“How did you know he was here?” I ask with a sigh.
“Because my phone stopped blowing up with his apology texts and voicemails. Figured you had finally found him.”
“Ah, that makes sense,” I say as I narrow my eyes at the bastard in question. At least he’s sorry and has been apologizing for screwing over his own sister. Jetta hasn’t forgiven him yet, but I know she will eventually because she’s too amazing and kind to hold a grudge. “I love you,” I say sweetly since I assume I’m in trouble.
“I know you do. Which is why you’re not going to harm a single hair on my brother’s head.”
“Too late,” I admit with a wince.
“Devlin!”
“Only his hair has been harmed!” I assure her in a rush. “It’ll all grow back and then you can even it up for him.”
“You promise?”
“Yes. He’s a dickhead piece of shit, but he’s still your brother, luckily for him…”
“Good. So send him on his way and come home.”
“Stay naked. I’ll be there in ten,” I assure her before ending the call. “Well, it’s your lucky day, punk,” I tell Sean when I walk over to him and wrap my fingers around his throat. “If I didn’t love Jetta, you would be bloated and floating in the ocean right now. And I’m warning you, if you ever do anything to hurt her again in any way, shape or form, I will cut away at you with the sheers, one little piece of skin at a time until your heart gives out. Understand me?”
Sean nods his goofy-looking head since he can’t speak until I finally let him go.
“Dye his hair and then let him go,” I tell Silas. Pointing my finger at Sean I warn him, “As penance, you’re going to keep the ugly fucking haircut until Jetta forgives you, even if it takes years.”
“Fine,” he mutters with a huff.
“Can I at least beat his ass before we cut him loose?” Silas questions as I start for the basement stairs.
“No, don’t hurt him,” I say while enthusiastically nodding my head yes and giving a thumbs up that Sean can’t see. He hasn’t been punished enough yet for my liking.
Sure, Jetta might be pissed at me if she sees his bruises, but the best part is, I highly doubt she’ll be speaking to him again before they all heal.
Jetta
* * *
As soon as I step into Devlin’s apartment, I quickly pour some ice into a big cup and take it with me to the bedroom, stripping off my clothes as I go to cover for my slight exaggeration.
It would be silly to think that Devlin wouldn’t inflict some amount of pain on Sean after what he pulled on me along with the dangerous situation he put all of the Dirty Aces into. And I’m not opposed to a little pain, because yeah, I’m angry at him…but mostly, I’m hurt.
I thought my brother loved me and would do anything for me because he’s the only family I have still around. Turns out he’s a selfish twat. One of these days I’ll try to forgive him and be there while he gets help for his gambling addiction. It’s what sisters and brothers do. We fight, we hurt each other, and then we make up. Although, I doubt there are many other siblings who would whore out their sisters for a night…
I shake those thoughts from my head for now, looking forward to spending my afternoon with Devlin, who is usually busy working on a construction site while I’m working my normal shift at the water park.
Even though I’ve been searching for a better position, I haven’t had any luck, so I still put on the silly bikini every day and sit in my chair to watch over the guests enjoying the day with their family and friends.
Other than my job, I couldn’t be happier. Dev gives me the best reason to get up in the morning from the bed we’ve been sharing for the past week. And honestly, I can’t believe I waited so long to have an overnight sleepover with him.
After all he and his brothers did to save me, I’ll never doubt his feelings again. I was the one who was scared of commitment, putting myself out there and getting hurt by someone I love. Not Dev.
The front door of his apartment opens and quickly closes. “Baby, I’m home! Are you really here?” Devlin calls out before he appears in the bedroom doorway. “Goddamn, I’m a lucky man,” he says when he sees me stretched out in his bed without a shred of clothing on. “I thought you were bullshitting me and were still at work.”
“I would never deceive you like that,” I tell him straight-faced.
Shrugging off his leather cut, he says, “You just got here, didn’t you?”
“Yes. But I made it before you!”
He laughs while yanking his shirt over his head.
“And I’m the one who is lucky,” I say as I take in his muscular chest and arms down to his amazing abs.
Dev’s hands on the front of his pants freeze before he undoes them. “Hold on. I’ve got something for you,” he says. Turning around, he goes over to his closet and retrieves a wrapped box from the top shelf, a place I could never dream of reaching without a stepladder.
“It’s not my birthday,” I remark.
“I know.”
“So what’s the occasion?” I ask.
“The occasion is I’m sorry your brother fucked you over.” Sitting the black gift-wrapped box with a bright yellow ribbon in front of me, he says, “Here’s something to help you try and forget.”
“Okay…” I say as I pull the end of the ribbon to untie it and then lift the top of the box. Inside, there’s tissue paper that I peel back to reveal…an envelope addressed to me from the Cosmetology School of Wilmington that’s already been opened. “What’s this?” I ask as I remove the letter inside and read it. “I’ve been accepted?” I gasp. “But I never applied!”
“I saw that school pulled up on your laptop, so I applied for you and already paid the tuition,” Devlin explains when he kneels on the bed beside me in his jeans. Wincing, he adds, “No refunds, so I really hope it’s what you wanted.”
“That’s…incredibly sweet of you,” I tell him. “But it’s not as easy as just paying the tuition! I have to pay Sean my half of the rent and utilities or get a place of my own and pay full rent and utilities. Not to mention health insurance and groceries…”
“I’ve already talked to Sean, and he’s going to cover those extra costs until you graduate as part of his apology, unless you decide to stay with me at no cost,” Devlin explains. “So you’re out of excuses. It’s time for you to finally pursue your dream.”
“But…what if I suck at it?” I whisper.
“You won’t suck at it! Have you seen yourself in the mirror?” Reaching over, he runs his fingers through the side of my hair that’s still blue, green and purple. “You have the most beautiful hair of any person I’ve ever seen, baby. You can do this. I know you can.”
“You really think so?” I ask as tears well up in my eyes, making Devlin all blurry.
“I really do, or I wouldn’t have spent the money on it.”
“How much?” I ask with a cringe.