Page 85 of Playboy Billionaire

“Shut up!” he waved the gun around erratically. “Don’t say that.”

Penelope’s entire body trembled, and her hands were clammy with sweat. “Okay, I’m sorry. We’ll do it your way.”

“You’re so beautiful…” He caressed her cheek with the barrel of his gun. “He was your first, wasn’t he? That maggot senator took your virginity. And to think it was because of me that your paths crossed in the first place. I’ve had to live with that.”

Penelope stayed silent.

His face reddened and he screamed, “He had you first. Didn’t he!”

She nodded her head slowly, “Yes.”

“That son of a bitch. I should have stopped him back then.”

“You can’t control who someone else loves, how do you think you could have stopped us?”

“You only thought you loved him because he conned you…he took advantage of your innocence.”

“I’ll admit that I was young and stupid, but I was an escort for God’s sake. That hardly made me a saint.”

“Oh, but you were, you were my angel. I should have acted back then. I let the wolves strip you. I could have prevented it. He made you into his whore. I would have treated you like the priceless treasure that you were.”

“Josh, please, listen, I know you love me but you’re scaring me right now.”

“There is no need to fear me if you just do what I say.”

Penelope fought to keep from hyperventilating. Her voice sounded weak and wavering as she tried to reason with him. “I can’t go with you right now. It’s an incredibly generous offer, I know you’re trying to look out for me, but I’m in the middle of a project, I can’t let everyone down. At least let me finish what I started. Then we can see where this takes us. We have a lot to catch up on.”

“Are you in love with that billionaire co-star the tabloids have been linking you with?”

“No!” she said sharply, not wanting him anywhere near Griffin.

His lips twisted, “Did I strike a nerve?”

“No, I just don’t want anyone hurt.”

“They won’t be, as long as you cooperate. Their fate is in your hands now Penelope. Make it simple. Do the right thing. Come with me.”

Penelope’s stomach roiled. She was sure she was going to be sick. Summoning up all her acting skills and courage, she made another attempt to reason with him, praying for a miracle. “After I finish with the film, we can start making our plans together. Even though it sounds like a dream to up and walk away, I can’t be spontaneous.” Her mind was going a mile a minute, turning over escape plans that she quickly discarded as futile.

“This offer is non-negotiable. I’m not stupid, Penelope.”

She looked up at him through her lashes and smiled, “Are you kidding me? I know how brilliant you are. Owning a billion-dollar tech company before you were even thirty? That’s amazing.”

“I’d suggest you grab a few things for the trip. Just enough to get you through the next day or so. I’ll buy you whatever you need after that. I have my private jet on standby, waiting for us. Be quick, it’s time.”

Penelope saw a movement on the back patio.Griffin.Be careful, she said silently. She got up and started pacing to keep Josh distracted.

“Quit pacing and get your things, now!”

He pointed his gun toward the hallway, “Let’s go.”

He followed her to her bedroom.

40

Griffin couldn’t shake a feeling of dread as he paced his living room.Fuck it, I’m going back to the party and force her to talk.He ran out the door and jumped into his Audi. He felt a sense of urgency that he couldn’t explain.

When he arrived at the Butler house the party was still in full swing. His eyes searched the room, but he couldn’t find Penelope. Spying Dolly, he made his way over to her.

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