Page 240 of On a Fault Line

Five body bags get carried out. “Five?”

Graham clears his throat. “The receptionist got caught in the crossfire and caught a bullet from one of the lookalikes’”—he stops and shakes his head in disgust—“I mean, twins’ guns.”

I nod.

“She had a wad of cash on her,” Nic explains, “and probably was paid off.”

“Makes sense. They had easy access to the entire wing where I discovered Penny.”

“I have to give it to Tanner,” Graham says with a half laugh. “He sure was able to keep his brothers and nephew a secret. I had no clue he had any living family members.”

Penny makes a high-pitched squeal, causing us all to look.

The EMT at least looks apologetic as she goes to work on cleaning up Penny’s wounds.

I make my way back over to her, hopping up on the gurney with her and tucking her to my side. It feels oddly natural to be this close to her in public, and I dare anyone to ask me to move.

Both Graham and Nic can’t help but stare at me holding their baby sister. I refuse to let her go. I’m never going to let her go.

I don’t give a fuck if anyone thinks it’s wrong.

I love this girl.

And I’ll spend this next part of forever trying to prove to her that I’m worthy of her heart.

47

COLLINS

When I arrive at the Hoffmans’ residence in Hillsboro, I start to feel the nerves creep up my throat. I’m not used to being here under such tense circumstances, but I won’t let my fear of rejection squash the hope I have for my future.

In a short amount of time, Penny has burrowed herself under the icy layer in my heart and melted it with her grace, her witty humor, and her sensitive nature. She has stolen it and has kept it hostage from the moment she smiled at me during her birthday party just a few months ago, and it has been a defining moment in my life.

It was during that time spent with Penny that I saw her less as a broken girl who needed saving and more as the spirited girl who could save me.

Everyone deserves someone like her in their life, and I’m damn lucky she decided to even put her energy into pursuing me.

And she relentlessly sought me out.

Why? I’ll never know.

Now she’s the only thing I could ever want, and I’ll be absolutely miserable if I don’t fight for her now like she has fought for us in the past.

I just need to get her family on board so I don’t have to stumble through life anymore with crippling guilt weighing me down.

Cutting my engine, I slide out of the driver’s side and step onto what I hope is neutral soil.

The last visit at this residence was for Labor Day, and just thinking about that time I spent with Penny seems like a lifetime ago.

Walking up to the front door, I’m surprised when it opens before I even have an opportunity to knock.

Donna Hoffman greets me in a warm hug.

I wrap my arms around her and savor the comfort.

Hugs are weird. You don’t realize you need one as badly as you do, until someone offers you one. I’m thankful for Donna to see me when I’m struggling to see myself.

“I am glad you are here, Collins.”

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