Page 120 of Reckless Devotion

I sit in stunned silence, only the soft sound of his wall clock ticking away to fill the charged air between us. “You framed him for my crimes?”

He nods and I swallow roughly.

“But you don’t cross lines like that.”

He lifts one shoulder in a shrug and then lets it drop. “I’d cross any line I needed to keep you safe.”

Tears fill my eyes and I inwardly groan, because all I’ve done for the past few days is bawl and I’m sick of it.

“You put yourself at risk for me.”

“You’re worth it.” He drags one corner of his mouth up in a halfhearted attempt at a smile. “But you have to promise me one thing.”

“Anything.”

“This Incognito stuff, it’s done.”

I nod, swiping at my eyes before the tears can fall and looking back at the screen with Rénir’s face, feeling it sink in that the man who has tormented me for years is finally going to be behind bars. Something glows in my chest, the tiny little jagged pieces of my heart leaping back together and fusing.

It’s over. It’s finally fucking over.

“Agreed,” I state firmly, taking my first free breath in over ten years.

Chapter 43

Mia Walker added Pepper Quinn to the chat.

Mia:Welcome home jailbird. You had us worried there!

Pepper:Thank you so much for helping Chase get guardianship. Words cannot express how grateful I am.

Mia:Don’t mention it! That’s what family does.

Pepper:As someone who doesn’t really have family, that sounds pretty great.

Emily:I don’t know if anyone has told you this, but my brother loving you means that you’re automatically inaugurated as a full family member. Sunny too.

Chloe:And there is absolutely nothing you can do about it (evil laugh).

Chloe:P.S. Did you get any new cool jail tattoos?

Pepper:Only a spider web across my throat and a cross below my eye.

Chloe:Wait, you’re joking right?

Chloe:Guys, is she joking???

Chloe:Where did everyone go?

PEPPER

I moan as Chase slides his tongue slowly against my clit, stomach clenching and legs shivering.

“Oh god, I can’t take any more,” I pant, gripping the bedcovers in my hands.

Chase’s head appears from beneath the covers, a wicked grin on his face. “We both know that you’re lying.”

Every limb feels limp, spent, and wonderfully satiated after the five rip-roaring orgasms he’s given me since we got back to his place. The sheets across his huge bed are all tangled, half hanging off.