Page 29 of Devious Love

Me:

Tell her everything will be alright. I’m already making plans for next week

Jeff:

She says you’re the best!

A car pulls into the driveway, so I tuck my phone away and stand. As I’m dusting off my butt, the car door slams shut, and the mysterious help saunters toward the porch.

The butcher.

I’m not being fair, I know, but the woman always screamed bloody murder when she was with Dominic, and the nickname stuck in my head. It was always a good way to distract myself fromwhatthey were doing.

Her red hair is collected into a high ponytail, and it swings from side to side as she sashays down the walkway. Her tiny jean shorts make her legs look ridiculously long, and her dark green, low-cut tee gives me a good view of her cleavage.

“Hi,” I say.

She climbs the stairs and stops in front of me, her eyes hard, like she’s assessing an annoying bacterium under a microscope.

“Littlestepsister,” she finally murmurs. Her red lips spread into a smile.

“I prefer ‘Mia.’ That’s my name.”

“I know, though I don’t think we were ever officially introduced. I’m Remi.”

Keeping my expression even, I dip my chin. “Nice to meet you.”

She shifts her gaze to my suitcase, then my backpack, and cocks a brow. “So you’re really moving back?”

“Yeah, starting college in a couple of weeks.”

She hums, still studying me like she’s sizing up the enemy. “Have you figured out what you want to do with your life?”

I pick up my backpack and heft it over one shoulder. “The plan is to work in the gaming industry. I want to be a game designer.”

“How fancy.” She flattens her lips.

Annoyance flares hot in my veins. What’s her problem with me? “Matt said you have a spare key.”

With a nod, she skirts around me and heads to the door. I fold my arms over my chest, holding my ground and keeping my chin lifted, all the while cursing myself for letting her make me feel uncomfortable.

“Here you go.” She opens the door and steps inside.

Jaw clenched, I grab the handle of my suitcase and march into the house.

Once inside, I spin, blocking her from stepping any further into the house, and hold out my hand. “Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it.”

Her gaze goes to my palm.

“The keys. Please.”

Her lip curls in a sneer. “Dom gave them to me?—”

“Then he can give them back once he returns from Vegas,” I say with a polite smile. “But for now, I need them.”

Gritting her teeth, she tosses them into my outstretched hand.

“Thank you.” As I stuff them into my pocket, I glance at the open door. “It was nice to meet you, Remi.”