are you going to share them with Harper?”

He gives us a slight nod. “Have you noticed anyone weird hanging around when you guys are with her?” He glances at Cy since he spends more time with her than either of us.

“No. When we go running together, I rarely see anyone on the trail, and there hasn’t been anyone new in her classes from what I can tell.”

“No one ever bothers her at the barn,” I add. “And I never see anyone I don’t recognize.”

“So it could be someone who was planted in her life prior to us following her.” Declan looks over at us, pulling his gaze from the house for the first time in nearly two hours. “I’m going to call my dad tonight and see if his PI has found anything.”

“Is Annabelle still being harassed?”

“I think so.” His phone chimes with a timer. “Two hours is up.” He pulls open the door and is down the stairs before Cy and I even make it out of the gym.

Cy gives me an exasperated look and follows him down the steps and over to the house while I shut off all the lights and lock up the space. I’m glad the girls came over tonight to give Harper some time without one or more of us lingering around. Regardless of what Declan thinks, she needs friends aside from us.

Lou gives me a hug on her way out of the house followed by Emilia who gives me a wave. The two of them stop between their cars and chat for a bit while Saylor pulls me aside.

“Mom wants to know your plans for Thanksgiving.”

Fuck. I knew I couldn’t put this off any longer.

“I’m going to be out of town this year.”

Saylor’s eyebrows raise. “Where are you going?”

“Greece.”

She throws back her head and laughs. “Can I be there when you tell Mom?”

“I was actually hoping you would be.” Mainly so that she can do it for me.

She sobers and realizes my thoughts before I even have to ask. “No. Absolutely fucking not. No.” She shakes her head. “I’m not telling her.”

“Please?” I press my hands together in front of my chest and give her my best pleading expression.

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