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cooper

Steam escapesthe bathroom as I wrap a towel around my waist and step into my bedroom, striding over to my California king-size bed.

Today has been interesting. Mason Bradley has been digging into Eva’s past, obtaining her medical records, patient files from her psychiatrist and therapist, and records from her time at Meridian Retreat & Spa.

Colt and I have been waiting to see how the Bradley brothers were planning to seek revenge. The verdict is still out, but I’m sure they’ll use the information they’ve compiled in some capacity. Otherwise, why withdraw over two million dollars from your inheritance to access it?

My need to know the why nags me to the point where I’m tempted to speak to Liam. I bite my lips at what questioning him could look like.

I smirk at the image of Liam tied up plays in my mind.

Yeah, I definitely wouldn’t mind spending time prying the answers out of him. I’ve seen the way he’s looks at me and I’m eager to test his boundaries to confirm whether my gut instincts are true—he’s attracted to me.

Focus idiot.

Scratching the scruff of my stubble-haired chin, I sigh and sit on the bed, allowing my bare feet to sink into the navy blue plush rug as I ponder who retrieved those files.

There really needs to be a more secure way to keep medical records. Not that any secure method could keep Colt or me out. I mentally note to follow up with Teagan, Lev, and my brother. We should be able to track down the hacker between the four of us. I’ve already been racking my brain as to who would be interested in Eva to seek out the information to sell in the first place.

Could the Pierce family have more enemies, and are they using Eva to get back at them?

Has Eva done something worse than what she did to Farrah?

“No,” I blurt out, running my hands through my still-wet hair.

But what if?

That thought loops in my mind. Eva has already charted into murderer territory. Is it really a stretch for her to do something more vile?

Nothing can be worse than what she did to my sister.

Rationally, I know this is untrue and unfair, but I don’t give a fuck.

A notification sounds from my computer, pulling me from my thoughts and alerting me that Eva’s back in her suite.

Setting alerts for when she’s home was genius on my part. The cameras are motion-activated, so every move she makes or step she takes, we’re watching her.

“Let’s see what our little broken doll is up to.”

Smiling, I stand and then stroll toward my desk, not bothering to put on any clothes. I plunk down onto my desk chair before logging into my computer and bringing up the camera feed.

Eva is in the living room. Her friends invite her to the mall, but she declines, using homework as an excuse. Resignedly, they accept. However, Jade studies her, seeing through her bullshit mask.

Fucking Jade. Her keen observations are precisely why she has to go. She already has our scent. If Eva didn’t trust Colt and me unquestioningly, we’d never get her to sign the agreement—and shewillsign the agreement.

I watch as she enters her room and drops on top of her black comforter, scattering the dumbass accent pillows. Her body settles, but a look of discontentment mars her face.

“What could you be thinking about, l warda dyali lhlouwa?” I mumble, studying her more closely.

In the next moment, Eva launches off the bed, kneeling before her nightstand drawer, and I wait for my destructive butterfly to take her razor blades out. But that’s not what she’s holding. Instead, there’s some sort of case in her hand.

Narrowing my gaze, I mutter, “What are you up to, Evie Rose?”

I don’t have to wait long for the answer. A baby blue handle appears. “What’s on it?” Curious, I zoom in as the case’s contents come into view.

“A unicorn vibrator,” I snort. “I didn’t see that coming.”