Page 72 of Wrecked By a Devil

“I…” Her smile slowly fades. “Can’t just quit.”

“Why not?” I frown.

“Because, unlike you, I actually need my paycheck,” she lets out a quiet laugh, but there’s no humor behind it.

“Riley…”

“I mean it,” she looks me straight in the eyes. “My independence means everything to me.”

“Who said anything about taking away your independence?”

She blinks. “What?”

“I was actually going to offer you a different position,” I give her a small smile. “And a job where you’d have a higher pay.”

“Are you serious?” She raises her eyebrows, confused.

“Yes,” I nod, leaning in closer to her. “Would you accept the position of the bar manager at the Eden?”

Her face lights up briefly before settling back into confusion. She’s staring at me as if she’s trying to figure out whether I’m serious. “But why me?”

“Why not? You’re smart as fuck and more than capable.”

“And you’d really trust me with that job?”

“Riley,” I grin, my voice dropping to a whisper as I continue. “Right now, you’re one of the few people I actually trust not to screw me over.”

A slow smile spreads across her face.

“I would love working as a bar manager, Zeke,” She finally leans in, pulling me toward her for a kiss. “When do I start?”

“Is tomorrow good for you?”

CHAPTER THIRTY

Riley

“I think the red lipstick suits you better,” Elena has been helping me get ready for my date with Zeke, carefully vetting my outfit until we settle on a beautiful beige dress. “So you passed all your exams, got a promotion at the club, and you’re going on a date with the super hot, rich dude from the other night?”

“I guess that’s a way to put it,” I laugh, the nerves starting to get the best of me. I keep thinking about the date and for some reason I find myself feeling way more nervous than I thought I would.

“I’m so happy for you, girl,” she says, making herself comfortable on the bed. “If anyone deserves to have their life turned upside down in the best way, it’s you.”

“That means a lot, Elena.” Hearing my roommate say those words warms my heart. “Thank you.”

She smiles and then quickly adds. “Now hurry, don’t let the man wait.”

“Oh my, God!” I only then glance at the time and realize I’m almost late. “I’ll be late.”

When I get downstairs, I find Zeke’s driver waiting for me. Elliott opens the door for me and I get inside. It’s crazy how fast I’ve gotten used to his car picking me up, and I have to admit it makes my life a lot less stressful because I don’t have to worry about walking home alone at night.

“Mr. Zeke wants you to open the box next to you,” Elliott is already joining a fast lane on the highway after taking a shortcut.

I only then notice the elegant black box on the backseat next to me. “What’s this?”

“I wouldn’t know, Miss,” Elliott proceeds to explain. “I only know what the boss told me, and he said he’s not working tonight and to tell you that he wants you to put on what’s inside that box.”

“It must be clothes…” I say more to myself than to him.