Page 180 of The Penalty

“Xavier’s phone. How can I help you?”

I squeezed her waist, watching her cheerful expression.

“It is,” she exclaimed. “Yep, I’m in London. Nice to talk to you too. Nope, we’re not busy. We’d love to. Great. See you later.”

“Who was that?”

Victoria smiled at me and tossed the phone on the mattress. “Your stepmother. She invited us over for dinner.”

My stomach dropped into an endless free fall. “Tonight?”

An exaggerated eye roll preceded her sarcastic answer. “No. Next year.” A pillow hit my face. “Yes, tonight. We’ve been in bed too long. Get up. You can take me to my cottage on the way.”

Fine.

But before any of that would happen, I yanked her into the shower, claiming and ravaging her body until she shattered into a million pieces. And then I did it again.

The drive out to Briarcliff Village was enjoyable. Victoria messed around with my radio, playing DJ until she found something she liked, which always seemed to be pop music from the late nineties.

About ten minutes before we arrived at the cottage, she got a text.

“My dad’s here.” Her voice softened. “Can we stop at Black Rose first? He’s there with Ray and Dawn.”

Forget free fall. My stomach collapsed into oblivion. Introducing her to my family was a big enough challenge. Meeting her father?

Not ready for that at all.

“Of course we can.”

I noticed a tiny smile when she saw my discomfort.

Black Rose Tavern was fairly empty at this time of day. The lunch crowd was already gone, so just a few people sat at the bar. Dawn saw us and beelined over, engulfing Victoria in a massive hug.

“I have missed this beautiful face,” she exclaimed, cupping Victoria’s cheeks. “You are glowing. Told you he was a charmer.”

“You flatter me, Dawn.” I grinned when she ruffled my hair.

“Is my dad still here? He texted me a few minutes ago.”

“Yes.” Dawn turned and waved someone over. “He’s been waiting for you.”

She hugged Victoria and looked at me. Something in her eyes gave me pause, like she was privy to specific information and I wasn’t.

I almost fired off a snarky comment but was halted by the sight of an older gentleman walking our way.

Tall, well-dressed, salt and pepper hair.

A weird sensation swooped through my body.

I recognize this man.

“Hello sweetheart,” he said, wrapping Victoria in a warn hug. “Congratulations on a successful game. Quite a stressful one at that.”

“A win is a win. Even the ugly ones.”

The man looked at me, a pleasant smile reflecting in his eyes. “Trevor Chase.” He offered his hand. “Not sure if you remember me. We met a few weeks ago in here.”

Victoria’s jaw dropped, meeting mine on the floor.

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