Page 13

13

PENNY

“Where are we going?” I ask, watching as Collins hits the button for the eleventh floor. “Are you taking me on a tour of this building? It’s going to probably storm, so shouldn’t we vacate and not go on a joy walk?”

“Have some trust in me, Penny.”

I do.

I don’t want to admit it, but I do.

Collins is like the sun, a constant and consistent source of comfort—even though he seems to be driving me to frustration on most days. He’s basically the most resourceful Boy Scout you would want to be stuck with in the middle of a disaster.

And deep down, I’m thankful he is here with me, and I’m not alone.

If anything, he’s a man of his word.

He says what he means and does what he says. There are no hidden messages.

I find it oddly refreshing.

Collins studies me, and it causes a stirring deep within my abdomen.

It’s his attention that unnerves me. No one has ever looked at me more than a glance, and here I stand rocking on my heels, while he seems to be memorizing all the parts of me that I have expertly hidden all these months.

His closeness knocks me off-balance.

He’s an enigma.

A contradiction between known chivalry and potential corruption…

And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to peel back the layers of Collins Stone and see what this man is all about.

When the doors open, I follow him out, then down the hallway. When he pulls his keys out of his pants pocket and places one into the lock, I’m dumbfounded.

“Coming inside?” Collins asks, punching in the code to disarm the security system on the wall.

“You live here?”

It’s a stupid question—even I know that. Who the hell else’s place would this be?

“I do.”

“Just a few floors above my new place?”

Collins shrugs, removing his shoes and placing them perfectly on the rack beneath the bench. I toe mine off and haphazardly kick them toward their final destination, which is nowhere particular and wherever they happen to land. Shaking his head at me, he takes them and neatly arranges them next to his.

It’s the simplest thing and yet there’s something so spellbinding about seeing the two pairs side by side.

My eyes connect back with Collins’s. “Talk about convenient,” I mutter, knowing his job has got to be easier now with me voluntarily this close.

I think about how he’ll be able to monitor my coming and going. He’ll know exactly who I invite over. And can even poll the neighbors about who knows what.

And then it dawns on me. “Hey!”

“What?”

My finger wags in front of his face. “Did you plan this?”

His lips curl up into a full-on smile, one I didn’t even think his facial muscles knew how to form, it’s that big.

He’s amused. And the realization that I caused him that level of happiness warms me from the inside out.

But I have to play it cool. “Don’t you dare smirk at me!” I poke my finger into his chest. Dayum, he has the muscles. “You did plan this!”

I knew it.

Taking several steps backward, he retreats from my accusation and makes his way toward the glass windows on the opposite side of the unit. I join him, feeling the coolness of the tiles under my bare feet.

My eyes focus in on a row of five little pots that are resting on a table.

Collins is a man of many things. Security expert… Neat freak executor… But a connoisseur of succulent plants was not something I could ever have predicted.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued.

My fingers trail along the boney leaves. Maybe Collins does have a nurturing bone in his body. His plants are well cared for and, more importantly, alive.

A distant flicker of light has me peering out the window at the angry, dark sky. It looks like the clouds are about ready to explode with an epic temper tantrum. I just hope everyone I love is safe. It’s going to be brutal.

“I’m a man of many skills, Penny,” Collins says with a chuckle, “but predicting the future is not one of them.”

“Then how?”

“It’s a coincidence. I knew you wanted to move to Portland, but I didn’t know where you would end up. I’m actually a bit surprised you found a unit so fast and signed rental agreements without even seeing the place.”

“I looked at many places in the city before I went to college. I knew that at this hefty price point, I wouldn’t be disappointed. But are you sure you didn’t hack my Internet and make it so that when I searched for apartments, only the ones you pre-approved of popped up in some type of cyberspace magical voodoo? Stop laughing at me. I bet Nic would have those capabilities.”

Collins tries to hide his grin by rubbing a hand over his mouth. “Maybe so. But you and I both know that Nic is a bit distracted right now.”

“Yeah, I agree, but I still know what you all are capable of. I’ve seen the eyes on Angie and Claire. You all probably get alerts every time they pee.”

