Deven reflected on the thoughts that had been swirling in her mind all night and morning. No matter how much she had looked at it from all different angles, she had settled on the only conclusion that made sense. “I think someone is using Kennedy,” she said. “I think I was right when I said that she’s in too deep with this scam shit. Maybe even trying to get some money from my mom to pay off whatever debts she has incurred. Deuce said she hired him to find a friend and whoever this person is, may be roping my sister into doing some illegal shit. Not sure why, maybe the person has some dirt on Kennedy, maybe it is an abuse situation like I assumed with Deuce. Now, I just think it’s someone else. And I think Erika may know this mystery person, which is why Keith is sending me to talk to her.” At Paul’s continued silence, Deven could only shake her head. “I know it’s wild,” she said.

“Very,” he agreed. “But hell, this whole thing is wild.” He then stood up to stretch and Deven noticed he’d opted to sleep shirtless, the bends and angles of his abs catching little streaks of dawn. His skin seemed to glisten like porcelain and Deven wanted nothing more than to feel him underneath her.

“What’s your plans for the day?” His question had her snapping out of her fantasy and the lie dribbled from her tongue like water.

“I have to work. Probably going to go in pretty soon. What about you?”

“Okay, I didn’t know if you needed me to stay with you.”

Deven couldn’t help but warm at his empathy. And she felt bad for lying to his face. It was for his protection, she had to remind herself. “I’ll be okay. But,” she added to diffuse the rejection. “You can maybe come by later if you want. To talk.”

She caught the gleam in his eyes before his smile spread, slow and hopeful. “You sure you’re ready for that conversation?”

She wasn’t. But she owed it to him. “I think it’s time,” she stated. If there was one thing this meeting with Erika was about to teach her, it was to face everything head on. She had way too many regrets already. She wouldn’t make the same mistakes with Paul.

Two hours later, Deven still didn’t have a plan. But she couldn’t let that deter her. So, she got dressed and drove towards the outskirts of the city before she lost her nerve. Keith hadn’t attempted to call her again, nor had Deuce, though she knew it was ambitious to even expect more contact from either man. Kennedy was her sister, and this was her “problem” and hers alone. She would have to handle it, as such.