This is Effortless (Checkmate Duet 4)

We start laughing hysterically again when our food arrives and it smells delicious. Today is the first day I’ve had a real appetite, and I can’t wait to dig in because chicken fajitas are one of my favorite Mexican dishes.

We eat and talk, and I fill them in on exactly what I remember. Viola has already heard it all, but she listens intently like it’s the first time. “Then I woke up in the hotel room that wasn’t ours, no shoes and phoneless and I really began to freak out.”

Kayla’s mouth is wide open. “How did you get there?”

“I don’t know.” I shake my head. “She had someone help her.”

I continue about the breakfast room service and the bloody hot sauce tears and the more I think about it, the angrier I become. I’ve never been one to be bullied. I’ve always stood up for myself and I take pride in that. But here I am cowering to someone who needs to be institutionalized.

“I’m sick of feeling this way,” I admit. “I’m sick of feeling like she’s got control over us.”

“And she does because you allow her to,” Kayla adds. It’s a harsh truth, but regardless it’s the truth. “She’s the classic psychopath. She waits for you to be vulnerable, then pounces when you least expect it.”

“So, that means I have to expect the unexpected?”

“Exactly,” Viola says. “You’re so smart, Court. You’re way smarter than her, trust me on that. So, outsmart her. Because honestly, I have a feeling a piece of paper isn’t going to keep her away. She doesn’t follow the rules like normal people. She’s too entitled. Mia has always made her own rules.” Viola takes a bite of food. “Beat her at her own game.”

My head is reeling and a million questions rush through my mind. “How do you think she found us in Vegas?”

“Easy,” Kayla says. “Social media. You posted a lot of pictures. Anyone could have found you if they were looking for you.”

“But I have her blocked on everything, so that doesn’t add up.” I made sure to block her ass as soon as she and Drew broke up. I didn’t want her spying on us.

“But do you have all of her and Drew’s mutual friends blocked? You tagged him. Just one person had to see it and send a screenshot to Voldemort.”

I hadn’t thought of that. Viola is so freaking smart. It’s all beginning to make sense.

In unison, we say, “The wedding photo…”

“Yep! That’s probably what set her off,” Kayla says.

“Fuck,” I whisper under my breath. In the moment, it seemed like a funny joke, but it lit the fuse to a ticking time bomb.

“We make good detectives.”

I turn and look at Kayla. “Speaking of detectives…have you heard from Logan?” I lift an eyebrow and she frowns.

“Not really.”

“I’m sorry,” Viola says. “He’ll come around.” Viola instantly changes the subject because it became awkward. Note taken. I make a mental note to ask Drew about it.

“You know, I would’ve been pissed if you would’ve gotten married in Vegas without me there, but honestly, you’re the only person I can ever see with my brother. I can’t wait until you’re officially my sister.” Viola is smiling so freaking big just thinking about it. And the truth is, I can’t imagine life without Drew in it.

“I can’t wait, either,” I admit truthfully. I’d be the happiest person on earth.

“And I can’t wait to go to another wedding. I love them!” Kayla is back to herself again.

After dinner, we’re all yawning and decide it’s time to go. It’s been a long-ass day, and I hope I’m able to sleep and get rest when I’m home alone again. Yesterday was hard. Before leaving, we exchange hugs and decide we need to do this more often.

While I’m driving home I can’t help but smile because I have the greatest friends in the world. As I pull up to the house, I sit in the Jeep for a few minutes and look around, making sure nothing is out of place, but it all seems normal. I grab a small bottle of pepper spray that I keep in my middle console and make my way to the front door. Before walking inside, I grab the mail out of the box and then unlock the door. After throwing all the mail on the table, I get the pepper spray ready and go through and turn on every light in the house. I release a deep breath, feeling easier about being home until I glance over to the table. I catch a glimpse of an envelope sitting on top of the stack of mail with my name written across the front. My mouth falls open when I place that familiar handwriting.

CHAPTER SIX

DREW

“So, you going to tell me what you’re up to, Knight?” I ask as I follow him back to his office. “I’m guessing there’s no special project, is there?”