Page 70 of As Thick As Thieves

“I’ll be fast.”

“Pee in the bushes,” he said seriously, making me snort.

“Stone’s busy with Knox, and I know where the bathroom is. If I sneeze, it’s all over for this car seat and my dignity,” I deadpanned, his lips twitching with amusement.

“Fine. I’ll come with you.”

“Jesus Christ, Stone’s not going to murder me in the bathroom, and if he tells me I can’t use his toilet, I’ll guilt trip him with him selling me out. I’m fine,” I snapped, climbing out and shutting the door. “I don’t need a babysitter in there.”

“Be fast,” he warned, returning to his conversation while eyeing me as I made my way across the yard. I knew the code now, so I let myself in through the front door and scampered through the quiet compound, shutting myself in the bathroom and relieving my bladder. Best tinkle I’d ever had. Five stars.

Once I’d washed my hands, I opened the bathroom door and started walking along the hallway, a hand suddenly darting out to cover my mouth as I was pulled into a room, the panic only lasting a second until I was surrounded with the scent of Stone’s cologne. When I didn’t fight him, he removed his hand and I turned around, his calculating eyes assessing me. He didn’t speak, and I let out a huff.

“What? I needed to pee. Surely you’re not going to get mad because I used your bathroom.”

“I know. I’m not mad. I’ve been trying to get you to come and see me all week, if I’d have known a nice toilet would’ve convinced you, I would’ve offered it sooner,” he said dryly.

“If I’m not back outside in a minute or two, Drake will—”

“I’m not trying to hold you hostage, I only need a minute,” he bit out, some of his frustration seeping through. “I just wanted to apologize to your face. I’m fucking sorry, Penelope. I wanted you gone, but I didn’t want you hurt, not really.”

“I can’t do this with you,” I tried to say firmly, but my voice cracked a fraction, and I took a step back from him, which only put me further into his room. Not that I could get past him to escape anyway.

“I fucked up,” he said calmly, moving towards me but keeping his hands where I could see them. “I know I can’t take back what happened, but I just need to know that you’re okay.”

“Do I look okay?” I laughed bitterly, motioning to myself. “People are trying to blow me up and shoot me.”

“I’ll find them and make them pay,” he growled, and I flinched when he took my face in his hands. “You don’t have to believe me, but I’ve got your back, okay? You never deserved my hate, and I’ll keep saying sorry until one day, maybe you’ll believe me.” I didn’t move, holding his gaze as he stepped closer, one of his hands leaving my face to rake through my tangled, damp hair. “If you need me, just call.”

“Stone—” I lifted a hand to push him away, but my fingers gripped his shirt as if to keep him close.

“Let me,” he murmured. “Can I see your back? The guys said it was bad. Is it healing?”

My body leaned into him, but my brain screamed at me to get away, and finally, my feet started moving to put some distance between us. “You’re not allowed to give a shit now. It was your fault to begin with. You didn’t mark my skin with your hands, but you might as well have when you handed me over to him. You don’t know what it was like in that dark basement. He didn’t let me bathe once in the entire month, you know? I got a sponge bath when he decided to sell me, but that was it. No fresh clothes, nothing to eat or drink other than stale bread and water that he made me lick off the fucking floor. He treated me like an animal, and then he whipped me and degraded me, all while I had hope that the guys would show up and save me.”

“Penn—”

“I’m not finished,” I bit out, surprised when he clamped his mouth shut and let me continue. “The day he decided to sell me, he dragged me out of the basement and through the house I’d always called home. He let his friends say cruel things to me, inflicting fear into me that I’d spend the rest of my life being raped and used. You have no idea what it’s like to feel paralyzed by fear. It’s a rich man’s world, Stone, and women hold no place in it. They bid on me. Shouting out prices as if I was nothing but cattle. Do you know how terrifying and humiliating that is?”

“I know the fear you felt,” he said softly, remorse all over his face.

“No, you don’t. You’re a man in a man’s world,” I scoffed, and he shook his head slightly as he finally turned towards the door, opening it and speaking quietly.

“I do, Penn. Maybe one day you’ll give me the chance to tell you about it. Remember to keep your eyes open and make mental reports wherever you go. That shit will keep you alive.” He walked off, leaving his bedroom door open for me to leave, and I quickly shut it as I headed back outside, almost running into Drake as I swung open the front door.

“There you are. What took so long?” he demanded, no longer on the phone as he glanced around behind me.

“I had to shit,” I lied, taking his hand and pulling him towards the car. “Is Knox done yet?”

“I haven’t heard from him.”

“I’m getting hungry.” I just wanted to get the fuck away from here before I did something stupid like go back inside and ask Stone what the fuck he’d been talking about. Then we’d both get in trouble.

“Once we’re home, we can shower, and I’ll make you some food. Promise,” he smiled, kissing my cheek and leaning against the car, pulling me between his legs. “I’m sorry today went to shit. I was really enjoying spending time with you.”

“Me too. Thanks for taking me out,” I replied, standing on tiptoe and giving him a kiss as his hands slid around my waist to grab my ass through Knox’s massive shirt.

“Anything for my girl.”

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