Page 90 of Penalty Kiss
My hands tremble, the photo rattling against its envelope. My eyes dart to the windows, the terrace, the street beyond—anywhere a tall man in an expensive suit might be watching. Every shadow feels too close.
I don’t see Lucien nor any of his lackeys.
But he's here. Not just in Colorado, not tracking from distance—he's here in Cedar Falls. Was here this morning, close enough to pay our breakfast, close enough to watch me sit with Cam's family pretending to be someone I'm not.
The photograph feels obscene in its intimacy, casual violation of privacy. This isn't just threat—it's message. I know everything about you. Always have. Now I'm making sure everyone else knows too.
Is he going to turn the town against me?
I fold the photo carefully, slip it into my purse beside my phone with Max's warning still echoing.
When I walk back into Cedar Grounds, I force my face into something resembling normalcy. The Wilders exactly where I left them.
They smile when I approach. Cam walks over to me and pull me in his arms, whispering, “Darling, congratulations—you survived the Wilder family exam. Gold star.”
His eyes roam me in a way that makes my skin tingle despite my worries. “Which means you’ve officially unlocked the bonus round: me. Naked. Full access. Scratch, bite, ride,ruin me—dealer’s choice.”
Heat slides through me before I can stop it, pooling low and insistent. My body reacts on instinct, but my chest knots tight around the photo seared into my mind and the message that still burns in my phone. How can I ache for him and still feel like my world is about to collapse?
Cam’s grin falters as he catches the war on my face. “Wait—seriously? You’re gonna drop bad news now? I was about to debut my award-winning horizontal skills.” He lets out a mock-groan, dragging a hand over his face. “Tragic. History will never know what it lost.”
I want to laugh. I want to climb into his arms and let his reckless warmth burn away every shadow. But the words press against my throat like glass.
His eyes sharpen, body going alert in that way that probably served him well on ice.
"Everything okay?" he asks quietly.
"Fine," I lie, sliding back into the booth.
But my hand trembles slightly as I reach for my second cup of coffee, and I know he notices now, concussion or no concussion.
"Tara, sweetie," Hana says, leaning forward with bright enthusiasm, "I was just telling Cam we should explore today! Erik mentioned antique shops."
"That sounds wonderful," my voice sounds tight.
"Actually," Erik says, checking his watch, "we should check in at the hotel now. Give these two some time before we completely take over their day."
It's kindness, offering us space without an audience. I'm grateful and terrified in equal measure.
After the Wilders leave—with promises to meet later for a late lunch and a walk through town, Cam and I sit alone with breakfast remnants and the weight of everything I'm not telling him.
"Okay," he says quietly, reaching across to cover my hand with his. "Talk to me. What happened on that call?"
I look into his warm brown eyes, see concern and love and absolute determination to protect me written across his features, and realize Max was right about one thing.
I can't handle this alone.
Not because I'm not strong, smart or capable enough. But because the people I love—Cam, this town, this life I've built—may become part of it now whether I want them to be or not.
The secrets aren’t only mine anymore. They’ll touch him, this town, the life I’ve stolen here.
Running in circles won’t fix this; and Cam’s the exact gravity I need to keep me grounded.
“I need to tell you everything,” I whisper. “All of it. And you need to just—” The breath catches. “—listen.”
His eyes darken with focus and promise. “I’m here,” he says.
I nod, even though the photograph sears against me, buried in my purse.
