“I said no.”
“Gideon.”
“Danny, Alex, excuse us, please.”
Danny and Alex got up and left me with Penn. He stood, moved beside me, and took my battered hand in his.
“It could work.”
I faced him, and his green eyes filled with determination. “Your life isn’t worthless, Penn. You don’t get to forfeit it for anything or anyone.”
“But it is my life to do with what I want.”
“No…I’ll come up with a better plan.”
He stared at me for a beat, then released a breath. “Yeah. Okay, Gideon, whatever you say.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Pennsylvania
“Left hand, green.”I cackled as I watched Dean try to maneuver around Rita and Matteo.
“This isn’t going to be pretty, guys.” He smacked the plastic and promptly elbowed Rita in the chest.
“Hey! Watch it, or you don’t get to have time with the girls.”
“Mom!” Matteo was well and truly scandalized.
Owen was sitting beside me, in charge of spinning the arrow. Olivia wanted to play Twister, but had only lasted three moves before her short limbs forced her out. She’d taken to her role of referee well.
Loud music started playing from Rita’s pocket. “Shit, I have to get that.”
“Bad word.” Owen whispered it so low, I swore it was only for his own ears.
“Forfeiting?” Dean crowed. “I will be victorious.”
Of course Rita wasn’t one to be petty…yeah, right. She stood and pushed him over, making Matteo the winner.
“Cheater!” Dean yelled as Rita answered her call and left the room.
Gideon descended the stairs and took the seat on the other side of Owen.
“Hey, buddy.” Owen laid his head on Gideon’s arm.
He was looking a lot better. No swelling, bruises were healing well. He still wore a bandage on his hand, but he said it was so the skin didn’t get irritated while he used it.
“Uncle Gid, I won.” Matteo plopped next to him.
“This game is rigged!” Dean laughed and took a seat on the other sofa.
“Gideon.” Rita returned, her face ashen.
“What is it?” Gideon stood, followed by Dean.
“You know how my nonprofit runs out of the office building on Hax Avenue?”
“Of course.”
