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I freeze and narrow my eyes on her.

She holds up her hands. “I’m not going to give him anything he can use against us. But if someone’s feeding him information, wouldn’t it be useful to know exactly what they’re telling him? It cuts out the go-between.”

“Do you think you can do this?” Caden leans back in his chair with his legs spread and his hands clasped over his stomach. “This isn’t like the games girls play. I know they can be vicious, but William Foster plays a different game.”

“I made him promise to pay for my college.” She shrugs. “I’m used to doing what other people want me to. My mom. Even my dad. This won’t be hard because I won’t fight back like Luke does.” She gives me a soft smile. “I know what I’m capable of, but he doesn’t see it yet. We can use that against him. Trust me, Luke.”

Those words are hard. If she’d asked me that a few months ago, before Harper, I would have laughed in her face. The idea of trusting anyone outside of my four best friends was ridiculous. There was no one I could trust besides them.

Now, I have Harper, and her trust is easy. Her love is everything.

That moment when we realized Penny had been taken and was in that room where Harper was drugged made my heart drop. I’ve never had family before. Not blood family that was worth caring about. Family that didn’t hurt me. Family that actually drank poison that was offered to me to save me.

“You need out, you call. We have a word. A word only you and I know that will let me know you’re in danger, and it’s time for an extraction.” I run my hand through my hair. The string winds tight in me as I think of her alone with our father. “He’s manipulative. He’ll give you things. Things you want. He’ll try to work his way into your psyche, making you think he can love you, making you believe you’re everything he ever hoped for. He doesn’t always seem cruel, but he is.”

I drag in a breath, and Penny’s mouth tightens.

“Don’t believe a word the devil says. His promises mean nothing. Don’t take his internship. You don’t want to see the dirty underbelly of this town. You need plausible deniability if the Feds ever do finalize a case on him.” I glance at Caden, and he nods. He’ll have her back and mine on this one. “If you get scared, you get out, understand?”

“I do.” She sits up straighter. “I have Will. I can do this.”

“Be careful not to show him any weakness he can use to his advantage. That includes Will.” It’s too late for me. Even though I’ve played it off that Harper doesn’t mean as much as she does, he senses it. He’s a fucking predator. He knows where to look for weaknesses, but maybe Penny will be able to play into his weakness.

She won’t go in as a casualty of an affair gone wrong. No, I’ll make sure she knows how to play the game, and this time we’ll win.

I draw in a deep breath and lean forward. “Here’s what you need to know about our father.”

CHAPTER 50

Peace Negotiations

Penny

I set down my bags and look around the room that feels more like a guest bedroom and not the place I’m going to live for the next year. That’s something that needs to change. I’m ready for the change.

It’ll be weird being here without Luke, but I’m glad he trusts me to do this.

I check my phone.

Will:

You need me, I’m a phone call away

I smile because how can I not. Will is everything I’ve ever wanted: handsome, intelligent, and devoted to only me. This weekend definitely made our relationship go from zero to sixty, but I can’t deny that I love it.

I don’t know that I love Will yet, but there’s a real possibility between us. And I need someone real in my corner. Not my dad’s, not even my brother’s, but mine. And that’s what Will is. He shot his shot, and it worked out for him. And for me.

Me:

I appreciate it

Tonight is about laying out ground rules

I’ll call you after?

Will:

Good