Page 8 of If Our Hearts Collide

“Fuck,” I say under my breath. This is news to me.

“Oh, I guess I forgot to mention that.”

Things are starting to make more sense now.

And if Penny were mine, I’d be tightening up security on her as well and forbidding her from ever stepping foot in that prison.

What the hell was she thinking going to a place full of criminals—alone for that matter? She was probably a feast for every bastard’s eyes who was fortunate enough to catch a look. If I have any say about it, I’ll never allow that girl to get that close to her abuser again.

“Fuck is right,” Nic echoes. “Why Penny found the need to go see Tanner for the closure he’ll never give her is beyond my understanding.” He runs his hands over his head, settling them against the back of his neck. “Do you see why we are stressed out? The stunt she pulled was her last burst at freedom, as far as I’m concerned. She better be happy I don’t lock her away until the world is a less damaging place. Because if my Claire ever did something like that…”

I nod. I get it. Men in our positions protect those we love, and there’s no denying the love the Hoffman family has for their youngest.

Graham clears his throat. “Penny is naive and too trusting. Plus, I think she is going to try to move out of our parents’ house?—”

“Which neither of us approve of,” Nic interrupts.

“Already?” It seems like she just got there. Why the rush?

Graham nods for emphasis. “She wants to be ‘independent.’” He adds air quotes aroundindependent.

“She wants to be off on her own, doing who knows what. I honestly half expect her to do a repeat visit on Tanner.”

“Damn…” I’ll never allow it. I feel the tic in my jaw starting, as my heart rate elevates. “Did he threaten her?”

“I can’t see how he didn’t,” Nic says. “I doubt he could resist.”

Graham clears his throat. “Given the state of mind Penny was in while waiting for us to come get her, I’d say she was threatened more than she’s letting on. She was so shaken up and vocalized to us that Tanner was coming for her. She also fears having to testify.”

“Did any of our insiders catch the conversation?” I inquire further.

“Doubtful,” Graham concludes.

“His entire empire was dismantled,” I confirm. And I had a large part in that destruction. “There’s not a credit card trailor even a whisper suggesting he has anyone willing to risk life in prison or death just to lay their loyalty at the altar of Mark fucking Tanner. He has no one.”

“Penny doesn’t trust us to handle this,” Graham says, his tone that of defeat. “She’s terrified, and I hate seeing her like this.”

Nic paces. “That fucker doesn’t need to be in her head anymore. We handled it. He’s not going to get out in this lifetime—with or without going to court.”

“She’s our baby sister, and we just want her to be safe but not smothered,” Graham expresses. “If that makes sense. Protect her, but don’t let on to the extent of which you are providing the protection.”

I nod, absorbing all the information they are sharing with me. I am still reeling inside over the fact she went to the prison unaccompanied. What is wrong with her? What did she really expect to accomplish from something so impulsive?

Penny barely got out of Soulful Mind, just to go and do something reckless in return. If this is how she’s choosing to spend her free time, then she damn well better get a hobby. I’m not going to put up with her desire to run straight into danger with open arms.

“So you don’t want twenty-four-hour surveillance?”

“No,” Graham confirms with a chuckle. “That seems a bit excessive, especially when your other assignment will be some waste management duties.”

He’s referring to my ability to set up “accidents” for anyone that double-crosses them. “Understood.”

“Besides, Penny isn’t as adventurous as my Angie.”

“And she can’t be worse than my Claire,” Nic interjects.

My lips form a line, as I think about the potential requirements. If I’m going to do my job well, I better understandthe full scope of services needed. “Credit card statements retrieved?”

“Nah,” Graham says, pushing hair off his forehead, “at least not at this moment. But if she starts dating…”

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