Page 133 of The Penalty

Fierce green eyes locked onto mine. “I’m starting to understand why you get so angry when it comes to Jordan. I can’t stand what he’s done to you.”

The familiar surge of possessive pride flowed through me as I stroked my lip with my thumb.

“God, I fucking love you. But this isn’t your fight. Let me handle him.”

“Your fight is my fight, Xavier.”

Victoria

This might be the worst decision I’ve ever made.

Or the best.

The jury was still out.

“Not much I can do to change it now,” I muttered to myself while pacing around the hotel room. As soon as I’d ended the call with Xavier the other night, I set my plan into action.

After finessing a few things at work and straight up telling Marcus he wasn’t coming with me, I chartered a private plane and flew to London.

This was the right thing to do, wasn’t it? Yes. Then why does nothing about this feel comfortable? My gut kept telling me to go home.

A knock sounded at the door.

See? my gut taunted, as I opened it. This is what you get for thinking you have autonomy when it comes to Jordan McKennie.

Bennet stood expressionless with his hands tucked inside his pockets. “Victoria.”

“Hi.” I gestured toward the room. “Please come in.”

Doesn’t hurt to be polite, right? We haven’t seen or spoken to one another since Paris.

His astute amber eyes surveyed me as he strode past. Bennet Logan doesn’t simply enter a room, he announces his commanding presence with his entire body. I call him the god of thunder for a reason. Tall, broad-shouldered, and always impeccably dressed. The picture of modern British aristocracy with a nod to the old world elegance.

“You found me.” I closed the door and faced him. “Should I ask how?”

Bennet flashed a grin that didn’t quite meet his eyes. “I think you know, Ms. Chase. Next time you want to brush off your personal security, don’t. Marcus has one job, and you just made it a million times more difficult.”

The drama with this one.

“Spare me the lecture.” I flicked my wrist. “I have to do this.”

“Have you told Xavier?”

“You know I haven’t. He’d do everything in his power to stop me.”

A slow, resigned shake of his head made my heart wrench.

“As would I.” The subtle lowering of his shoulders softened the pristine exterior of control. “That man is like a brother to me. I would do anything to prevent him from getting hurt.” His tone sharpened. “You are the most important person in his life. I’m sure he tells you every chance he gets but it bears repeating. When we’re finished here today, you’ll go straight to him and tell him everything.”

I’d prepared myself for one of Bennet’s scoldings. I’d been around him enough to know he’s surgical when being persuasive. This first cut was a doozy.

“How is he?”

“The best goalkeeper in England isn’t playing this weekend for no good fucking reason other than his own inability to control his impulses. How do you think he’s doing?”

“Point taken.” I folded my arms. “So how is this going to play out? I’m assuming you know I scheduled a meeting with Jordan this afternoon.”

“Is that your way of saying you’d like me to be there?”

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