Penny: Who knew throwing exes… I mean axes would be such fun?
A photo followed showing her goofy grin and glassy eyes, standing between Caleb and Maya. Bottles and shot glasses cluttered the table.
Shit. I grabbed my coat. Sanity optional.
I hoofed it fast down the main street. The cold air slapped sense into me while I promised myself not to storm the place and take control. When I got there, the thump of country bass rolled out of barn-sized doors onto the street. Brooks’ car sat out front with the valet tag dangling.
Inside, one corner held the axe lanes, with other carnival-like games around the perimeter. Another corner boasted a postage-stamp stage and a mic begging for karaoke trouble. Brooks commandeered several tables in the center. The interns were upfront, near the dance floor. Penny stood at a pub table nearby with Caleb, Maya, and a few others, all prepping salt and lime for another round of shots.
Unseen yet by her, I slid into the empty chair beside my brother.
Without looking up, he held out his hand. One architect slapped a ten into it. “Told you he’d cave,” Brooks said, finally glancing over. “Glad you made it.”
I ignored him and tracked the others. Maya looked flushed and happy. But it was Penny stealing my breath, a bright star, lit from the inside, hair loose, cheeks pink, throwing her head back and laughing at something Caleb said. He leaned too close when he talked to her.
My jealousy flared. It was petty, and I hated it. The CEO in me wanted to cram a fistful of the non-fraternization clause down his smug throat. The alpha in me wanted to throw her over my shoulders back to my cave. I should’ve stayed away.
I left my seat, about to go tangle with him, when the emcee boomed, “Give it up for Penny and Maya, our next karaoke contestants!”
My stomach dropped as the two wobbled and giggled across the floor and onto the stage. They laughed into each other’s shoulders as the music started.
“This one’s for our bosshole!” Penny slurred, pointing in the general direction of Caleb. The jerk gave two thumbs up and a “Yee-haw,” encouraging them. They sang their hearts out off-tune on the chorus ofHit Me With Your Best Shot.
Brooks snorted and slapped my back. “Team-building, am I right?”
I shrugged him off. “What part of ‘work trip’ did you not comprehend?”
Heat crawled up my neck. Penny swayed a second too long, blinking at the lights like they’d jumped closer. Maya grabbed her elbow; Penny tossed her a bright smile and kept going. The crowd whooped.
“How could you let them get so carried away?” I scowled.
“I stepped out to take a call from Maisy. She took the baby to urgent care for a cough that’s lingered too long. By the time I returned to the tables, the shots had arrived.”
“You couldn’t have stopped them after one round?”
“They’re adults, not toddlers, and I’m not their babysitter. If they want a couple of drinks, that’s on them.”
“They’ve had more than two,” I yelled.
He shouted back, “We’ll wrap it up after this song.”
Too late. Penny hiccupped mid-lyric and then laughed at herself. She took a step in the wrong direction and tumbled off the stage.
I moved in lightning fast, catching her with one arm under her knees, one around her back. Her body loose as honey, the mic clanged to the floor, the music cut, and the crowd froze.
“Party’s over,” I growled to everyone.
The interns went statue-still. Caleb’s grin died. Behind me, Brooks gave a low whistle. I didn’t look at him.
“Is this what you call professional?” My voice boomed. I left it at that, the disappointment in my tone enough. One of the interns tossed Penny’s purse and coat on top of her as I carried her out.
Outside, the cold bit sharper. Brooks ran ahead of me and had the back door of his SUV open like a penitent man. I settled Penny on the seat, buckled her in, and brushed a curl off her cheek.
“Archer…” She breathed my name like she knew I’d be the one to catch her. My anger melted until all I felt was the need to get her somewhere quiet, safe and sound with me.
“Keys,” I hissed. Brooks tossed them.
“You’re seriously leaving me without a car?”