He gives me a nod, not denying anything I spew. “Watching out for those we care about is a code we men live by, Penny. It’s best you get used to it.”

“But why do you care?”

I watch as Collins swallows, looking away but just for a second. “I cared the moment your brother found me and needed my services.”

“So it’s about the money? Maybe I can outbid my brothers and hire you to not watch over me.”

He bursts out into laughter. “Are you really trying to bribe me, poach from your brothers, and renegotiate what they have already put into place?”

I peek up at his face between my eyelashes. “Is it working?”

“No,” he states flatly.

I hold up two fingers, squeezing them together but leaving an inch. “But you are a little bit tempted?”

“No, Penny, and it’s a horrible idea.”

But is it?

I cross my arms over my chest. He is making me twitchy with anger. “Why is that so unreasonable?”

“Because I’m not doing this for the damn money, Pen. It’s never been about that.”

“Then why are you taking an assignment you obviously do not like?”

“Loyalty.”

Damn these men and their secret code of conduct. “I just hate that I’m in the middle of all of this.”

The loud cracking sound of thunder echoes through the room, causing my body to jerk.

It’s amazing how it can still be heard through the insulation and thick glass of the windows—but it can.

Shivers run up my spine, as goose bumps form on my arms.

My attention goes back to the windows, watching the rolling clouds darken and explode with rain.

“Is the power going to go off?” I ask, but more to myself.

“It might. We haven’t had a storm of this magnitude in a while, but most power lines are protected around here.”

I hate the dark. My mental demons find me there. Hell, they have no problem finding me in the light as well.

A loud buzz simultaneously sounds coming from our devices.

Collins grabs his phone and opens what appears to be the radar, running a hand through his hair.

“What’s wrong?” I’m afraid to look at my own phone, knowing it’s an issued warning.

I can see all the color wash out of his face. “It’s that, um…”

“No. Don’t sugarcoat it.” Worry fills my body. “Please.”

Sighing, Collins looks down at his phone and then back up at me. “There’s a possible tornado forming on the upper east side. It’s best that we prepare for the chance of one forming here.”

“Those are super rare for the Pacific Northwest.”

Collins nods in agreement. “They are, but still possible. The coastal states basically get three or four a year.”

“Why do you know so many things?”

He shrugs. “I love trivia.”

As soon as the words leave his mouth, our phones buzz again with the automatic alert system warning us to take safe shelter.

I quickly open up my messaging app to text Graham and Nic to make sure they are safe at their places. They respond within seconds that they are home. “My brothers already know I’m with you?”

“Yes,” he responds. Of course they do. “And safe.”

“What should we do?”

“The best place to be right now is away from the windows and preferably underground. I’m going to go gather some supplies, and we will make our way to the basement. A building with this type of modern architecture is almost always safe, but it’s best that we prepare for the what-ifs since we have the luxury to do so.”

I bite at my bottom lip as I try to think of the last time we had a storm this big. I can’t even remember. Collins grabs a backpack from the coat closet and starts tossing items inside. Bottled water, a few snacks, hand sanitizer, battery USB chargers, a pack of batteries, flashlights, and a fleece blanket.

I can’t tell if this all is just extra precaution or if this is how he prepares to do mundane tasks like go to the grocery store.

“I’ll go grab you some clothes,” he says, moving toward a hallway, “if you prefer to get into something comfier.”

Looking down at my sundress, I nod. I suppose I didn’t prepare for a potential crisis when I chose to wear this. I’m sure our building will be fine, but no one wants to get hit by flying glass or sucked out the window if it does touch down.

My feet stay cemented in their spot on the tiled floor until Collins returns with an armful of clothing. Accepting his offering, I hurry into the bathroom to change. Thunder booms through the room, startling me and pressuring me to move faster. The lights flicker, hinting to the realization that we will probably lose power after all.

I pull my dress over my head, folding it onto the vanity. I slide into the gray jogging pants and powder-blue T-shirt—both several sizes too big. I tie a knot into the bottom of my shirt, shrinking it in size, and cuff over the waistband of the pants several times to keep them from falling down.

