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Devon shook her head. “God, you’re so full of shit.”
Raini sat beside Devon. “What sounds better to you—dead and proud, or alive and chafing at the bit? Because I’d go for door number two, in your shoes.”
Harper moved closer. “When I was bristling over Knox assigning me a bodyguard, you said it didn’t make me weak to have people looking out for my safety, Devon. You said it made me smart. Well, right back atcha, Clarke.”
Devon looked at the three girls carefully. “You guys haven’t ganged up on me this way since we were eleven and I refused to lie that Khloë dumped Gary Ford when it was the other way around.”
Khloë gasped. “I can’t believe you pulled that out of the vault.”
“Who’s Gary Ford?” Keenan asked, but he was ignored.
With a mock sigh, Tanner stepped forward. “Look, kitten, I know it’s a struggle for you to deal with the undying love you feel for me and the close proximity only makes it harder, but what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”
Devon glared at him. “Honestly, sometimes it’s like your brain takes a laxative or something.”
Tanner chuckled, and his hound let out an amused chuff. She was far too easy to rile, which he couldn’t help but enjoy. “You’re not dumb, kitten, you know you can’t go back to your apartment until it’s been cleaned. And since someone managed to get past your protective wards, you can’t claim that you’d be safe there.”
Levi’s mind touched his. I’m thinking that Eleanor could have been the one who wrecked her apartment.
Yeah, I had that same thought, said Tanner, but it wasn’t something he’d mention to Devon until he knew for sure.
“I think it would be best if you stayed here until all this is over,” Gertie said to her. “Or at least for a few days. Please, Devon? It’ll give me peace of mind. Or if you won’t stay here, come home with me and—”
“No,” said Devon. “I can’t go with you.”
Gertie squeezed her hand. “Then do one thing for me and stay here.”
Devon sighed. “What about rent money? I can’t afford—”
“Your time here will be free,” Knox told her. “Don’t argue. This is a safety measure. I won’t take your money, so there’s no sense in putting up a protest.”
“If you’re really going to refuse to stay with anyone for fear that the danger dogging your heels will clip theirs, this is your best option,” said Harper. “Believe me, I know it’s hard to accept the protection of others. Having a bodyguard claws at my ego from time to time. And I get how important your independence is to you, but you have to admit that Tanner’s come in handy a few times.”
“And he’s pretty to look at, which is always a plus,” Khloë pointed out.
Keenan’s expression hardened as he stared at the imp. “Is he now?”
Khloë tossed him yet another frown. “What is with you today? You’re all snippy and snarly. Like a lion with a thorn in its paw.”
Keenan scowled. “I’m not snippy or snarly.”
Khloë put her hands on her hips. “All I heard was grr, argh, grr, I’m a raging alcoholic with an oversized cock, grr.”
Raini groaned and buried her face in her hands.
A muscle in Keenan’s cheek jumped slightly. “I’m not an alcoholic.”
“Dude, you drink vodka like it’s water and carry a flask of it around with you wherever you go,” said Khloë. “Tell me how that’s normal.”
Larkin smoothly stepped between them. “Anyway … yeah, Devon, I think you’d be better off staying in this building for a little while. You can’t deny that you’d sleep better with such top-notch security.”
“I’d sleep better knowing you were here.” Gertie squeezed her hand again. “Please, Devon?”
Closing her eyes, Devon tipped her head back and let out an annoyed groan. “Fine.”
Tanner’s voice flowed into her mind. Right decision, kitten. She chose to ignore him.
The others stayed long enough for Hunter to whip her up some risotto while they tried theorizing on where Lockwood could be or who might be able to point them in the right direction, but the conversation didn’t amount to much.
Advising her to rest, people filed out of the apartment. Russell lingered long enough to warn Tanner that he’d get better not let Devon be hurt in any way, shape, or form.
Hunter was the last to leave. He kissed her cheek and said, “I plated your risotto—it’s waiting on the kitchen counter for you. Eat. You need to get your strength back.”
She smiled. “Thanks, Hunter.” Then he was gone. And she and Tanner were alone. In his apartment. While she was wearing his shirt.
“You hungry?” he asked.
“I could eat.” She followed him into a large, beautiful kitchen that was all cream gloss and gleaming platinum appliances. “Fancy.”
He took the plate of food from the counter, set it on the kitchen island, and gestured at one of the chairs.
