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)
Her eyes widen and I’m relieved to see pure joy over my offer. “Move here permanently, huh?”
“Forever,” I say, heart pounding harder than it does on the ice. This is fucking huge, but I mean it to the depths of my soul.
The tiniest sheen of tears glistens in her eyes. “Penn…” Her voice breaks a little. “That’s all I want. To stay with you when this is all done.”
I’ve never felt such relief before, as if all my problems have just been solved and all the puzzle pieces are complete. I lean down, press my forehead to hers. “Once we handle this shit with Jace, I’m going to give you the best damn life.”
Her throat works around a swallow. “I already have it.”
I exhale, brushing a hand through her hair. “Best fucking thing that ever happened to me was you walking into my life and wrecking it.”
She laughs—a watery, beautiful sound. “Me too.”
I kiss her temple, then push off the bed. “Okay… ginger ale, crackers, garbage can by the bed. You’re clearly not able to go to the game, so I’m gonna call Jameson, let them know agents need to stay here with you while I’m gone.”
“Sounds good,” she says, curling deeper into the blanket like she’s exhausted.
“I’ll be right back.”
The first order of business is calling Malik. He answers on the first ring and I let him know Mila’s sick. “I’ll get another group of agents over there.”
“No,” I say brusquely, rifling through the pantry for crackers. “Just have the ones who were going to Chicago stay here with her. I don’t need the protection.”
“Are you sure?” Malik asks.
“Yeah. I’ll be surrounded by the team and besides, Jace is focused on Mila right now. I’m not in any danger.”
He doesn’t argue with me. “I’m on it,” he says and disconnects.
I move through the kitchen, grabbing everything Mila asked for, bringing it back like I’m some damn rookie nurse. But I’d do it a thousand times over for her.
When I set the tray on the bedside table, Mila reaches for my hand. “Thank you.”
I smile and squeeze her fingers. “You need to text Willa,” I tell her. She’s a doctor, after all. “Let her know what’s going on. If you get worse, she’s the one you call. I’ll be on a plane, but she can get to you faster than anyone.”
“I will,” she promises.
Reluctantly, I glance at the time. “I’ve got to hop in the shower and get packed. Malik is sending agents over and they’ll be here soon.”
“Okay,” she says weakly, and I can’t help but touch her cheek one more time. Cool and fortunately dry. Yeah… probably just food poisoning.
I bend over, press my lips to her forehead. I gotta go but this doesn’t seem right. Leaving her in this state feels like leaving a piece of me behind.
“I’ll text when I land,” I say. “And I’ll be back tonight.”
She smiles, soft and sleepy. “Go win a game.”
I bend down again and gently kiss the top of her head. “Stay in bed. Rest. And when I get back, we’re gonna start building that forever.”
I don’t wait for an answer. I already know what I’m playing for.
CHAPTER 28
Mila
The second Penn’s G-Wagon disappears down the driveway, the weight of what I’m about to do settles fully on my chest. The guilt is overwhelming, but it’s competing with the equally strong conviction that I’m doing the right thing for both of us.
I give it ten seconds. Maybe fifteen. Then I’m moving.
I race upstairs where all my clothes are still in the guest room. First order of business: a text to Malik. I’m ready.
I duck into the shower, scrubbing quickly, regrets competing with affirmations running in my head on a loop. I have to believe Penn will forgive me for what I’m about to do. I dry off, throw on jeans and a sweater, pull my damp hair into a loose braid, and glance out the window. I see Jackson’s Suburban in the driveway. He’s leaning against it, arms crossed over his chest, a neutral expression on his face. But the sharp way his eyes roam the area tells me he’s very much on duty.
Nabbing my purse and tossing my phone in it, I set the alarm before walking out the front door. And then a horrible thought strikes me.
“Fuck,” I yell, and Jackson pushes off the SUV, on high alert. I point at the house. “The alarm. The notification I just armed the system will go to Penn. Goddamn it… he’s probably watching the camera right now.”
Jackson chuckles, opening the door and motioning me in. “We bypassed the system on our end so you could get out of the house without alerting Penn.”
“Oh,” I say thickly, realizing I’d suck as a secret agent. “That was… um… smart.”
“We are quite capable,” he says dryly.