James’ prototype cameras.” That was probably the worst segue ever. But I had to ask her before she walked out the door.
“The prototypes are at Hunter Tech headquarters. Why don’t you just ask Rob? It’s easier for him to grab them.”
Rob. Of course. Why hadn’t I thought of that? I could have avoided this whole thing. Well, not really. I’d made a mess of everything last night. And it was just like Penny to come try to pick up all the pieces. “Good idea.”
“You really think you’ll be able to get out of this alone?” asked Penny. “Because you don’t have to. It’s my daughter’s life that’s on the line. I want to help. I need to help. If you would just talk to me.”
“Tanner’s actually helping me.”
“Oh. Well, that’s good, I guess. He’s a really nice guy.”
“Mhm.” I stared at her.
She just stared back, waiting for me to tell her how I’d gotten into this mess. Or what my problem was with James. Or maybe to talk about how nice of a guy Tanner was. Or something. Anything. But I didn’t want to drag her into this.
“I should probably go,” she said. “James is expecting me home for dinner. I told him our plans were canceled, even though I never told you.”
I gave her a half-hearted smile.
“Call him soon, okay?” Before she could even turn around to leave, the sound of my front door opening made us both freeze.
But it didn’t take me long to get moving. I grabbed Penny’s hand and pulled her behind the kitchen island.
“What’s going…”
I put my hand over her mouth to silence her. “Don’t say a word,” I whispered.
Penny looked terrified, but she nodded.
I didn’t know what was going on, but it couldn’t be good. No one had keys to my place. Whoever had just come in hadn’t come in with good motives. It was like I could hear the seconds of my life ticking down in my head. I’d purposely upset Mr. Pruitt. I’d provoked him into action. And I’d even come to my house despite Tanner warning me not to. I had no one to blame but myself.
But instead of freaking out, all I could do was stare at the woman kneeling beside me.
I relished the way her lips felt on the palm of my hand. Her looking at me like she was relying on me. And for just a second, I forgot all about the intruder. This would have been the perfect moment to kiss her. As the seconds ticked down. To show her how I felt. All I had to do was remove my hand.
Chapter 26
Tuesday
A tear trickled down Penny’s cheek, pulling me out of my daydream. She was terrified. Her thoughts were probably swirling with her love for her children and James. Not me.
I didn’t want James to be right about me. I didn’t want to ruin his life. Kissing Penny would be a mistake. And I was tired of making mistakes. I slowly lowered my hand from her mouth, knowing that was as close as I’d get to her lips kissing my skin. My crush on her was unrequited. But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t give my life to save her. She was still one of my closest friends. She was still able to make me smile when no one else seemed able to. I owed her for that. For making a few of the years after Brooklyn’s death bearable.
We both sat there and listened to the footsteps in the foyer. It sounded like whoever it was had high heels on. Or high heeled boots. Which meant it was probably the hitwoman. She wasn’t here to hurt Penny. She was here for me. No one else needed to get hurt.
I glanced at Penny. Another tear rolled down her cheek. We weren’t going to be able to hide in here for long. I hadn’t even had time to hit the lights to bathe us in darkness. We were almost completely exposed. I put my index finger to my lips to remind Penny to stay quiet. And then I crawled along the hardwood floors toward the other end of the kitchen island. I reached up and grabbed a knife out of the knife block and then sat back down.
The footsteps were coming this way. I couldn’t save Brooklyn all those years ago. But I could save Penny now.
I grasped the knife tighter in my hand. All I had was the element of surprise.