Page 131 of On a Fault Line

Jumping up from the table, she runs into the house through the basement door and returns with some printer paper and a pen.

“When inspiration hits,” Claire says with a giggle, “we waste no time.”

Nic bends forward to kiss her on her hairline. “I hope you know how proud I am of you ladies.”

“Yes, I agree. You have really found your path,” Graham says with pride.

Penny’s eyes connect with mine, and I can only hope I portray my emotions appropriately. She wipes at her mouth, and tries to hide a smile.

Good.

I’m proud of you too, Princess.

But the moment is ruined when Ivan decides to put a hand around Penny’s shoulders.

So I up the speed on her vibrator for a pulse, causing her to be visibly uncomfortable.

Good.

I count the seconds—nine in total—she leaves his hand there before she excuses herself from the table, most likely to be polite and make his unwanted attention less awkward.

“Good girl,” I whisper to her as she passes by me.

She ignores me. So I give her extra attention with the remote control, making her have a different walking stride with the change in rhythms. As she looks over her shoulder, I pat my pocket and watch as the color in her cheeks changes.

Then I crank up the juice and watch her squirm.

Sliding from his seat, Ivan takes the similar path as Penny.

“Can I have a word with you?” I ask confidently, causing him to stop in his tracks.

“Yeah, sure.”

Moving over to underneath the deck, I rotate my body so I can still see my surroundings.

The sun has basically set, and I’m counting down the minutes until I can take Penny back to my place and have my way with her wicked sex drive.

“Penny’s been through a lot this past year. The last thing she needs is a speed bump in her progress.”

“I can look out for Penny,” he says simply. “We have a past.”

“A fictional one you made up in your head. She won’t be one of your disposable women. You have quite the dating history.”

“Why do you care?”

“Because the Hoffmans are under my protection, and I don’t take my job lightly.”

Fireworks from a nearby holiday festival echo in the air, causing everyone to look up in the sky to see where they are being set off.

Ivan and I separate, and I go to find Penny.

“What did you say to him?” she asks.

“I told him to stay away from you, and that you won’t be one of his numerous take-and-toss women he has dated in the past.”

“When did you have time to look that up?”

“It’s not difficult when the showboater loves to post his face and who he is with on social media.”

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