Page 150 of On a Fault Line

I stifle a smile. She sure is fierce.

All these women are—especially Penny. She’s understated and subtle about it though. But faced with a challenge, I know she’d be able to throw down.

She learned her moves from the best—me.

But by no means do I want to be separated from her while she gallivants around town—and I lose hands in poker because I’m obsessing over her.

With this added stressor of transporting a bag of money, I need a clear head so I don’t miss anyone following me or noticing anything out of place. I’ll even need to get a rental vehicle just as a precaution.

“Let’s table this discussion for now,” Graham says, giving me the look. He knows I’m on a strict timeline to make my discreet deposit.

“Penny, I need to talk to you.”

She looks over at me, her face marred with confusion. “It’s time to go?”

I nod.

“We would give you a ride back,” Graham explains, “but we need to swing by Dad’s office first and drop off our donation check. Then Angie has an appointment soon afterward.”

“Oh, for the charity event coming up?” she asks.

“Yes. Are you attending this year?”

I notice a sadness wash over Penny’s face. She couldn’t make it last year, but this year is different. She is stronger—stable.

“I’m going to try.”

Her dad’s ambitious efforts have continued to increase the overall donations every year to benefit the construction of community centers all over the state and the entire West Coast. It’s honorable to help fund the production of buildings that benefit every age group and socioeconomic status for the patrons that choose to enter through their doors.

Graham gives her a look. “Please don’t volunteer for the auction.”

“Why?” Then she crosses her hands in front of her chest. “I wasn’t planning on it.”

“The last thing I need is to fake bid on my sister so no rich idiot thinks you’re for sale.”

Wait. What? There’s a bachelorette auction? I better follow up on that later.

There’s no way in hell I’ll allow Penny to prance around on stage while some fuckers in the audience bid on her. I don’t really need the details on any of it. Every scenario I can think of sounds equally horrible.

We finish up our goodbyes and walk out together to the front porch.

Penny turns to me. Her beautiful, crystal-blue eyes melt whatever hardness I’m feeling over the meeting with her brothers. “What’s wrong?” she asks.

“What do you mean?” Am I really that obvious?

“You just look so tense.”

“I need Chris to take you back to my place. Something’s come up that I need to check on.” It’s a half-lie. I’ve been planning these steps for weeks now and agonizing over every little detail while biding my time.

“Does it have to do with Mark?”

I look away. I don’t want to continue to lie to her, but I also don’t want her to have a setback on her mental health. And that fucker has already created enough turmoil inside of this innocent girl. “I won’t let him threaten you, Penny.”

“So you’re going to visit him in prison?”

I let out an exaggerated breath. “I don’t want you worrying about anything. I have this under control.”

“But that’s why you are convinced I won’t have to testify. It’s because Mark is going to die beforehand?”

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