Page 60 of The Anaconda Downstairs

Pen swiped and a video started playing. I recognized the guy in the video. “Wait, isn't that the guy from the speed dating event? The one you spilled your drink on?”

Penelope's face paled. “Oh god, you're right. It is Odin. He's changed his handle or this is a new account. And look at the comments—people are already speculating about who he might be targeting. Some are mentioning Kelsey and... me.”

My protective instincts flared. “I will fucking eviscerate that axemunch. You're not fake. You're one of the most genuine people I know.”

She gave me a weak smile, but I could see the fear in her eyes. “But what if?—”

My phone chose that moment to start buzzing incessantly. I ignored it at first, focused on Penelope, but after the fifth call in as many minutes, I grabbed it. “Multiple missed calls from Declan.

A text popped up and it had a picture attached. I opened it to see what he'd sent and then clenched my eyes shut.

It was us, me and Pen. At the speed dating event. Together.

“Pen,” I said, my voice tight. “I think Declan knows.”

Her eyes widened as she looked at the picture. “But how—” She stopped, realization dawning. “Odin. He must have taken it. This was at the very beginning, before the event even started. Look.”

The implications hit us both at the same time. If Declan had this picture, and it came from Odin...

“He might have already posted something about us,” Penelope whispered, her voice shaking. “And if he took this beforehand, this was...”

My mind raced. This could blow up into something bad if we didn't get ahead of it. “We need to?—”

A knock at the door cut me off. We both froze, staring at each other. Through the peephole, I could see Declan. He wasn't mad, but his face was etched with worry. “It's Dec.”

Penelope's eyes met mine, panic clear in their depths. In that split second, we had to decide whether to face this together right here, right now.

Which was going to be really fucking hard, considering we were both butt naked.

WE RIDE AT DAWN, BITCHES

PENELOPE

My heart pounded against my chest so hard I thought it was going to pop out. Everett's hand hovered over the doorknob like he was seriously considering opening the door. Naked.

Declan was on the other side, and with him, the potential collapse of my lovely little bubble. I'd thought I could just live in this ideal place, getting loved by Everett and not having to face my real fears or feelings for a while longer.

My career, my newfound confidence, my relationship with Everett—all of it felt so precarious, and I wasn't ready for it to all go away.

“Wait,” I whispered, grabbing Everett's arm. He turned to me, surprise and concern etched on his face. “I can't... I can't do this right now.”

Everett's brow furrowed. “I know he's going to freak out, and he might punch my lights out, but Pen, he's family. Once he sees how we really feel about each other, he'll understand. We're gonna need that support system.”

Family.The word echoed in my head, foreign and frightening. I shook my head, willing him to understand. “No, no, I need to talk to Neith and Kelsey first. We need to figure outwhat kind of damage control we're looking at before we involve your whole family.”

I could see the conflict in Everett's eyes. He glanced at the door, then back at me. “Pen, hiding isn't going to make this go away.”

“I know, I know,” I said, my words tumbling out in a rush. “But please, just... give me some time. Let me talk to Kelsey and Neith. We need a plan. I have to figure out a fix first.”

Everett ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear in every line of his body. “I don't like lying to my brother.”

“It's not lying,” I argued, even as guilt twisted in my gut. “It's just... postponing the truth. Please, Everett.”

He held my gaze for a long moment, and I could see him weighing his loyalty to his family against his feelings for me. When had I ever won out in a battle like that?

“Okay, baby. Go do what you need to do. But Pen, we tell them soon. All of them. Promise me.”

I nodded quickly, relief flooding through me. “I promise. Soon.”

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