Page 48 of Wicked Devotions: Part 2

“No which almost worries me even more. We checked for new cameras but didn’t find any.”

“Check the cameras you have set up to make sure they didn’t set up a network to spy through them.”

He nods. “We’re already on it. I just wanted to let you know, so you can pass the word along. I don’t think it’s worth telling the girls and getting them all worked up.”

I don’t particularly like not telling Harper everything. I feel like she has a right to know what we’re dealing with, but for now I let it go. We’re away to support Declan and Emerson, I don’t want to spoil the weekend for her. Once I fill in the guys, we’ll tell her together.

We walk back out to our seats right as the match is starting. I’m going to miss watching Emerson run around the pitch in his kit. The thighs on him are a work of art. I should take a few photos from today and paint them to give to him as a Christmas gift.

When I look over at Harper, she’s watching the game intently. Her eyes following the ball but also staying attuned to where the guys are on the field. Declan gets fouled, and she shoots from her seat yelling. Much to my surprise Banks joins in her outrage, both of them stay standing until Declan gets up.

I see him look over at us as he stands. He gives us a small wave to let us know he’s good, and then he’s right back in the game. He gets a free kick for that foul and scores with a shot right into the top corner of the net, right above the goalkeeper's hands.

We all shoot to our feet cheering and giving high fives. I do a double take when I notice Annabelle not only hugging Cillian,but also her bodyguard. That’s interesting. Cillian doesn’t even seem to care because he just watches it happen with a mild look on his face.

Emerson and Declan are already back in position for the game to continue, no celebrating until they win. As the match continues, the opposing team scores right before half time. Felix stays with Annabelle and Harper when they go up to use the restroom, so I take the opportunity to scoot over and fill Banks in on everything Cillian told me.

“Do you think they’re going to try to break into your place next?” he asks when I finish.

“We have security cameras all over and alarms on every point of entry, it’d be very hard to break in.”

“I wonder what they were looking for.”

“Who the fuck knows. I just want this guy or guys found so Harper can move on with her life. She doesn’t deserve this after all she’s been through.”

“I know. I never liked Scott; he always made my skin crawl with his good ol’ boy preacher facade.”

“Did he ever do anything to either of them in front of you?” Cillian asks.

“No.” Banks looks up at him. “I saw him yell at Harper a couple times early on, but he never unleashed on them when I was around. It’s one of the reasons I always tried to be around. I honestly had no idea that Annabelle was being abused the way she was.”

He glances up and sees them walking back down to us. We all stop talking and make room for the girls to come back to their seats in the middle. Cillian tells us after the game he wants to take us all out for dinner to someplace that Annabelle got reservations for.

As the second half begins, it’s clear that Trinity has this in the bag. Declan scores another goal and has an assist for the goalthat Emerson scores. The final goal comes from one of the other guys on their team scoring off a header. As the buzzer sounds, the team floods center field, confetti dropping from the ceiling of the dome the championship is being played in.

Emerson and Declan embrace each other before a bunch of the guys, Declan included, lift Emerson onto their shoulders and begin chanting. A few of the other seniors on the team are lifted into the air to join him as they celebrate this last win.

Harper, Banks, and I go down onto the field to celebrate with them. Declan sees us first and swoops down to grab Harper, spinning her in a hug with a huge smile across his face. Emerson pulls me into a sweaty hug.

“You can congratulate me later. In bed,” he says into my ear.

Fuck yeah.

I’m not going to argue with that.

Chapter

Eighteen

HARPER

When the guys said the yacht we’d be on was nice, I had assumed it would have a few bedrooms and a shared bath. I didn’t realize it would have multiple levels, a hot tub, a fire pit, indoor and outdoor living and dining rooms. Somehow the staff of twelve manage to make sure our every whim and need is fulfilled while staying discreet.

The breeze off the water is chilly, so I’ve been staying mostly in the hot tub, but today is sunny enough that I can lounge on deck in the sun. The heat from the sun seeps into my exposed skin. For the first time in my life, I’m wearing a bikini. The guys are used to seeing my scars now, it’s not a secret anymore. Plus, it feels like a way of sayingscrew youto my father. If he saw me in this tiny purple thong, bikini he’d be livid.

“You’re turning pink,” Emerson says from above me. “Have you put sunscreen on?”

“No.” I honestly didn’t even think of it.

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