I quickly use the toilet, wash my hands, and fix my hair into a messy bun. I join Collins at the door, slip on my flip-flops, and allow him to escort me out of his unit and into the already crowded hallway.

“We can’t take the elevator,” he says, opening the door to the stairwell and pulling me inside with him. “For one, I imagine other people are thinking the same thing. And also, it’s not safe to be stuck there in a true emergency.”

Groups of people are making their way down the concrete steps. We merge into the cluster, getting bumped into by the herd of people. He reaches for my hand, and I allow Collins to hold it as we descend to the next floor.

“You okay, Pen?” he asks, taking note of my appearance.

“I’m good.” It’s a half-truth.

By the sixth floor, I feel my blisters throbbing, and my breath is a staccato rhythm from all of the cardio. At least my mind is focusing more on the pain, rather than the way every random person bumping into me makes my skin crawl.

“Your feet.”

“I’ll be okay,” I say, trying to keep up the pace with the cluster of people.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s probably another weather alert, based on the mere mass of people trying to get to the bottom floors. I wish I could look up statistics right now on tornadoes hitting apartment buildings and see if any have gotten destroyed. However, right now, I’m trying to stay calm and focus on getting to where Collins is taking me.

“I’m going to carry you.”

“I’m fine,” I say, groaning as someone accidentally steps on my feet. “Ouch.”

“Put your arm around my neck, Pen,” he instructs, slowing down just so I can do as he says.

When I hesitate, Collins takes initiative, scooping me up into his arms when we get to the next landing. I’m not sure how much I weigh, but regardless, Collins doesn’t seem affected in the slightest. He is built like a statue, and while I have seen him shirtless at my birthday party, it’s an experience having him hold me like this during a potential crisis.

He makes me feel safe. Like no matter what happens, he’ll know how to handle it.

“Do you think Graham and Nic will be alright?” I ask, worried over my family.

Collins’s smile is warm. “I’m certain of it. Your brothers know how to take care of themselves.” He shifts my weight when someone bumps into us and shoots the man a warning look.

“It was an accident.” My words come out jumbled. My fear is kicking in, thinking about what would happen if I didn’t have Collins watching over me. I guess I would just figure things out like I usually do. It’s just nice now not having to be alone, after I’ve been alone for so long.

The fluorescent lights flicker. I close my eyes and tuck my head into Collins’s neck, trying to block out all of the panic. It isn’t until I hear a door open and feel the cooler air hit my face that I open my eyes.

“We are going to the parking garage?” I ask, not seeing the logic.

“I have a special card that grants me limited access to the underground parking lot. It’ll be safer and less crowded there.”

I nod and watch as Collins runs with me to another car parked in the lot—a Tesla—and places me into the front passenger seat. Through the access points to the outside, I just see darkness as the rain pelts the side of the concrete building. Whistling wind blows around trash inside the garage, making garbage cans tip over, spewing soda cans and paper about the area.

Collins slides into the driver’s seat and backs out. He follows the arrows leading us to the underground parking, which is more like car storage for the elite. I imagine residents store their nonseasonal vehicles here. Convertibles in the winter and trucks with snow tires in the summer.

Several other residents have the same idea, and I watch as more people join us in their vehicles. Collins lowers the windows, parking his car in a numbered spot.

“Nothing bad will happen to us, Pen,” Collins reminds me, cutting the engine. “We will just wait this out, and when the storm passes, we can go back up.”

I glance out the window. “Okay…”

“Listen… I’m being way overly cautious, but I was hired to protect you, and this is how I am assuring that you are safe.”

“I’m just glad I’m not alone.” My words come out in an emotional rush.

My hand gets squeezed, and it’s such an innocent touch that it makes zero sense for the warmth to seep into all of my limbs like it is.

Collins looks at his phone. “I have zero Wi-Fi signal. But Graham texted me to let me know that this should all pass in about an hour.”

I nod. “Okay, good. Glad he’s alright.” I undo my seatbelt, stretch out my legs, and turn to look at him. “So, we just wait this thing out?”

“Yeah, basically. But I brought a few things to entertain us.”

“Oh, yeah? Like what.”

Reaching into the backseat, he unzips his backpack, removing a pack of Uno cards. “Care for a game of Uno?”

