Page 108 of Watching Her

I was able to laugh, even if the sound was as bitter as the way the fury had stripped me of a certain level of rational thinking. “Do you honestly think she got herself fired then created some crazy scheme to lure me into her seductive web?”

“Ask yourself this. Why not apply at Tempest?”

“Because she started a business.” The logical answer.

“Christian. She applied to several hospitality firms, but didn’t think about mentioning it to you, especially after you were intimate?”

“She’s her own woman.”

“Are you certain you’re not blinded by finally finding someone you actually care about for once in your life? You’re not thinking clearly.”

He was right about that, but my skills included being able to see through a person’s bullshit easily. “What does she have to gain by using me, Kingston? Are you suggesting she’s still working with Covington, pretending to be fired and in turn working with Carrington? How does that work with the CEO of the company? You know George.”

“We think we know George. I don’t have all the answers, but you seem to think you do. You needed to know she hasn’t been truthful with you.”

Maybe what I needed to do was to confront George. Not a bad idea.

I lifted my glass, laughing more heartedly than before. “And you seem to think I’ve been truthful with her? There is a camera in her home, Kingston. I started out stalking her because of a game.” Perhaps the thing to do was to take the time she’d be out of the house and install a couple of other cameras. Just to satisfy the questions Kingston had provided.

Debating the choice was more difficult than I was used to. On one hand, doing so was prudent as fuck. On the other, if I chose to trust her as so far it appeared she was doing with me, if my deceit was discovered, our tether would be permanently broken.

“Maybe you’re both playing a game, only neither one of you know the rules or the consequences. Whatever the case, the rules have suddenly changed because you care about her.”

What the hell was I supposed to say to that?

“You’re right. She fucking lied to me,” I growled, conscious of needing to control my anger. Toward her, yes, but more toward myself. “I need to protect our business, but I’m not wrong about her. And I wouldn’t put it past Carrington to try and destroy her for spending time with me.”

“Now it’s our business,” Kingston said, more quietly than normal. “She’s changed you, Chris.”

How was I supposed to react other than by laughing? “She’s not what you think. She’s lived a tough life. I can feel it. Her mother died young and her father isn’t around. It’s like she’s all alone.”

“How ironic. Just like you’ve told me you’ve felt for most of your life, at least since our mother died. Then you need to understand possibly why Penelope is so guarded.”

Kingston’s voice held a different tone. “What could you possibly say that would matter at this point? Whatever her game, she’s obviously out to deceive me in some fashion.”

“Maybe not. Just listen. Alright? You’re right in that she’s had a rough time. One tough girl facing a horrific period of her life all by herself. She did everything she could for him. Everything. Including selling a part of her soul. It’ll sound familiar, brother, because that’s exactly what you did after our mother died.”

“You’re talking about Carrington?”

“No, I’m talking about her father. Fucking shut up and listen. If Carrington has this information, he will use it. After you hear the story, then you make your choice, but I’ll be honest with you.” Kingston paused. “For once it seems you’re happy. If you believe in her, do so with everything you have.”

I almost hung up without listening to what he had to say, but I didn’t. Hearing the reality of why she’d forged a wall around herself, it was the same deceptive despair that caught you off guard when you didn’t need to be reminded of the past.

In hearing the story, albeit devoid of the emotional baggage since it wasn’t mine to bear, I was briefly reminded of the similar wall I’d built. Only mine was created from bloody stones while hers was done with determination and the love of her family.

We were different, yet entirely the same.

Two people whose lives had been shaped by death. Two people searching for someone to make it all better.

I’d need to find out if the bastard had been inside her house.

As the plane began its descent, I was forced to face the possibility the game I thought I was winning was spiraling out of control.

A fool’s game at best, a ridiculous attempt at holding on to a boy’s revolution against the firm hand of his father. Whether or not Penelope was a victim of my sadistic darkness or merely a cog in a wheel of greed of her own making would need to be discovered.

However, that didn’t change the way I felt or the need burning deep within.

One way or another, she would be in my life.