Page 15 of The Penalty

As tempting as that sounded, I held back. A world-famous footballer speaking to a high-profile British aristocrat already caught the eye of more than a few people nearby.

“What brings you to this part of the city?” he asked, smoothing down his tie. “A date?”

“Not really your concern, is it?” I folded my arms, my cool voice at odds with the violent intentions swimming in my mind.

Jordan sized me up with contempt. “How’s your lovely girlfriend these days?”

The tips of my fingers dug into my shirt. “Again, not your concern.”

A ruthless smile appeared. “Am I safe to assume you won’t be as open to sharing her as you’ve been with others in the past?”

In an effort to not kill him where he stood, I shoved my hands in my pockets and backed away.

“Touched a nerve, have I? Does she know what it’s truly like to be one of your girls?”

My hands ached from fisting them tight.

Breathe.

Jordan kept baiting. “Still keeping yourself all chaste and proper these days? Well, chaste isn’t right. It’s more likely my own dick will fall off before you stop shagging any woman that crosses your path. Surprised you didn’t grab those two for a quickie behind—”

I moved to swing at him, only to be blocked by Adam.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, standing in between us. “Traffic.”

Neither Jordan nor I moved or said anything. Years of animosity and betrayal saturated our bitter stares. We remained locked in this silent battle until Jordan spoke.

“Socializing with the blended family? Not going to lie. This is out of character.” Jordan donned casual surprise as easily as he did one of his expensive suits. “I’m sure you boys have quite a bit to catch up on.”

He’d walked almost to the edge of the sidewalk before turning and saying, “Drove past that lovely cottage again this afternoon. Briarcliff Cottage, is it? Maybe I’ll make another offer.”

Ice ran through my veins.

A vicious smile tugged at his mouth. “Money can be so persuasive at times.”

Xavier

Dinner with Adam was not happening. I don’t care how much he protested.

“Listen.” My step-brother grabbed my arm. “He’s planning something. I don’t know what it is but you need to watch yourself.”

“I’m not a child, Adam.” I shook his hand off me. “I can handle him.”

I walked down the street, ignoring whatever he shouted at my back. My only goal was to get home and try to relax.

Relax?

Who the fuck am I kidding?

I needed to get out of London.

After arriving at my flat, I grabbed my car keys and left the city.

The drive to Briarcliff Village passed in the blink of an eye. I parked in front of Victoria’s cottage and admired the gray and white stone exterior. She’d given me a spare set of keys but I haven’t been inside since we were there together.

I want my last memory of this house to be of you here with me.

Her words punched an even bigger hole in my chest. Fuck. I squeezed the steering wheel and exhaled slow.

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