Page 169 of If Our Hearts Collide

“Right,” I mumble. Then I do what I do best—ignore boundaries and provide assistance. “Too bad you are getting it anyway.”

She tugs the side panels to her chest, crossing her arms in the process. “Is this what biggie bro and less biggie bro pay you for?”

Not exactly. But clearly, they should. Not that it would have changed anything, but I wish I had some warning that Penny can’t handle alcohol and also has the interest of a teenager when it comes to sex. I can’t predict what she will say n?—

Turning her bright blue eyes to me, she stops my heart and my inner monologue. “Do you think I’m sexy?”

Yes.Shit. No. I, um…

“It isn’t going to benefit the situation for me to respond to your questions, Penny.”

Letting out a huff, she taps her foot. “Your nonanswer is your answer, Collins.”

It takes everything in me not to hoist her over my shoulder and give her a spanking for how dangerous tonight could have been for her if our paths hadn’t crossed.

Sure, the club is a safe playground for exploring fantasies, but Penny would have been easy prey to anyone who would have noticed her condition.

And Chris couldn’t have done a damn thing about it—even if he did want inside the venue.

Neither money nor words would have given him access. I know this because I know Yuri and Michael, and I made sure that it was safe for someone like me, who values privacy and all things security, to enter.

I’m not shocked that Penny was allowed inside without any contract or vetting period. That’s the effect she has on others. She enchants them and lures them in with her sweet innocence.

Something tells me I may need to pay Michael a special visit. If he was enthralled enough to grant Penny access without a personal invite from a staff member, then he might have had ulterior motives.

She is off-limits.

She is not to be anyone’s little anything.

I shake my head over her drunken speech about pet names. I never really had a reason to call anyone an endearment before, but just listening to her rant, I can see how that can be counterproductive—and confusing.

I hold Penny’s waist firmly, as I escort her through the parking lot.

“You don’t need to walk me to my door,” Penny says with irritation as she watches me hit the button for her floor, while never pressing the one for my own. “It’s not like we will be fucking.”

I ignore her, making her stew even more, while we both exit the elevator. I just don’t think she quite understands that keeping her safe is my top priority—whether I’m getting paid for it or not.

Ever since I discovered that Penny was drugged, it became my personal vendetta to seek revenge for her. In a way, I’m living vicariously through her justice, as I was never able to receive it for those that did me wrong in the military.

Helping Penny not make stupid mistakes is a segment of that. I was naive back then too, but it was life’s cruelty that taught me to trust less and question more.

I follow Penny to her door and watch as she teeters on her heels. She tries the doorknob and then knocks. After several tries, she leans her back against the door and then slides down to the floor, crossing her arms over her chest and settling her face against her knees.

“Quit looking at me like that,” she snaps, making my lips curl into a half smile. “I’m just going to wait here until my roommate gets off work soon. I, unfortunately, left my keys and phone in the lockers at the club. Oh, and my dress.”

“Phew, at least you had more fabric to your outfit at one point.”

She growls at me. Actually growls.

As for her belongings, I figured as much on our way here. I know the rules of the club, and knowing how fast Penny wanted out of the place, it was easy for her to bypass the lockers.

I reach a hand down for her to take. “You are not waiting out here in the hall.”

“Luke will be here soon.”

“No, he won’t.”

Her eyes dart to mine, and the action causes her to flop her upper body onto the carpeted floor. “What?”

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