Page 162 of The Penalty

The tiniest nod preceded his answer. “I don’t know exactly where but my best guess is just south of Manchester at his house in Alderley Green.”

Exasperation layered my sigh in spades. What a shithead. Hiding out in one of the wealthiest villages he could find.

When I pulled out my phone to text Bennet, Philip attempted to capitalize on my distraction and moved to stand up.

“Not so fast.” I grabbed his shirt and shoved him back against the wall. “We’re not done here.”

“I told you everything I know.”

“I’m sure you think you have.”

Me: Alderley Green

“Are you texting Bennet Logan?” His voice spiked with panic. “Don’t say it was me. I’ll be—”

“Adam,” I cut in. “What was it you told me about detecting and responding to cyberthreats as the tech lead for a security team?”

Philip’s eyes darted to my stepbrother, pleading for help. Remaining nonchalant, I looked up at Adam and waited for his answer.

“He makes sure the clients’ networks are safe. He could also cause cyberthreats.”

I leveled a cool stare at Philip. “I imagine the punishment for committing that type of crime on foreign soil is severe.”

Bennet: Sending a team now

Tucking my phone in my pocket, I turned my full attention back to Philip. “Answer this last question for me. What exactly does Jordan hope to get from blackmailing Victoria?”

He flinched when I let go of his shirt and smoothed it down. “Money.”

“Bullshit. His family is worth almost a billion. He doesn’t need money.”

A bead of sweat trickled down the side of Philip’s face. “His family is but he isn’t.”

Dismissing his cryptic remark, I leaned closer to him. “What else does he want?”

“He’s baiting you into coming after him.”

Prick. He knew that’s exactly what I’d do.

Unless…

I looked up at my stepbrother.

“Do you still want to help me?”

Shock seized Adam’s face. “Of course I do.”

I smiled, not from joy but from resolve. “I have an idea.”

Xavier

Two Weeks Later

Cade and Noah held up their respective jerseys and smiled for the camera. I looked down at mine, and then over at Tre Gideon.

As part of the international series being played here in London, the teams thought a jersey swap would be a fun little promotional stunt. Since Cade and Noah both wear the number nine, they were up first.

“You’re officially invited to the number nines dinner,” Cade proclaimed, slinging an arm around Noah’s shoulders. “Only the best are allowed at the table.”

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