Page 17 of Penn

“It’s irrelevant and I only tell you that to explain the present situation. Like I said… many people are pissed at me and Mila. In addition to that teddy bear, one of the guys who was involved threw a water bottle at me after a game. I saw him in the stands and he called me a traitor.”

“I remember that,” Callum murmurs pensively.

“The fight I got in with McLendon… he wasn’t involved in the hazing, but he was one of the people who hated me for turning them in.”

“And who sent the teddy bear?” Brienne asks.

I rub at the back of my neck as I grimace. “I’m not sure. Two guys went to prison and two guys were kicked off the team, their careers ruined. Jace is out of prison and Peter gets out on Friday.”

Brienne looks alarmed but maintains her composure. “We’ll involve the police.”

“Don’t bother,” I say, suddenly feeling very fatigued. “Mila’s been getting threats too and they’ve said they can’t help her at this point.”

Callum stands up and paces. “Would her brother actually hurt her? Will he come after you?”

“I don’t know,” I reply truthfully. “I don’t even know if it’s him.”

Silence falls over the room and for several moments, no one says anything. I expect their brains are on overdrive trying to solve an issue that can’t be fixed.

Brienne is the first to speak. “How can we help you and Mila?”

Her inclusion of Mila doesn’t really surprise me. While I don’t know Brienne well, I’ve overheard enough through the grapevine that she is an owner who takes care of her players in all ways—and that extends to loved ones.

Not that Mila is a loved one, but she’s… well, I don’t know what she is.

I shake my head. “There’s nothing you can do. I just thought you should know—in case something does happen, I didn’t want you to be surprised.”

Callum exhales sharply, rubbing his temple. “Jesus, Penn.”

Brienne’s fingers drum against the desk. “We need to take precautions. I can at least hire security—”

“No.” The word comes out sharp, immediate. “I don’t want that.”

Brienne arches a brow. “You’d rather have no protection at all?”

“I don’t like attention,” I grit out. “Security would only put more eyes on me.”

Brienne sighs. “Then maybe we should consider the police again? I have contacts.”

I hesitate, because it’s true… Brienne has power in this city. “I don’t know yet,” is all I’m willing to commit.

Brienne exchanges a look with Callum, then leans back in her chair. “And Mila?”

I exhale. “She’s safe at my house.”

Brienne tilts her head. “So she’s just going to stay locked up there?”

I open my mouth, then close it. I hadn’t thought about it that way. And I have no clue how long she’ll be there. Maybe I should consider security, at least for her.

Brienne sighs. “There’s a home game tomorrow. I want her to come. She can sit in my box and I’ll have a few of the other ladies join us to make her feel welcome.”

I shake my head. “Not a good idea.”

Brienne smirks. “Why? Because people will see her?”

Because that puts an importance on her that I don’t want. Like she’s personally important to me in some way past a duty to help her out as a friend.

I don’t answer and Brienne’s sharp eyes seem to pierce right through me. “Have her come to the game tomorrow to sit with me in the box. That’s not a question.”

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