Page 77 of Under His Control

Elizabeth’s words from yesterday float through my mind.

You’ll be walking her down the aisle soon, Jakey.

My sister’s comment had annoyed me because I didn’t like the reminder of the role I once played in Penelope’s life. I didn’t like the way it reinforced that Penelope was off-limits. Out of my reach.

Right now, as my sister’s words roll around in my head, a twisting sensation fills my chest.

It’s jealousy.

I’m jealous at the thought of another man making Penelope his.

Over my dead fucking body.

The last bite of my moist, flavourful omelette is harder to swallow as a staggering realization dawns.

Jesus fucking Christ.

I’m falling in love with her.

“Before you go…” Penelope takes a seat with her plate and gives me a hopeful look. “Can I use my phone? I want to talk to Aunt Dee. She hasn’t heard from me in a while and she’s probably worried.”

Still grappling with my shocking discovery, I move on autopilot. I stand and get her phone from my bedroom then return to the kitchen and hand it to her.

She looks up at me in surprise, smiling and thanking me softly as she takes it. I reclaim my seat and resume eating my breakfast, watching her as she turns on the phone. She makes a face.

“It needs charging. It’s only at—”

Her features turn grim as she taps her thumb to the screen and stares at it. She’s reading something she doesn’t like.

“What is it?”

She looks up at me, fear in her eyes. “It’s Cedric. He knows I lost my job and that I’m not in Toronto anymore.”

I hold out my hand. “Give it to me.”

She passes the phone to me. I scowl at the texts on the screen.

Cedric: I heard you’re out of a job and you’re not in town, honey. I don’t like that. Where are you?

Cedric: I hope you didn’t run away. I’ll have to visit dear Auntie Deanna and Cousin Kevin. See how they’re doing.

Rage lights inside me. It burns hotter when I glimpse previous texts from him. Not only is he charging Penelope a hundred dollars a day as a late fee, the motherfucker suggested she could suck his dick every day to waive it.

I’m in danger of snapping Penelope’s phone in half. It’s what I would love to do to Cedric Rourke’s neck.

“When is the next payment due?”

“Next Tuesday.”

“It works out. You’ll be home next Monday.”

She plays with her fingers, a worried expression on her face.

“What if he isn’t that patient because I already missed a payment? He’ll hurt Aunt Dee and Kevin.”

I soften my voice. “It won’t come to that, Penny. Violence is a last resort. It’s a risk you’ll report it and attention is bad for his kind of business.”

“He probably thinks I won’t because he warned me that he has cop friends.”