Page 148 of Penalty to the Heart

“Give Lenny a couple more days, love,” I suggest, trying to get the idea of going to his place out of her head, “I’m sure he’ll turn up eventually.”

“I hope so.” She chews on her bottom lip, unable to hide her concern.

But before I’m able to kiss her frown away, the timer on her phone starts to ring out, officially ending our lunch date.

“Argh. I really wish I could just spend the afternoon here with you, but duty calls.”

She plants a tender kiss on my lips before getting to her feet.

Reluctantly, I follow her lead and get up, too.

“I also have a busy afternoon,” I reply, wrapping my arms around her.

“Oh?” she beams brightly at me.

“Yep. Just some errands I have to do before my training session with Bellamy.”

Her smile stretches at that.

“Did I tell you how proud I am for you and Bellamy being friends now? After everything that happened between the two of you.”

“No, but you can tell me now. Or better yet, why don’t you show me?” I tease, tilting my head to the underpass where we hooked up once.

“How about I show you later back at my place instead?” She laughs before planting another sweet kiss on my lips that makes my heart turn to mush.

How the fuck did I get so lucky?

After I drive Roxie back to her office, I make a few calls to get Lenny’s address.

Half an hour later, I’m banging at his door.

When Lenny finally opens it, his eyes widen in anger when he finds me standing at his doorstep.

“The fuck are you doing here, Donovan?” he growls, puffing out his chest like he wants to punch me or something.

“What does it look like? I’m checking up on you,” I explain, pushing past him and stepping into his apartment, the air heavy with a mix of despair and neglect. My heart sinks as I see papers strewn across the floor, empty beer bottles piled up on the coffee table, and takeout containers settled on almost every surface of the room. A wave of sadness washes over me as I realize the extent of his struggle, and I resolve to do everything in my power to help lift him out of this dark place.

“You can’t just barge into my home, Donovan. We’re not friends.”

“True. We’re better. We’re teammates. Now go and grab a fucking shower and get dressed. I’m taking you somewhere.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Yes, you are,” I retort, keeping my voice cool and collected. “Roxanne is worried about you. And I don’t like it when she’s worried. So get fucking dressed. We leave in ten.”

He stares at me like I must have lost my goddamn mind.

And maybe I have a little.

But I meant what I said.

If Roxie is upset about something, then so am I.

Which means Lenny is shit out of luck.

“Chop, chop, Lenny! We don’t have all day. Move!”

He curses under his breath but eventually does what I ordered him to.

---