The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play #1) - B.B. Reid Page 0,15

too much time passed and she didn’t come back I told myself I was only worried about what story I’d tell my father. Under no circumstances was I concerned about what might have happened to her.

Unfortunately, my father and his whore made it back first but seeing an opportunity to get my pound of flesh, I told them without being asked that Four had run away in a fit of tears. I had no idea if she was crying or not, but I knew my saying so would piss her off either way.

Vaughn had called shortly after my father and Four’s mother lost their shit to say he’d found something of mine lost on the beach. I didn’t need to ask what he’d meant. Once I informed my father of Four’s whereabouts he wasted no time calling in one of the many favors owed by the Sheriff’s department. I covertly cashed in a favor of my own and told Vaughn to stay on her ass in case she spotted one of the Sheriff’s boys first and bolted.

There was no way in hell she was getting off that easy. Four’s presence in Blackwood Keep had awakened something within me, and I wanted more of it.

Tipping over to the only open box, I peered inside. Navy blue coveralls stained with oil was the first to catch my eye. Lifting it, I smiled as I studied Four’s name written on the white patch belonging to Russell’s Repairs.

So my little troublemaker liked to get her hands dirty.

Good.

So did I.

FOUR DAYS OF PLAYING THE docile prisoner for the McNamara men left me exhausted. Who knew being pleasant twenty-four seven packed could be so…unpleasant? And it all seemed to backfire because, after that first day, I saw little to nothing of Ever McNamara. Thomas didn’t even bat an eyelash at his son’s constant absence.

Today was now the morning of my fifth day in Blackwood Keep and my first day at Brynwood Academy. A couple of days ago, I was given the same red and navy uniforms I’d found in Ever’s closet along with a credit card for my ‘needs.’ Thomas then forced me to sit through a lecture on financial responsibility before informing me that Ever would be driving me to and from school until other arrangements could be made. He didn’t explain what he’d meant, but I wondered if the man had actually been implying he’d buy me a car.

Eyes at half-mast as my toes sunk into the plush carpet, I stretched and listened for signs of bathroom occupancy. Hearing nothing but the birds chirping, I quickly grabbed the caddy I picked up when Rosalyn had driven us to town in the Navigator for supplies. Along with everything else, she’d ditched the Taurus before leaving Cherry. Rosalyn had questioned why I needed a caddy, but I’d refrained from telling her that I didn’t trust Ever not to dip my toothbrush in toilet water. Not that I had considered it or anything…

I made sure to lock both doors before eagerly stepping into the shower. I’d spent thirty minutes under the spray the first time. The water jetting from all sides had felt like a full body massage, one that I desperately needed this morning but didn’t have the time to spare. After blow-drying, my hair fell in shiny waves around my shoulders before I threw it into a ponytail. Rosalyn loathed them. She thought it was ‘shameful to hide such beautiful hair.’ I thought it was a goddamn nuisance, which was why I’d had Patty free me of the long tresses. Rosalyn had mourned for months.

Once I collected everything, I unlocked his door. I’d only taken a few steps when a wicked smile spread across my lips, and I hurried back to his door. I was reaching for the knob when the door was pushed open. I just barely saved my face from being clobbered.

“What are you doing in here?” I hissed as I clutched my towel to me. Black boxers were all Ever wore.

“Door wasn’t locked.” His head cocked slightly. “What were you doing if the door was already unlocked?”

“I—I didn’t know I’d forgotten to lock it,” I lied.

He grunted and moved around me. I couldn’t help stealing another peek at his body even though he hadn’t bothered looking anywhere beyond my face. One day, I’d question why I found that insulting. I watched as his gaze landed on my yellow caddy. Without permission, he reached out, lifted my bar of soap, and brought it