Page 166 of The Penalty

A tremor of anger passed through her. “Does he know where Jordan is?”

“Yes. He never left England. Bennet’s team has been tracking his every move since I found out.”

I could see the gears spinning in Victoria’s head as she processed the information. “How can you be sure this Philip guy won’t turn tail and tell Jordan you know everything?”

I smirked. “The little shit orchestrated an international hack on a professional sports franchise in the United States. To top it off, he targeted a highly respected executive in some twisted revenge porn scheme to extort money. He doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Silence is his only option.”

This whole scenario was fucked up. The only game I wanted to play was football, not petty one-upmanship with a spoiled twat whose only leverage in life was his fucking noble bloodline.

Victoria’s jaw set in determination. “Let Jordan go through with his plan. We’ll draw him out easier that way.”

“What do you mean let him?”

“Do you still have the spreadsheet with the list of media contacts?”

I nodded.

“Give it to me. This is my wheelhouse. I can finesse any narrative. Besides, I always have an ace up my sleeve.” Her fiery stare burned through me. “I know this look, Maddox. Jordan’s an egotistical asshole who likes to have the upper hand. If he thinks shaming me in public for my sexual history is going to make me run scared, he doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.”

Despite her bravado, I picked up on a note of apprehension running beneath her words. The ever-present rage churned through my veins.

“I’m not letting him hurt you. Adam and I have already come up with a plan.”

“And I’m not letting him hurt you. I refuse to watch you destroy everything you worked so hard for to take the bait and go after him. This is ultimately what he wants. We are each other’s weakness. He’s counting on that but he won’t be expecting strength.” A sly grin pulled at her mouth. “Someone once told me not to step into an arena if I wasn’t prepared for the battle. Jordan won’t know what hit him.”

“Yes he will. Me.”

Victoria pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “You’re hot when get all growly and feral.”

“And you’re sexy as fuck when you’re being this stubborn.”

“Perfect match, don’t you think?”

Another dark flame ignited between us.

“More than perfect. So, what are the blanks you’re going to fill in?”

“I had Bennet do some digging for me so I could prove Jordan lied about investing with my dad’s firm. Let’s just say I learned more than I expected. Jordan is not as financially sound as he’d like everyone to believe.”

“Philip mentioned the same thing,” I murmured.

“What did he say?”

“Something about his family being worth almost a billion but not Jordan. Any idea what that means?”

Victoria examined me, an internal battle waging behind beautiful green eyes.

“Tori.” I spoke low and deliberate. “What is it?”

“I told you. I always have an ace up my sleeve.”

“Desperate people go to great lengths to get what they want, love.” My fingers caressed down her neck. The red marks were gone but I won’t ever forget seeing them. “If you know something, tell me. I don’t want you putting yourself in harm’s way alone.”

“I’m not alone. I have you by my side.” She slipped a hand under my shirt. “If I tell you, promise me you won’t go scorched earth on him. This has to be strategic. Calm. Sort of like how you are in goal.” She bit down on her lip and traced my body with a hungry stare. “Until you unleash your inner beast and get all ferocious.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Is this your idea of flattery?”

“Maybe.”

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