Page 119 of The Love Penalty

My jaw is shaking as I watch this shit.

He did it.

It was Harvey, and I’m so furious right now, I can’t even speak.

No one seems to be able to. Lani is full-on trembling beside me. She’s trying to control it, wrapping her arms around herself, just like she did in the video.

I shift, nestling her against me so she can lean into my chest. Cupping the back of her head, I hide her face from the guys as she buries herself in my chest and lets out a quaking sob. Her fingers curl into my shirt as she quietly shudders against me.

I glance to my left and spot Zander’s face. He’s raging. Wily’s looking pretty dark, too, as they share a look, and finally Grady mutters, “Who is that thundercunt?”

Tapping the screen, he looks up to his friends.

“He was an out-of-towner.” Zander’s voice is low and heavy. “Grades, make a copy of that footage. Put it on a flash drive, plus upload it to my iCloud.” He looks to me. “I’ll send it you.”

“Thanks,” I croak.

“Is there anything else we can do?” Wily’s expression buckles as his eyes skim over Lani.

I shake my head. “We’ll, um… take this to the police and see what comes of it.”

“Does she remember his name?” Grady leans around me, trying to look at Lani. “Do you remember his name?”

“I know who it is,” I growl.

Wily’s lips part as he points at the laptop. “You know the guy?”

“Yeah.” I nod, panic sizzling through me. It’s an effort to push it down. I’m trying to contain a lot right now—outright fury is mixing with panic-inducing dread. I know what I have to do. It’s not going to be pretty… and a whole bunch of people who I really care about will be affected.

Grady jumps up from his chair, heading out of the room, and I stand there, holding my girl. I share a few awkward looks with Wily and Zander, then flinch when the front door pops open.

Wily walks to the hallway, popping his head out to see who it is. “Carson. Shit, man, are you just getting home?” There’s a soft grunt, and Wily shakes his head. “Hungover again, I see.” He starts laughing, then booms, “Good morning, good morning, good morning!” He’s singing at the top of his lungs.

Zander snickers and then starts laughing when Carson swears up a storm.

“Shut the fuck up, you moron!”

“Moron?” Zander shouts toward the hallway. “That’s the best you can do? How much did you drink last night?”

“I hate you all!” Carson yells, thumping up the stairs. “May you all die in a pit of fiery… I don’t know… some shit that’s hot and will burn your asses to the ground!”

“Sleep well, dude!” Wily calls after him.

“Fuck you!” Carson shouts back.

Zander starts laughing again, just a soft one that dies away when Wily turns back with a frown. “He’s going to get kicked off the team if he doesn’t watch it.”

“I know.” Zander sighs. “I’ll have a talk with him when he’s not hungover.”

“Good luck finding that window.” Wily rolls his eyes.

Zander grunts and shakes his head, crossing his arms when Grady walks back into the room. “Did you know Darren’s still here?”

“What?” Zander’s worried frown changes to a pissed-off scowl.

“Yeah, he’s in the kitchen eating all of our cereal.”

“What the fuck is with that guy? Does he not know how to go home already?”

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