“I should warn you, I’m very good at games.”

He wiggles his eyebrows. “I’ve seen you play before. I’m not worried.”

“Hey!” I fake scoff.

It feels weird again, laughing with him. It’s like the incident from the Japanese Garden never happened. It’s as if I fabricated the entire event in my own head. My feelings haven’t changed just from this moment of interlude, but it does give me hope that we can eventually coexist and be amicable toward one another.

I watch anxiously as Collins shuffles the deck and deals out our seven-card hands. With eyes full of determination, he examines his cards. I organize my stack, sighing over the fact that I have zero wild cards—the best ones in the deck. I do, however, have a crazy amount of plus twos.

“You first,” I insist, looking at the yellow eight that gets turned over from the main pile that is situated on the center console.

Collins places a red eight on top of the face up card, changing the color of the playing stack. I follow it with a red two. He eyes me carefully, as if he can see my cards with some type of X-ray vision. Who knows, maybe he can. He appears to have a sixth sense when it comes to danger, and I play to win. To some men, that may be intimidating, but something tells me that nothing scares Collins. The man is fearless.

“Wild,” he says cooly. “Blue.”

“Unlucky for you. Get ready to start collecting some cards.” I throw down a blue plus two, with a dramatic flare to my wrist, followed by a green plus two, and two yellow plus twos.

“I better mix up the deck more next round, because it seems to me you are a card shark.”

I wiggle my eyebrows, as he finishes picking up all of his cards. When I no longer have any yellows or matching cards to add to the pile, I am forced to pick up from the main stack.

“Not so cocky now, are you?” Collins teases, laughing every time I groan when I get nothing of value.

“I feel like I’m being sabotaged.”

When I finally get a yellow five to place onto the deck, Collins follows it with a yellow seven. I frown, and then start picking up cards from the main deck all over again.

We lose track of time playing back and forth, turning a short card game into the longest game I’ve played in a while.

“Uno,” Collins says happily, making me jump.

I change the color to green and hope he doesn’t have a match. But he does.

“Good game.”

His smile is genuine. “Thank you.”

Collins rummages through his backpack, pulling out a bottle of water for each of us and some beef jerky. “Hungry?”

I accept the offering. “Yes, thank you.”

We eat in silence, turning on our phones and checking the weather app to see if we have a signal.

Collins sighs. “Any luck?”

“It’s weak and things are taking a while to load.”

He continues messing with his phone, and then turns the engine on, rolling up the windows as the air conditioning kicks on. “There’s a lot of hall movement according to my security system footage, so I think we are in the clear to go back up. Storm should have passed by now.”

“I hope the elevators are safe. My feet cannot take any more abuse today.”

Collins glances over at the floor, where my shoes have already been slipped off a while ago.

“You should soak them in a bath tonight.”

“Can I get back home to Hillsboro, do you think?”

“No, Penny, you are staying with me until at least morning. I have space, and the roads may be flooded or closed along the way.”

I nod, glancing at the clock on the dashboard. It’s almost eleven at night. I could stay with either of my brothers, but I imagine getting there would be a challenge if there are downed power lines or emergency vehicles trying to get where they need to be.

Collins drives us back up to the main parking area, shuts off the engine, and grabs his backpack. He helps me out of my side, grabbing my hand to pull me toward the elevators. The wind is still whistling through the garage, but everything seems to be in good standing.

Collins hits the up button, which produces a weird buzzing sound. Then he pushes open the stairway door. Without even asking, he scoops me up, making me yelp.

“There’s too many floors to be carrying me,” I protest.

“You don’t think I can do it?” he challenges.

“I, um”—my eyes flash up to the next landing—“no. I mean, I’m sure you can. But why would you want to? Seems excessive.”

“I already feel horrible about your blisters, Pen. Just let me take care of you tonight, okay?”

I swallow hard. He’s planning on taking care of me for more than just one night. That’s the resistance I have, right? I want to do things on my own. I want to have a say in how I spend my free time. I want to do what I want, when I want.

Yet, it feels good to be cared for in this manner. Except it’s…

Professional.

It’s a job to Collins.

And I’m the job.