Page 62 of Keeping Penny

He described everything so Bowie could “see” it for herself. He talked while he drove, when they walked to and from her school, when he helped her with her homework. Her teacher didn’t send much of that home for the first-graders, but Pyro was patient and explained any lessons with clear and concise instructions.

And when Bowie had a bad day, when she was grumpy, when she had a tantrum, he never seemed turned off or frustrated or annoyed. Nor did he undermine Penny’s parenting, which she appreciated more than she could say. He simply backed her up and refused to let Bowie play one of them against the other.

In short, the man was perfect for her.

Was he perfect in general? No. But neither was Penny. They’d had a few small misunderstandings, and she’d had her feelings hurt, but they’d talked about things like the adults they were and cleared the air.

But hearing him say somberly over the phone that they needed to talk now had Penny feeling uneasy. Had he decided that she and Bowie were…too much? That he didn’t want a relationship after all? She didn’t think so, as just that morning when his alarm had gone off for PT, he’d rolled over and brought her to a quick and intense orgasm before turning her onto her hands and knees and taking her from behind. Then he’d tucked her back into bed, covered her up, and kissed her long and deep before heading out to meet his team for a “leisurely” ten-mile run on the beach.

The man had more energy than anyone she’d ever met, and Penny was constantly amazed by him.

She loved him. Plain and simple. And was pretty sure he loved her back. So whatever he had to tell her couldn’t be that he wanted to break up. Of that, she was fairly sure.

But then what? What would have him coming home in the middle of the day and sounding so…subdued?

There was only one thing. Rather, person, who she could think of that might have him sounding so worried.

Colvin Jackson.

She’d hoped the man was out of her life for good. That wherever he was and whatever he was doing, he’d forgotten about her. Now she had a feeling that wasn’t the case, and whatever Pyro wanted to talk to her about would change her life once more.

Penny was a nervous wreck by the time he arrived. So much so, the second he saw her after she’d buzzed him up and opened the door, he frowned and pulled her into his arms.

She melted into him, relieved that at least those four stupid words didn’t mean he wanted to end things with her. She made a mental promise never to tell Pyro in the future that they “needed to talk” then leave him hanging, wondering what the heck she wanted to talk about.

Pyro scooted them inside the apartment and shut the door. Then he took her face in his hands and said, “What’s wrong?”

Frowning up at him, Penny said, “I don’t know. You tell me. You were the one who said we needed to talk.”

It was Pyro’s turn to look confused. “And you’ve been stressing about it since we hung up?”

“Well, duh!” Penny said. “You could’ve wanted to say you’ve changed your mind and don’t want a relationship with me. Or that you were being deployed. Or that Laryn lost her baby. Or that Colvin has been found and he had a whole manifesto about me and was planning on coming after me wearing a mask like in that movie Scream and everyone I love is in danger!” Her voice had risen as she continued speaking so by the end, she sounded pretty hysterical.

“Breathe, Pen. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out,” he said soothingly.

“I’m not freaked out!” she practically yelled.

One of Pyro’s brows lifted.

“Shit. I’m totally freaking out,” she said. Then she took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a head case. I’m just…I didn’t realize how much power those words had.”

“And I’m sorry I didn’t at least give you a heads-up on what I wanted to discuss. Laryn’s fine, I definitely don’t want to break up with you, and there’s no manifesto or Scream mask. Okay?”

Penny nodded. “I’m okay now. You want some coffee or anything?”

“No. Come on, let’s sit.”

Pyro took her hand and led her over to the couch. He sat, pulling her down next to him. Their thighs were touching and he hadn’t let go of her hand, which Penny appreciated. He leaned in and kissed her briefly and said, “I’ve got you, Pen. You’re safe and will continue to be so. I’ve got your back, and will always have your back.”

Penny’s stomach churned.

“Tex found out the name Colvin Jackson is currently using, and where he is.”

Here it was. He was here. In Virginia. Where he’d knock on her door at any moment and once again demand repayment of the money her husband supposedly owed him. What was she going to do? She didn’t have forty thousand dollars. Hell, she barely had four hundred dollars.

“Miles Walker. And he’s in Seattle.”

Penny stared at Pyro in confusion. “What?”