“Dinner’s on me.So is breakfast.I’ll—”
“Oh, hell no, jock.You will not weasel your way into acceptance by throwing around food or money.What did you do to hurt Penelope?”
I refill the glass with the pitcher from the fridge, being much more careful not to make a mess this time, and answer with honesty bordering on cruelty in a neutral tone.
“I took her to pick out wedding rings, but she was fine until I took an urgent call and stepped away.When I returned, she was pale and shaking.She refused the ring and told me she’d never marry me before she walked out and through the streets like a mindless robot.”
With a fierce scowl, Peter crosses his arms over his chest and gives me a disgusted once-over.
“I should kick you out for being such a dick, but I won’t make that decision for Penelope.Dig in for the long haul, then, Mr.Sterling, because you fucked up bad enough I wouldn’t be surprised if she calls the cops on you herself.”
He spins on his heel and somehow stomps into his room without making noise or vibrating the floor, proving again how devoted he is to Penelope’s comfort.
With bitterness on my tongue and fear tightening my chest, I pull out my phone and order enough food to stock the kitchen, a few organizational items for the apartment, and hygiene items for myself before sending a few texts and settling on the floor of the hallway.
A few hours later, the owner of the jewelry store emails me the security footage.Helpless rage consumes me.
Peter is right.I fucked up.I failed to protect her.Again.
It all makes sense.I know who bullied her in high school.The bitch made it clear as hell when she leaned over my sweet pea and smiled the fakest, cruelest smile I’ve ever seen.
I once considered Penelope’s brother my best friend.Now he’s my worst enemy.
It doesn’t matter if he knows his fiancée bullied his sister or not.The fact that he didn’t care enough to find out is enough for me to hate him.
After a few more minutes on my phone, I stretch out on my back and close my eyes, too heartsick and rage filled to care about my phone’s dying battery or my body’s discomfort.
I deserve every ounce of pain.
I’ll do anything for Penelope.Anything except leave.This is as much space as I can offer her.
I’ll be by her side whenever she decides to open the door.No matter how long she stays locked away, I’ll be right here waiting the moment she emerges.
I belong to Penelope Miles.She owns every cell in my body.
Whatever she needs, I’ll give it.She can have all of me.
Forever.
Chapter 15
Penelope Miles
I stand by the doorwith my shoes dangling by their laces from my fingers and my gym bag—with my purse tucked safely inside—over my shoulder as I listen for sounds of movement through the door.
Every raw, aching part of me demands I stay hidden in my sanctuary, but my weekly alarm yanked me into the present.I already missed Audrey’s wedding rehearsal on Friday night, so I can’t skip the self-defense class at the gym tonight.I owe her an explanation, and although I’m a coward, I can’t hurt her even more by doing so over text.
I don’t know what I’m going to tell her.Maybe I won’t need to say anything.My reflection in the bathroom mirror looks more gaunt and pale than ever before.Even after spending almost two years sequestered away from society, I didn’t look so worn.
Finally convinced the stillness in the apartment means it’s safe to leave my room, I pull the towel out from underneath the door, fold and place it on the shelf, and slowly twist the lock.When the mechanism slides free without a sound, I open the door with practiced ease and peek through the slot.From this angle, the arm of the couch extends beyond the corner of the hallway.
After confirming Peter isn’t camped out on the couch, I open the door wide enough to avoid hitting my bag on the frame and inch my socked foot over the threshold.
I jerk back when my toes meet a warm, resilient object.With my heart in my throat and adrenaline scorching the inside of my numb veins, I slip back into my room and hide behind my door like a shield.
By the sheer size of the man lying on the floor, there’s only one person it could be.
Sebastian Sterling.
