Page 77 of The Penalty

What remained of my driver’s side window lay shattered on the asphalt.

Xavier

“Is she alright?”

My pulse spiked, eradicating any remnants of sleep. I couldn’t get these fucking jeans on fast enough.

“She’s upset.” Bennet’s reassuring tone didn’t help. I grabbed my keys and a shirt, and ran down to my car. The alarm beeped when I unlocked it.

“Xavier, it’s four in the morning. What are you—”

“Not now, mate.” I ended the call and dialed Victoria’s number.

“I’m fine,” she answered.

“You don’t sound fine.” I clipped my phone to the holder, put her on speaker, and sped toward the motorway. Not quite sure where I’d end up yet.

That’s a fucking lie. Jordan won’t know what hit him.

“I’m not hurt or anything. Just shaken up a bit.”

“Tell me everything.”

An aggravated sigh preceded her description of events. “I was out with Hannah. We had dinner. She took me back to the stadium and that’s when I found my car smashed up.”

So much for the state of the art security systems at the New York Legends facility. How the fuck did they not see a random person roaming through the car park?

I get it. It’s a stadium and there’s a shop for fans to buy jerseys and other team shit but that doesn’t mean anyone gets to walk over to where the executives park. Especially since that lot is gated.

“I want you to come directly here tomorrow. Fuck Miami.”

“You’re being ridiculous. And where are you going? I know you’re driving.”

“I have to take care of something.” I’m going to kill him.

“In the middle of the night? That’s crazy. Go home.”

“No.” I pressed down on the accelerator. The streets were empty. Nobody will care if I run a few red lights.

Reality narrowed into a razor thin focus. Someone threatened her. They won’t get away with it. I refuse to let anyone hurt her.

The muscles in my arms ached from pushing against the steering wheel, willing the car to move faster. Lights and buildings flew by in a blur. I swerved around one car, pushing the accelerator down as far as it would go.

Squealing tires screeched just as a horn blew. I barely made it through the intersection without being hit.

“Xavier, please stop.” Victoria’s panicked plea arrowed straight into my heart.

Listen to her, my brain screamed.

Sucking in a breath brought clarity back to the world.

Too fast. I’m going too fast.

I yanked my foot off the accelerator and felt the car slow down. When I found a safe place to pull over and park, I cut the engine.

“Tori? Are you still there?” My heart thundered, slipping into an erratic rhythm. Oxygen. I needed more oxygen. “Answer me.”

“I’m here,” she responded in a dull tone. “Go home before you get hurt.”

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