Page 148 of On a Fault Line

“Do what you need to do,” Graham says, “but don’t let Penny know too much about the process or she’ll have ample reason to try to divert the watch. That’s the last thing we need.”

I nod in agreement. I’m all too familiar with Penny’s view on a security detail. It was her reckless behavior that made it easier to get into this contract predicament in the first place.

The only way to keep that girl safe is to make sure she’s within reach.

Unfortunately, I can’t always be there to watch her every move and must find trust in the backup guard.

Chris may have seen a lot during his military days, but I doubt anything could fully prepare him for Penelope Hoffman. He saw a glimpse of her in action at Limit-X, but even then, he had me to orchestrate getting her safely back home.

“Is everything set for today?” Nic asks, changing the subject.

“Yes. I’m going to drop off a payment installment near the prison and get this ball rolling. The faster we can get Tanner into an altercation, the better. I’m getting impatient as fuck.”

“Tanner’s life clock is ticking,” Nic says with a snarl.

I crack my knuckles. “And his death couldn’t come soon enough.”

* * *

It takes me a solid four seconds to look at the trio of giggling women in the kitchen and know what they are plotting—and it’s not a Crock-Pot meal.

“No girls gone wild nights,” I say firmly, speaking for Graham and Nic. There’s no way they would approve of their women going out, especially with everything going on right now, so I feel confident being the spokesperson.

Yet, I am worried. These ladies look so determined, and if there’s anything I shouldn’t do, it is to underestimate them. I wouldn’t put it past them to use sexual favors to get their way.

Penny, for sure, would resort to anything to defy me—that’s a given.

“We will keep it tame,” Claire insists.

Lies.

When Angie and Claire aren’t paying attention, I pull Penny aside near the refrigerator. “You are not accepting an invite for a girls’ night. So start practicing how you will let them down, because you are not dirty dancing in a club while I sit back and watch.”

“No one is saying youjusthave to watch, Collins. You can join in too. There’s always room on the dance floor.”

My eyes penetrate into hers, hoping to see what she is really thinking.

I can tell she wants to run, and I hope she understands that I’m always calculating how fast I could get to her if she were to decide to be that ballsy.

A headache is already starting from the pressure to keep this girl safe and the revelation that someone is managing to send her mail from the prison. I feel on edge and in a volatile state with my emotions. The last thing I need is to chaperone a wild night out.

Nope.

This is where I draw the line.

“You’re not going.”

I glance over and see Angie and Claire move into the other room, probably to find their men, leaving Penny and me alone.

“I always heard amazing things about make-up sex,” she whispers.

“Have you now?”

Where is she going with this…

“Do you think we could use girls’ night as a little edging experiment, and then afterward fuck like horned-up bunnies to make up for all of the tension we had to endure? I like the idea of you going all feral and treating me like your slutty piece of real estate.”

My eyes darken. “I don’t think I’m physically able to guard you and keep our little secret when I’m certain other men will be wanting to shoot their shot with you.”

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