Page 66 of Penn
Lucky shrugs. “Art.”
We all burst out laughing and tonight I’ve learned what it really feels like to not just be on the team, but to be apart ofthe team.
The laughter fades as drinks are refilled and conversations drift into smaller pockets.
Rafferty’s gaze lands on Mila. “You look contemplative.”
She shifts beside me, her gaze soft. “I’m just thankful for everything.” Her eyes cut up to me and back to Rafferty. “To youguys for giving Penn your friendship. I don’t think he realized how badly he needed this.”
They all glance at me, and for once, I don’t shy away from it, even though my face feels red hot with embarrassment. I’m not mad she called me out like that, though. It comes from a place of deep caring.
Foster raises his glass. “To Penn. For doing what was right. And for finally showing up for drinks.”
I lift my own. “To you guys—for giving me a second chance to belong.”
The clink of glasses is quiet but powerful. My teammates share smiles. Jackson watches intently, eyes roaming with one ear on the conversation. Maybe cataloging threats. Maybe just making sure we’re safe.
But I think… maybe he sees it too.
That I’m not running solo anymore. I’ve got a team.
And I’ve got Mila.
CHAPTER 23
Mila
We step offthe Titans’ private jet into the bright light of day. It’s been a long week—Edmonton to Dallas to Calgary—and now back to chilly Pittsburgh. I stifle a yawn as Penn leads me into the terminal, his hand holding mine.
Despite all the chaos of our lives, this week has been one of the best of my life. Traveling with the team has been a dream, but mostly it’s the time I’m getting with Penn. Day by day, hour after hour, layers are being peeled back from both of us. He’s easily affectionate with me in front of his teammates and when we’re alone in our room at night, he does things to my body that I didn’t know were possible. We’ve barely spoken about the hazing, the threats, the article or our security protection. We’ve huddled in a bubble and let the outside world swirl around us.
While the first game of the road trip was a victory, they lost the last two and everyone is quiet as we enter the terminal. Penn grabs our bags, maneuvering both our large ones as I wheel my small carry-on. There are quiet goodbyes among the teammates with promises that tomorrow is a new day and they’ll get back on track.
It warms my heart to see Penn interacting with his friends and while I don’t know exactly how frigid the relationships were before, it’s clear he’s striving to be a different type of mate.
I’m tired from the travel, but my limbs seem extra heavy from a relentless tension that started the minute I stepped off the plane. We are now back to reality.
Jackson, Greer and Ladd walk with us to the curb. They’re all officially going off-duty and a new team of agents will pick us up. Waiting out front is another black Suburban with dark windows, engine idling like it’s ready to pounce.
Malik leans against the passenger’s side door in a black leather jacket, expression unreadable under dark sunglasses. When he spots us, he straightens and moves toward us.
He greets his friends first, fist bumps with Ladd and Jackson, a sweet peck on the cheek for Greer.
“Who’s taking over?” Ladd asks Jackson.
“Me, Griff and Cage, but Kynan wants to meet with them at headquarters.” Malik glances at me. “That okay? Got some time to talk?”
“Yeah, sure,” Penn says, squeezing my hand. “Mila too?”
“Mila too,” Malik says with a smile.
We say goodbye to Ladd, Jackson and Greer. Greer wraps me up in a hug. She’s solid, warm and unshakable, and I’m going to miss that.
Ladd follows, giving my shoulder a squeeze and nodding at Penn. “Taking a few days off,” he says. “But you’ve got our numbers.”
“Text us. Anything, anytime,” Jackson adds. He lingers, gaze warm but watchful, like a big brother making sure his sister will be okay without him. “We’re close. Always.”
“Thank you,” I say softly, my throat tight. They’ve been more than bodyguards these past couple weeks. They’ve been my protection, my buffer, my sanity. I’ll never be able to repay what they’ve given me.
