Page 33 of The Penalty

Her words burned themselves into my skin that day on the beach. I’ll spend the rest of my life fulfilling all her fantasies.

Fucking Noah Tate passed by and grinned at me while I walked toward the hall. I turned in time to see him start up a conversation with my girlfriend. My hand clenched.

He’s not a threat. Let it go.

When we left the solarium and paused in the main hallway, Bennet vocalized what I already sensed.

“McKennie’s here.”

And now my night is ruined.

“Are you sure?”

Bennet showed me the text.

Alex: In Manhattan. Tell Maddox

“How long?” I asked.

“A few days. Alex says he’s been spending time at an office building in the financial district.”

“What building? I’m putting an end to this. If he goes anywhere near her again—”

“No you’re not.” Bennet’s broad-shouldered frame filled my view. “Let Alex handle it.”

I thought back to what Adam told me. He’s planning something.

“Any idea what he wants or why he’s here?”

“Not yet.”

Aggravation tunneled through my veins. I turned my attention back toward the solarium, scanning the crowd until Victoria came into view. She was still talking to Noah.

The sight of her calmed me. All the bullshit swirling around me fell away until we were the only two people who existed.

As long as I’m with her, nothing else mattered, not even knowing Jordan was in New York. In this moment, I no longer gave a shit. He wants to try and torture me with fabricated lies about what happened years ago? Let him. I’d love to see how far he gets. My only fucking priority was her.

“Xavier.” Bennet’s demanding tone irked me.

Reluctantly, I tore my eyes away from Victoria in time to see his expression cloud with displeasure.

I stared back, bored. “What.”

“Don’t do anything stupid.”

“You sound like a broken record.” I left without hesitation and returned to the only person I wanted to be with tonight.

Besides, she’s spent enough time socializing with the Legends quarterback.

“…happy to help get things rolling. I love that idea,” Tracey was saying as I wrapped an arm around Victoria’s waist.

“Get things rolling for what?” I asked.

Victoria placed her hand on my stomach and looked up at me. “Remember when I mentioned starting a foundation in Charlotte’s memory?”

I nodded.

“Tracey and Noah offered to brainstorm ideas. Tracey is a veterinarian and has quite a few contacts at shelters across the area who might benefit from donations for animal welfare.”

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