Page 14 of Jack's Devotion

"This isn't funny. My daughter is dead."

"Are you sure about that? Really, really sure? I don't feel dead."

"Who is this?" he snaps again, wheeling in a circle.

"I already told you. It's your favorite girl."

His cold blue eyes scan the parking lot so I duck down to ensure he can't see me, though I highly doubt he can from here with four rows of cars between us.

"Madison, is that you?" he hisses into the phone. "If so, this isn't funny. Stop it right this instant and come home."

"Hey, Daddy? I don't feel like your favorite girl. Maybe you're right and I am dead." I pause. "I think I got run off the road. I can't remember. It feels like a long time ago. Doyouremember, Daddy?"

He wheels around again, searching the parking lot. I can't tell if the look on his face is guilt or anger, but it's definitely something. He knows I know what he intended to do to me.Good.

"Boo!" I yell into the phone.

He jumps, practically dropping his phone.

I laugh softly, hanging up on him.

Maybe I'm not so bad at this being a ghost thing. He looks properly terrified right now.

Satisfaction thrums through me. My job here is done. I hope he spends every waking minute of the next week squirming and looking over his shoulder the same damn way I did seven years ago.

I watch him for several long minutes as he paces around, muttering to himself. He calls someone, shouting into thephone. I strain to hear what he's saying but can't make anything out. If I had to guess, I'd say he's probably talking to whoever he hired to run me off the road back then.

I take a quick photo so I have a screenshot with the time in case I need it later, and then I wait for him to stomp inside the building.

Once he's inside, I wait for a few more minutes to give myself a safety net, and then pull out, heading back toward Jack's.

I'm not even halfway there when my actual phone rings.

I glance at the screen, surprised to see Jack's number flashing across the display.

"How did you get my number?" I ask, hitting the button on the dash to answer.

"Now, why would I go and tell all my secrets?"

"Jack," I growl.

"You left it on the island this morning," he says, laughing. "You really need a passcode, baby. Any motherfucker could just pick it up, program in their info, call and harass you…"

"Oh. You mean like you're doing right now?" I smile despite myself. Jack Whitlock is a menace to society. He may also be a menace to my heart.

"This isn't harassment. This is me keeping up with the important shit, Madison."

Yeah, he's definitely going to be a menace to my heart.

"How is the move from the pool house going?"

"I've been busy."

"Doing what?"

"Haunting my father."

"Fucking hell," he growls. "You left the property?"

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