Page 62 of Oblivion

I snatched my arm away from his placating touch and turned to Dante. Seemed that we both weren’t happy with the situation; he looked as murderous as I felt.

“You knew about this?” I asked.

Dante pursed his lips and nodded.

Well, that explained his shitty mood.

“It’s just while the campaign runs. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you,” Paul reasoned.

While he made it seem as if he had my best interests at heart, this was all about him. Always had been, always would be. Sure, he was trying to make amends after the revelation of the DNA test, but now that the truth was out, his affection seemed somewhat forced.Faked.

With a heavy sigh, he rubbed his hand over his thinning hair. “Look, Penelope, I know we’re not on the best terms right now, but know this; no matter what a stupid piece of paper says, you’ll always be my daughter and you will always mean the world to me.”

“And yet, you’re sending me away!” I cried.

When we left the house, I was under the impression this was nothing more than a follow-up meeting to close my case. Not an ambush to ship me off to the other side of the country.

“For your own safety!”Paul exclaimed, shooting Jackson and Dante an apologetic glance after the outburst.

My heart was torn between resenting him and seeing reason. After a short standoff where no one uttered a word, I huffed as exhaustion bore down.

“Fine. Just—”

A low-toned voice cut me off, and everyone’s attention cut to Dante. “Thereisone other option.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

Dante

I didn’t know what I was thinking, nor did I know where the suggestion came from, but the millisecond the words,“There is one other option,”passed my lips, I knew I was screwed.

Three pairs of eyes pinged my way, and I had no option but to follow through since I’d interrupted the conversation.

“And what’s that?” Paul snapped.

Jackson’s eyes narrowed on me. I leaned my forearms on the desk and set my booted feet firmly on the ground.

“Well, Penny doesn’t want to go to Virginia, and quite frankly, neither do I. I suggest relocating her to my loft. It’s in a secure building. No one can get in or out without a key card. There’s a gym on site, and—”

“Moving in with you?” Paul scoffed with scorn that straight-up offended me. “Not a chance.”

I held up a hand and squeezed my eyes closed for a quick moment. “Wait. So you’re okay with us moving in together inVirginia,but are dead against it in your hometown? You’d rather put us both out and send us six hours away than hear me out?”

His face darkened as the rationality of my suggestion sank in. Jackson hummed and flicked his eyes between me and Penny.

“Penelope, is this something you’d be open to? It would mean you get to stay in San Diego. However, you’ll still be required to stay home with Dante, and not leave the building without him.”

Penny looked directly at me. “Will the girls be allowed to visit?”

I knew it was a bad idea, but I found myself saying, “Sure, from time to time. However, it willnotbecome the new girl pad.”

Her mouth twitched, until I added, “And we get up at zero-five-thirty every morning to work out.”

“What is the living and bedroom situation?” Paul interjected.

Barely holding back an eye roll, I steepled my fingers and forced

away the annoyance.

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