Page 31 of Reckless Devotion

Sunny: 4.23PM

Pepper: 6.46PM

The log continues in this way, detailing mine and Sunny’s arrival and departure times for weeks. No doubt this is part of some scheme to get us ousted from the building, although god knows what wrongdoing this could evidence. We’re allowed to come and go anytime we damn well please.

“This explains why he's always hanging around in the hallway when we’re there.” I cast the notepad back down, a niggling feeling weighting my belly. “If we look hard enough, there will be a voodoo doll with pink hair and pins stuck into every limb around here somewhere.”

“Oh good, saves me from having to make my own.”

Say what you want about the guy, but he is rather witty. He has a cuttingly dry humor that seems to tumble out naturally. In another life, we might even have been friends. I hate myself for noticing that, too. Just like the way I hate noticing the small freckle below his lip and the way his nose scrunches a touch when he laughs.

“I’m not sure how I feel about you wanting a doll that resembles me.” I pull out a drawer in the bureau just for something to do, and see haphazard pens sprawled inside, the old-fashioned kind that take an ink cartridge.

“The kind you’re thinking of wouldn’t do well at all with pins, Peppercorn.” Another quick retort makes its way across the room from where he opens a door. “Now, are you just going tostand there, or are going to get the bits you offered to for Mr. Clay?”

I scoff, making my way across the room. “I didn’t offer, you volun-told me.”

“Oh yeah, I did, didn’t I?” He takes a faux moment to contemplate this, and then plucks me into the room by my arm. I take in the drab bedroom, with plain grey sheets and net curtains draped across the window.

“Be a doll and go through his closet, will you?” Chase guides me gently toward the door hanging crooked, peeking through to a long row of hangers, while fishing his phone out of his pocket and beginning to fire off one-handed texts.

“I’m going to stuff you inside it and duct tape your mouth shut in a minute,” I grumble, flipping through a pile of neatly folded shirts.

“What was that?”

“Nothing,” I sing-song innocently, beginning to drag out items.

Chapter 13

Chase:Is that what I think it is?

Pepper:A dart board with your face on it? Yes, yes it is.

Chase:Why would you send me a picture of that?

Pepper:Just wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you.

Pepper:*Whilst throwing darts at your nose*

Chase:If you want me to participate in a little stress relief, all you have to do is ask.

Pepper:I would rather dig out an ingrown hair with a marshmallow rope.

Chase:I’m not sure who that’s meaner to, me or the marshmallow.

CHASE

“My darling brother.” I grin as Mason catches sight of me walking into the cavernous living space of his high-rise penthouse and gives me his signature steely glare.

“I see you came equipped, as always.” Mia beams, skipping over to pluck the magnum of champagne out of my hand.

“Something tells me I’ll need it.” I wink, pulling her into a one-armed hug.

“You’re late,” Mason grumbles, knocking back the contents of his crystal tumbler.

“Nice to see you too, Mace,” I drawl as I jerk my head up in greeting to Zeke at his side.

Mason lets out a deep rumble and turns to fix himself another drink. I watch for a second, seeing so many of my own features in his stony face. So many memories. So many disappointments. He’s familiar and distant all at once. A kernel of resentment flares, but the sound of Mia unwrapping the foil covering the cork draws me away from my inner brooding.