Page 35

Mila

M ornings after a loss always seem more somber.

It was that way even back when I lived under my parents’ roof and my dad coached the Wraiths.

Penn and I got home late last night after dropping an overtime game to the Minnesota Raiders.

There were no beers to bond over, no lingering at the arena.

Penn had been quiet, frustrated like any competitive athlete would be, but it didn’t stop him from taking me to bed and giving me two blistering orgasms before claiming his own.

The memory alone is enough to put a secret smile on my face as I stand at the stove, flipping bacon while the smell of coffee tinges the air.

I hear the shower cut off down the hall, and a minute later, Penn pads into the kitchen—hair damp and mussed, sweatpants hanging low on his hips. His eyes land on me, and before I can even greet him, he’s behind me, arms sliding around my waist, pulling me back against his solid chest.

“You’re too damn perfect for me,” he murmurs against my neck, pressing a kiss to the sensitive spot just below my ear. “I don’t deserve this.”

“Yes, you do,” I whisper. “I think we both deserve it.”

I should be enjoying this, but I’ve had a quiver of nerves in my stomach all morning.

I can’t stop thinking about Jace and Peter.

They were supposed to meet yesterday afternoon and we haven’t heard a thing.

For all I know, they could both be hiding outside of the front gates, ready to take a shot at us.

No. Peter wouldn’t do that. I trust he’s on my side in this.

The doorbell rings and Penn’s body tenses against mine for a moment before he releases me. Without a word, he heads to the front door while I flip off the heat on the stove. When he opens it, Kynan and Malik stand on the portico, both dressed casually in jeans and heavy coats.

Penn welcomes them in and they both offer me a smile. The mood I’d been reveling in just moments ago shifts so fast it’s like a cold front rolling through the door. Penn offers quick handshakes and I follow them all into the great room, perching next to Penn on the couch as Kynan takes the lead.

“Peter met with Jace yesterday for several hours and then came straight to Jameson to debrief us,” Kynan says, resting his elbows on his knees.

Penn’s posture stiffens beside me and I blindly reach for his hand, feeling immediately secure when he takes it.

Malik stands off to the side, arms crossed, but his expression is hard. Focused.

“And?” Penn asks, already tense.

Kynan doesn’t sugarcoat it. “Jace clearly wants revenge against both of you, but he would not give Peter specifics. We’d coached Peter on how hard to press him and it appears he played it appropriately cool, but Jace doesn’t quite trust him.”

“So he got nothing?” I ask.

“He got something.” Kynan’s gaze locks on me. “He wants Peter to arrange a meeting with you to talk.”

“Talk?!” Penn barks, leaning forward on the couch. “We all know he doesn’t want to talk.”

“Agreed,” Kynan replies calmly. “He clearly wants to hurt you.”

Penn is on his feet, dropping my hand before I can process that fully. He paces in front of the coffee table. “So he wants a hand-delivered victim? Jesus Christ.”

“Jace isn’t stupid,” Malik says. “He knows something feels off. This is his way of proving Peter’s really on his side.”

Kynan leans back in the chair. “Which brings us to what we’re here to discuss. We have a plan in mind to lure him into a controlled environment. We would set up a meet—someplace neutral, somewhere we have full control. You’d be protected every second, but you’d need to be there to bait him in.”

“Are you fucking crazy?” Penn yells before Kynan can even finish. “Absolutely not. I’ve already told you, we’re not using her like that. Figure out something else.”

“It’s the best shot we have of catching him in the act,” Malik offers calmly. “Something we can pin on him that will actually stick. Those threats he made don’t mean anything to the cops.”

Penn throws his hands wide. “Then get his plans on a recording. Wire Peter up and send him back.”

“Words on a wire aren’t going to cut it,” Kynan says. “If we don’t get him making a move on either Mila or you, he’ll just come after her again.”

Penn turns toward Kynan. “Planning with someone else to hurt someone is a conspiracy. That’s a crime. You have Peter’s report. Can’t we go to the police with that? They can arrest him, or even question him, and maybe that will scare him off.”

Kynan shrugs, but it’s not a confident motion. “Maybe. But any decent defense attorney could argue entrapment or say Jace was just blowing off steam. Without a physical act—without a move made—it’ll be hard to keep him off the streets.”

Penn’s jaw ticks, his arms crossed tight. “It’s not happening. There has to be another way.”

Kynan looks at me. “Mila? What do you think?”

I feel Penn’s eyes on me. Watching. Expecting me to back him up. He’s been very vocal in his opinions and I can tell this is causing him distress.

My next words are only meant to defuse the situation. “I agree with Penn,” I say quietly. “It’s not worth the risk.”

Penn visibly relaxes and throws a smug smile at Kynan. “There… you have her answer. Now figure out something else.”

Returning to the couch, Penn sits next to me and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together like a silent thank-you.

But I can’t meet his eyes. Because I’m already lying.

Malik tucks his hands in his pockets. “We can wire Peter and see if he can get Jace to lay out concrete plans. Or we could just go to the police and let them take over.”

Penn’s phone buzzes beside him. He grabs it and looks to Malik. “It’s Callum. I’ve got to take this call, but let’s work on sending Peter back to talk to Jace with a wire.”

Penn strides out of the living room, leaving the three of us in silence.

Kynan stands and looks to Malik. “Get with Peter. See if he can set something up.”

“No,” I say, glancing over my shoulder in the direction Penn disappeared before turning back to the men. “I want to do it.”

Kynan blinks in surprise before his brows pull together. “Mila—”

“I’m serious. Penn’s leaving for Chicago tomorrow. I’ll figure a way to stay behind. You’ll have full control, full oversight. You said it yourself—we need to catch Jace making a move. Let’s just get it done.”

Malik looks conflicted. “But Penn said—”

“Penn doesn’t control me nor does he get to speak for me.” My voice is iron hard with conviction. “Please. I trust you both to protect me. What Penn doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

Kynan sighs, scrubbing a hand down his jaw. “Are you absolutely sure?”

“I’m sure,” I say, even as my pulse races. “But it has to be tomorrow while he’s gone. The Chicago trip is an out-and-back. He’ll be home late tomorrow night.”

Footsteps sound in the hallway.

“Just set it up,” I say quickly. “I’ll handle the rest.”

Kynan gives me a sharp nod just as Penn walks into the room, looking only slightly less tense than when he left.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Yeah… just some contract stuff,” he says, attention going to Malik. “Who’s going with us to Chicago?”

“New agents,” Malik says. “We’ve got a team rotation set. You’ll meet them in the morning.”

Penn nods, visibly relieved. “Good. I just want Mila safe.”

“She will be,” Kynan assures him, and only I know the double meaning behind that. “We’ll be watching everything.”

I squeeze Penn’s hand, nodding along like I believe it’s all that simple.

But my mind is already spinning.

Tomorrow, he’ll be out of town.

Jace will finally show his hand.

And I’ll be ready.

Kynan and Penn chat for a few more minutes, mostly about the security agents who will be guarding us until this is all resolved. I don’t dare look at Malik as he silently listens, afraid that Penn might see the truth of what I’ve put into motion in my expression.

When they’re gone, Penn pulls me into his arms and gives me a long hug. “Thank you for agreeing with me on this,” he whispers.

“Of course,” I manage, and the guilt almost buckles my knees. I know this is no way to foster a healthy, trusting relationship, but I also know Penn won’t listen to reason. I know that we will not come to an agreement on this.

I have to trust my gut that I’m doing the right thing for both of us and can only hope that Penn will forgive me when it’s all said and done.