Page 149 of On a Fault Line

“As long as they don’t shoot their loads…”

“Penny,” I hiss.

“Just kidding.”

“I’m being serious.”

“Maybe you won’t have to guard me.”

I know I make a face. Is she for real? But I humor her anyway. “And why not?”

“You’ve taught me a dozen or more self-defense lessons over the course of the past few weeks.”

“I have. But I don’t leave things precious to me in vulnerable positions to be taken away from me, Princess.”

Her expression tightens, marring her once calm expression. “Don’t you get it? There was an entire year where I didn’t get to experience life. I was trapped in a mental prison, where the only key that would open the lock was the truth.” Choking back tears, she straightens her posture, and instantly, I want to hug her to me. “I need to live my life to the fullest and not constantly fear my own shadow.”

“Let me think about it.”

We walk into the living room, joining the girls with the Hoffman men.

“We will keep it Disney,” Claire promises Nic. “Rated G.”

Nic stands beside me, and I’m silently relieved that I’ll have support on this cause. We think a lot alike when it comes to privacy and security.

“No,” he says flatly.

“Just let it marinate at least,” Penny pleads.

Nic looks at his little sister like she is on his last nerve. I can so relate. “I need you to keep a low profile, Penny. There’s going to be a lot of things happening over the next few weeks, and I need you safe.”

“Like what type of things?” she challenges.

If it wasn’t for my own concerns over her safety, I’d feel refreshed that someone else is on the receiving end of her attitude. But I’m not. Instead, I’m stressed and ready to lock this princess up.

Penny props her hands on her hips, poking out her bottom lip. “You aren’t even giving us a chance to prove you wrong.”

“We are never wrong,” Graham says, making Nic and me chuckle. He’s not usually the one to lighten the mood, so it catches us off guard. “You ladies are predictably a disaster out in public where music and margaritas are active catalysts in your often impulsive plan.”

It’s true. And none of us need this added anxiety to tack on to the day.

I just spent the better part of an hour going over prison layouts, looking at surveillance video, and cross-referencing employee schedules. The last thing I want to do tonight is have a migraine from worrying over Penny being out in public, making inevitably bad choices.

And unfortunately, I need to drop off a bag of cash as discreetly as possible to a prison contact who will be doing us all a huge favor.

Mark Tanner is going to be taking a little trip to the hospital for an unfortunate injury. It’s going to be tragic when he doesn’t make it back to good health in time for his trial.

Poor guy…

But at least he’ll be attending his own funeral.

I just need the driver of the prison transportation to understand his responsibilities prior to getting to Portland General Hospital. And I need a solid alibi for every member of the Hoffman family.

“You guys look stressed,” Angie responds. “Maybe if you all had a fun poker night, we could relax at a club.”

“The last time I hosted a big poker game,” Graham says, pulling his wife into his side, “you decided to take out your aggressions on?—”

“Your bitchy ex-girlfriend who deserved every scratch and bruise I served up to her.”

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