Page 118 of Oliver

Just how much danger is he in?

Staring at the wall, I whisper, “Do you even want to be with me?”

“What are you going on about now? I don’t have time for this—“

“Make time,” I say, standing and slamming my hand on my hip.

His eyes cool and I smile bitterly because he’s retreating, again. “Why?” he asks.

“Because! It matters to me,” I shout, and he scowls.

“Quiet.”

“Fuck that. Why am I here, Oliver?” I demand.

With a grimace, he says, “Because there’s nowhere else for you to go.”

“No? The Sinners don’t want me?” I mock.

“You don’t get it, Penny. They don’t get it. You’re safer here until I can figure out this mess,” he growls.

“Is this real?” I ask, waving between us and he raises burning eyes to mine.

His mouth opens, closes and he shakes his head. My stomach burns and I push back the threat of tears. He can lie all he wants but I wouldn’t fucking be here if he didn’t care.

“Yes,” he finally says. “But don’t create something out of nothing, Penny.”

“Which means what?”

“You heard, Ramsay.”

Ramsay? Ah yes, if Oliver wanted me, I would already be his. That’s a perfectly cruel thing to say, from both of them. But what did I expect?

They’re both assholes.

“Just stay here,” he mutters, and I whip around.

“Where are you going?” I ask. Surely, he’s not going to leave me here.

“I’ll be back.”

That’s all he says, and I stare at the door, he shut behind him before flopping back on the mattress. He just left me alone with his fucking mother.

Seriously?

Oliver

It was cruel to leave Penny that way, but I don’t need her all up in my head while I do this. Besides, I’m still in the game until I can get myself out, which is a long shot.

Knowing I’ve put her in danger changes everything. As long as she’s affiliated with me, she’s at risk. I won’t subject Penny to what Diem is no doubt inevitably going to do to Maeve. Just because she’s locked up in Ramsay’s mansion doesn’t mean she’s safe.

All it takes is Diem messing with the wrong guy and she could end up dead. Diem will protect her, I don’t doubt but you can’t be everywhere all the damn time.

Whatever. I can’t do this right now and as the bars close behind me with an audible clang, I shake images of Penny’s teary eyes from my mind.

Dad can sniff out weakness a mile away.

As I approach, he raises a brow. Gritting my teeth, I drop onto the hard metal seat across from him.

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