Page 38 of Devon

The problem was that Devon wanted to talk to his friend.Ryan wasn’t sure Devon could call Nic a friend, considering what he’d done, but he was starting to realize that Devon was too good.He’d be willing to give Nic a second and probably a third chance, even though he hadn’t been willing to give himself one.

Hopefully, that was in the past.Devon hadn’t mentioned leaving again, not even when Kendrick had insisted that he and Ryan come back to the house after the fight.Devon had been so focused on what had happened and on making sure that Ryan was okay that he’d barely glanced in Jonas’s direction.

That had been a good thing.Jonas had looked like he wanted to strangle Devon, but Ryan had talked to him since then.Jonas had begrudgingly agreed that Devon hadn’t bothered Kendrick recently and that he seemed to be over his crush.His entire focus had been on Ryan, which was what Ryan had wanted, even though he hadn’t been wounded.

Both he and Devon had made stupid decisions the night of the attack, but they’d come out of it alive and in one piece.Ryan hoped he’d never have to see Parrish again, but something told him that the Kudlak wasn’t done.If anything, being defeated several times by Rowan and the clan had to irritate him.If Ryan had to guess, Parrish would try to get to Rowan time and time again until he either succeeded or died.

Ryan knew which option he’d prefer.

“I don’t think he did it willingly,” Devon insisted.

It wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation.Ryan agreed with Devon, but he was reluctant to admit it.He didn’t want to give Nic any grace.The man had almost caused Devon to be hurt, and Ryan couldn’t stand for that.

“I want to know what happened,” Devon continued.“Once I do, I’ll decide if I want to continue being Nic’s friend.”

“He kissed you, then handed you over to Parrish.Why would you want to continue being his friend?”

Devon narrowed his eyes at Ryan.“Are you going toforbidme to be his friend?”

“Of course not.”Ryan would never forbid Devon to do anything.It wasn’t his place.

Devon looked surprised, but he nodded.“Good.I understand why you’re uncomfortable with this, but Nic isn’t a bad guy.He won’t kiss me again.I told him I didn’t want that from him.”

“It’s not the kiss I’m worried about, Devon.Nic betrayed you.”Ryan wished he could say he thought that Nic had become Devon’s friend because he wanted to, but it was clear that wasn’t the case.Parrish had sent him.Maybe Nic had started to really like Devon after a while, but initially, he’d seen Devon as an opportunity.

Devon didn’t seem to care about that.

They continued walking on the path until they reached the isolated house where Nic was being kept.There had been a bit of a scramble when Clay and Rowan had decided to keep him in the village because they didn’t have a jail or anything that resembled a cell.There hadn’t been a need for one before, and Ryan hoped there wouldn’t be a need in the future, either.Of course, Nic was disproving that.

He’d been locked up in a bedroom in this house, and he was guarded twenty-four-seven.Ryan had found out through Kendrick that Nic also regularly saw a Vila who was taking care of his wounds.

They had Clay and Rowan’s approval to be there, so once they reached the house, they were waved inside.Ryan looked around, curious to see what a house-turned-jail-cell looked like, but there was nothing odd about the place.It was a bit dusty, and it was clear it hadn’t been lived in, but most of the furniture had been uncovered, and the windows were open.

Ryan briefly worried about that, but the sound of a key turning in a lock told him that he shouldn’t be.Nic was locked in his bedroom.He wouldn’t be going anywhere near the open windows.

They went upstairs.They didn’t have to ask anyone which bedroom Nic was in because a Vila was coming out of one of them as they reached the upper floor.He was carrying a tray and looked startled to see them.His blue eyes widened, and for a moment, he looked like he was about to throw the tray at their faces.Ryan recognized him as the Vila who’d helped Nic the night of the attack.

“Clay and Rowan know we’re here,” Devon quickly said.“I’m Devon, and this is Ryan.”

The blond man nodded.“Tamlin.”

“We’re here to talk to Nic.”

“He’s in the bedroom.”

“How is he?”

Tamlin shrugged.“He’s been better, but he’ll live.”

He sounded like he didn’t really care, and Ryan wondered if that was the case.He didn’t think so.

“Can we go in?”Devon asked.

“Be my guest.He’s tied to the bed, so he won’t try anything.”

Devon looked horrified.“Can I untie him?”

“I was going to come back to do it, but sure.”

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