Page 142 of The Penalty

Oliver lifts a brow, glancing over. “Your boyfriend Teddy had insight?”

“He’s brilliant sometimes.”

“What words of wisdom did he deliver?”

I laugh. “He told me that if I don’t need the money, and I don’t want to be involved to just let you handle it. You’re goodat it and it’s stupid to take on the stress and hard stuff when you want to and while I’m dealing with everything else. Then he asked me if a relationship with you and Owen was more important than money I don’t need. I decided I’d rather try to be brothers than try to control something, at the end of the day, I really don’t want to care about.”

Oliver stays silent for a long moment, considering my words. “I’m astonished. He is brilliant and I do not say such things lightly.”

“He’s really great.”

“Keep that one,” Oliver says, amused. “Advice I never thought I’d give.”

“I’m going to try.”

“Do more than try. Godfreys don’t try,” he scoffs like I should know better.

“I’m worried he’ll choose his brother over me and I can’t really blame him for that.”

“You have so much to learn.” Oliver considers me for another minute. “Never go into a battle without the odds stacked in your favor. Don’t allow any other choice to be an option. Fix it. There are few things that can’t be obtained with enough money, time, or blackmail.”

“His brother is in love with me.” I don’t know why I’m telling Oliver any of this.

“A difficult situation, sure, but I’ve seen the way the himbo looks at you,” he sayshimbolike it puts a bad taste in his mouth and I laugh.

“How does he look at me?”

“Like you put galaxies into the universe and he can see them for the first time.”

“I guess orgasms will do that,” I mutter.

Oliver’s lip curls in disgust. “I could have gone my entire life without that information.”

“You’re welcome.” I shake my head. “Now what do I need to do?”

“Wait, if it comes to a vote, I’ll call you. But knowing you’re on our side, I hope it won’t come to that.”

“You’re going into battle already having won it, aren’t you?”

“I don’t give advice I don’t follow myself.”

After we say our goodbyes, I take a car to Summerset, determined to see Tobi. I walk in behind someone and go to his floor.

I knock on his door and wait.

He opens it, spots me then slams it.

But I stick my foot in it, so it doesn’t shut all the way.

That’s going to hurt later.

“Tobi, please talk to me.”

“No.” He tries to shut the door again. “Move your foot.”

“Not until you hear me out.”

“There is nothing you can say to me. You lied to me.”

---