Page 75 of The Penalty

“Oh boy. A night out in the Financial District.”

“Meet me at the car in twenty.” Hannah went back to her office.

Alex, the oversized security guard, stood motionless by her door. He’s been there every day for over a month. I finally walked up to him a few weeks ago and introduced myself.

He’d looked at me blankly and said, I know who you are.

I guess lacking a fun gene was a requirement to work in personal security.

Does he ever relax, I wondered.

An hour later I had my answer. Nope. He does not relax. In fact, he doesn’t know the definition of the word. When we arrived, Alex made us wait so he could check out the surroundings before we went inside.

“Is he one of yours or is he courtesy of Bennet?” I asked, motioning toward him after we’d been seated and served our drinks.

“Bennet. Mine is only around during work hours.” She fidgeted with her glass. “You know how Bennet is. Always pulling the strings from the shadows.”

I sort of knew, I guess. Maybe? Intrigue bloomed. “Does it ever bother you how he likes to have his hands in everything you do?”

She didn’t answer. I casually sipped on my martini, trying to appear nonchalant. Hannah’s become an even bigger mystery to me since what happened at the ring ceremony.

Our conversation detoured from Bennet to Charlotte’s foundation, and finally to our trip to Miami and Paris. We ordered some appetizers and another round of drinks. By the time the third round came out, we were both relaxed and giddy.

We even managed to convince Alex to stretch his legs for a few minutes. He scowled at us and muttered something about using the restroom.

“Good evening ladies,” a deep voice greeted us.

I jumped, heart pounding. He sounds like…

My eyes fell on the well-dressed man who’d interrupted us. I relaxed a bit, realizing this wasn’t a repeat of my encounter with Jordan. Although this guy could have emerged from the same business bro clone factory. Tailored suit, styled hair, gleaming cufflinks, arrogant smile.

Hannah glanced at him with disinterest.

He didn’t seem to mind neither one of us greeted him with anything more than a cool stare.

“Sorry if I’ve interrupted you. My friend and I—” he gestured behind him “—would like to buy you both a drink.”

I glanced to my left, noticing another three-piece suit sitting at a table. He lifted a glass and winked. I rolled my eyes.

“Thank you, but no,” Hannah replied, sounding more like an annoyed princess than anything else.

The man smiled without any warmth. “You mean to tell me I’m being snubbed? And here I thought the esteemed executives with the vaunted New York Legends would jump at the chance to be pampered.”

“Buying us a drink doesn’t cut it.” I paused to sip my martini. “But thanks for noticing.”

Hang around posh venues in the city long enough, and running into this type of guy wasn’t too much of a shock. Our photos were plastered all over the Legends website. Plus, Hannah’s been part of the Manhattan social scene her entire life as the sole heiress to the Caldwell fortune.

Any person with half a brain who fancies themselves to be on the prowl would recognize her.

I get noticed occasionally but nobody cares about the media relations person for a football team. Unless they want an interview. Although these days my visibility on social media was more prevalent thanks to being linked with Xavier.

This guy had a different motive. I just couldn’t figure it out yet.

“In that case,” he continued, lowering his tone, “would you both care to join us at The Guild? It’s an ultra exclusive…club. Invite only. We have a private room reserved for the night.”

I’ve heard my share of bad pick up lines but this one takes the cake.

Hannah remained void of expression. I barreled ahead.

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