Page 60 of Penny & Royce

“Royce,” she admonished. “She’s friends with one of them. You married one of them. Which choice is the bigger offense?”

He studied her in the dark, the glow from the moon the only light that allowed him to see her features.

Dang it.

She was right.

Out of the two of them, he’d be the one who got in the most trouble.

“That’s why she was willing to keep quiet,” he murmured.

“Probably. She didn’t want to be the kettle either.”

His mouth twitched, and she giggled again.

“How long have you known Morgan was a double agent?”

That had her laughing more. “Double agent? Really?”

“Well? How long have you known?”

“I don’t know. A little while. She’s nice. And your family’s business is none of mine. I don’t think she knows I know. And honestly, it was only a suspicion for the longest time. I didn’t make the connection until I found out her last name and my brother mentioned the issues that were still ongoing between our families.”

He sighed. “I would have called her a hypocrite, but I suppose that’s not fair. She’s always been on my side when Lincoln and I have gone head-to-head.”

Penny’s hands moved up to his hair, and she ran her fingers through it. “Do you think she was right?”

He turned his head and pressed a kiss to her wrist. “About what?”

“That a marriage would unite your two families?”

Royce considered her question, then shrugged. “I can’t say for certain. I’d like to hope so, but my dad and Lincoln can be unpredictable. They might try to tear us apart before they accept our relationship.”

She frowned.

He brushed his thumb along her cheek, hating that he’d put that look on her face. “I won’t let that happen, Penny. Not if I can help it.”

Her eyes searched his.

“I know I can’t control everything,” he said, softer now. “But I can control my determination to stay married to you forever.”

Her frown eased, and she leaned closer until her forehead touched his.

“Forever. I love the sound of that,” Penny murmured.

Royce smiled in the dark and wrapped his arms around her.

Under that wide stretch of stars, with Penny tucked close and the whole world waiting to find out what they’d done, he let himself believe they might actually survive the storm coming for them.

15

PENNY

“Hey, sis, it feels like forever.”

Penny startled, her head shooting up to see Mathew entering her office. Right behind him stood a breathless Shelly.

“Sorry,” Shelly said. “He didn’t ask me if you were available.”