Page 53 of The Penalty

I cupped my hand behind Victoria’s head and pulled her close. “It’ll be more than amazing,” I murmured, brushing my mouth along the column of her neck. Her pulse fluttered under my lips. “Especially since you’ll be there with me.” I kissed her before she could say anything. Not a chaste kiss either. A full-on fucking kiss. Deep and passionate. The kind that leads to dirty deeds in public places.

Victoria went limp when I pulled back. Her dazed expression intensified when I bit down on her lip.

“Tou-fucking-ché,” Killian muttered.

Max dabbed his forehead with a napkin. “So, uh, when does your soccer season start, Xavier?”

“Mandatory training begins week after next. Then I have a couple of international matches. One in France, one at home.”

“Paris?” Killian perked up.

“Yes.”

My phone vibrated while the lads talked around me about shopping and cafés and French pastries.

Bennet: We have a problem

I tensed. This shit again. It’s been a couple weeks since the party at the Caldwell Estate. The whole Jordan situation quieted down once he left Manhattan. Still not sure why he’d come here.

That’s the problem. The not knowing. At least when I punched him and knocked him out I knew he retaliated by confronting Victoria.

Now?

I clenched my jaw. Maybe Bennet was right. Victoria needed someone to watch over her while I was away. I can’t leave her exposed to whatever Jordan might have up his sleeve.

I started typing a reply.

“Are you going to Paris for the game, Victoria?” Maxim asked.

“I’m planning to. We have a preseason game that week so I’ll fly out after that. It’ll probably be a quick trip.”

Me: Something that needs attention now or can it wait?

Bennet: Sooner rather than later

Me: Is he here?

Bennet: No. Alex has some information

Me: Will it hurt her?

Bennet: Can you talk?

“Xavier.”

I looked up, unsure of who said my name. All three of them watched me.

“Texting your hot friends?” Killian sounded bored.

“Yeah,” I muttered, sending another reply while fighting back my instinct to find McKennie and rip him apart.

Me: Not now. At dinner with Tori

Apprehension, anger, and the inability to control this situation burned through my blood. The warmth of Victoria’s hand covered my thigh, soothing some of the unease. How she manages to relax me with a single touch is unreal.

“Everything alright?” she asked.

No. “Just an annoying situation.”

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