Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“He’s absolutely right,” Willa says sternly, glancing between Farren and Mazzy to get their agreement.
Mazzy lifts a shoulder. “I don’t know… I mean… if it were me, I’d probably be willing to be bait.”
Willa gasps. “Mazzy… don’t give her any ideas.”
“I’d do it too,” Farren says, and then presses her fingers over Willa’s lips when she starts to argue. “But only if I had Jameson protecting me, which she does, so it’s not really all that dangerous.”
Willa’s lips press flat with disapproval. “Well, I’m against it and I’m glad Penn is too.”
“God,” Mazzy exclaims as if she just had a revelation. “How are you even going to enjoy the game tonight with all that hanging over your head?” She plucks a cucumber from her salad and pops it in her mouth. “We should get drunk.”
“Oh, she’ll be too busy ogling Penn on the ice,” Farren says assuredly.
And even Willa seems to have forgotten her stern mom-like demeanor and giggles. “There’s unlimited champagne in Brienne’s booth so we can indulge.”
My lips quirk. “You ladies are exactly the bad influences I need.”
Mazzy leans in. “I have to say… Foster told me after the road trip how different Penn’s been lately. Said he was fun—like, really fun—on the plane and at the hotel. Joking around. Hanging out. They all say it’s because of you.”
Farren nods. “North said the same thing. It’s like he’s relaxed for the first time since joining the team.”
Warmth spreads through me, a flush of pride mixed with something deeper.
Hope.
“He’s pretty incredible,” I say softly. “And I think this is all difficult for him, but I’m really proud of him for opening up.”
Willa’s eyes sparkle. “You’ve got it bad.”
“I do,” I admit without hesitation. “And I’m hoping…” I falter for a beat. “I’m hoping this thing with Jace gets handled. And that maybe this thing with Penn is just the start of something bigger.”
Mazzy reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “I think it already is.”
I might actually be starting to believe that’s true.
CHAPTER 26
Mila
Mornings after a loss always seem more somber. It was that way even back when I lived under my parents’ roof and my dad coached the Wraiths. Penn and I got home late last night after dropping an overtime game to the Minnesota Raiders. There were no beers to bond over, no lingering at the arena. Penn had been quiet, frustrated like any competitive athlete would be, but it didn’t stop him from taking me to bed and giving me two blistering orgasms before claiming his own. The memory alone is enough to put a secret smile on my face as I stand at the stove, flipping bacon while the smell of coffee tinges the air.
I hear the shower cut off down the hall, and a minute later, Penn pads into the kitchen—hair damp and mussed, sweatpants hanging low on his hips. His eyes land on me, and before I can even greet him, he’s behind me, arms sliding around my waist, pulling me back against his solid chest.
“You’re too damn perfect for me,” he murmurs against my neck, pressing a kiss to the sensitive spot just below my ear. “I don’t deserve this.”
“Yes, you do,” I whisper. “I think we both deserve it.”
I should be enjoying this, but I’ve had a quiver of nerves in my stomach all morning. I can’t stop thinking about Jace and Peter. They were supposed to meet yesterday afternoon and we haven’t heard a thing. For all I know, they could both be hiding outside of the front gates, ready to take a shot at us.
No. Peter wouldn’t do that. I trust he’s on my side in this.
The doorbell rings and Penn’s body tenses against mine for a moment before he releases me. Without a word, he heads to the front door while I flip off the heat on the stove. When he opens it, Kynan and Malik stand on the portico, both dressed casually in jeans and heavy coats.
Penn welcomes them in and they both offer me a smile. The mood I’d been reveling in just moments ago shifts so fast it’s like a cold front rolling through the door. Penn offers quick handshakes and I follow them all into the great room, perching next to Penn on the couch as Kynan takes the lead.
“Peter met with Jace yesterday for several hours and then came straight to Jameson to debrief us,” Kynan says, resting his elbows on his knees.
Penn’s posture stiffens beside me and I blindly reach for his hand, feeling immediately secure when he takes it.
Malik stands off to the side, arms crossed, but his expression is hard. Focused.
“And?” Penn asks, already tense.
Kynan doesn’t sugarcoat it. “Jace clearly wants revenge against both of you, but he would not give Peter specifics. We’d coached Peter on how hard to press him and it appears he played it appropriately cool, but Jace doesn’t quite trust him.”