I couldn’t stop falling for Penelope if I tried, and I wasn’t concerned with any of the consequences or repercussions right now.

We were toeing the line between reckless and insane—hanging out in public more often under the ever-snapping gaze of the photogs. The headlines had yet to reflect that, though; they were still distracted with my apology letters—still unassuming.

“Have you picked out a dress for your brother’s fight?” I pressed a kiss against the back of Penelope’s neck as we sat on my balcony.

“No, but now that you’ve brought it up, you can help me choose.” She moved out of my lap. “I stuffed a few options into my bag the other day, but you can pick out the lingerie that I’ll wear underneath the dress first.”

“You don’t need to wear anything underneath it at all.”

“We’ll see.” She laughed. “Go wait in the living room.”

I kissed her one more time and headed down the hallway. I was halfway to the living room when someone knocked on the door.

Lawrence.

I grabbed a few apology letters from my table before walking over to open it, finding myself face to face with Travis instead.

What the fuck? “Um, hi.”

“Um, hi?” He laughed. “That’s all I get?”

“Shouldn’t you be in Vegas?”

“My plane leaves in a few.” He held up a bottle of thousand-dollar champagne. “I can’t pop up to see you for a quick celebratory glass?”

“You haven’t fought the match yet, Travis.”

“I already know the results.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and ushered him inside. Then I sent a quick text to Penelope.

Me: Your brother is here. Stay in my bedroom.

“Do you still have that contact at Top Modeling?” Travis walked into the kitchen.

“I do, but she no longer talks to me.” I pulled two glasses from the cabinet.

“Is she still mad about you never calling her for a repeat?”

“Probably so.”

“Well, I won’t bring up your name when I call,” he said. “I need to hire a few more replacements for my grand entrance.”

“Good idea.” I tapped my screen and sent him the contact info.

I was about to ask him how long he planned to stay, but the sound of heels clicking against the floor made me turn around.

Shit.

Penelope walked into the room wearing a short, nude-colored dress that left nothing—fucking nothing, to the imagination. The thin fabric exposed her hardened nipples and the intricate lace imprint of her panties.

“Hey there, Crown.” Travis looked her over. “I see that you’re currently searching for the rest of that dress. Try calling to the store and asking why they only sold you half of it.”

“Funny.” She hugged him. “Hayden is helping me pick out an outfit for your big event.”

“You don’t need his help if you’re considering that one,” he said. “It’s a fuck no, so pick another.”

“I’m twenty-five-years old, Travis. I don’t value your opinion on much of anything anymore.”

“Don’t you dare wear that to my fight,” he said.

She groaned and attempted to change the subject. “Are you excited about the big five-million-dollar payday?”

“I don’t want even you to pack it into your suitcase.” He narrowed his eyes at her.

Then he shot me a “You better back me up on this” look.

I could only nod. I was too speechless at how fucking sexy she looked, far too turned on.

“Anyway, yes,” he said to Penelope. “I’m excited about getting five million for showing up to fight this clown, and even more for winning. My rider is all set for everyone and—” He stopped talking once his phone vibrated in his pocket. “Yeah, Graham? Right. I’m on my way.”

He ended the call. “Well, so much for a quick drink. I’ll see you two in Vegas.” He looked at Penelope. “Preferably in a pantsuit.”

He shook my hand, and I walked him out and to the elevator.

I waited for it to go down before returning to Penelope. “Did you not get my text message?”

“I did.” She shrugged. “So?”

“So, I like living. Comprehend it a bit better next time.”

“I didn’t think he would suspect anything.” She pulled the dress over her head, revealing her breasts. “What do you honestly think he would do if he found out we were dating?”

“Before or after he hid my body?”

“Before.” She laughed. “Way before.”

“I think he would end our friendship, then he’d go out of his way to ruin me.”

“You’re kidding. I don’t think my brother is that irrational or petty.”

“Then you don’t know your brother.” I trailed my thumb against her bottom lip. “He would fucking kill me if he knew what goes through my mind when I think about you.”

“Are you saying that we should put a stop to this before he finds out?”

“No.” I pressed my lips against hers. “I’m saying, turn the lights off … ”

Thirty-Four

Present Day

Penelope

Las Vegas, Nevada

Sometime between being named The Humble Kid from the Emerald City and The Punisher, my brother evolved into a cocky asshole.

Not to me, per se, but he’d definitely let the fame and the attention get to his head.

He was now the highest-paid athlete in MMA with the most endorsements, and he knew it. He talked trash in the media about his adversaries, torched their accomplishments as worthless compared to his own, and went out of his way to make it clear that he was the best.

Still, his pre-fight routine was a legend around the UFC, and he followed it to the letter each time he was up for a championship fight.

He also made me follow it as well.

It started with a midday brunch with the closest members of his entourage, his cornerman, and a bevy of personal trainers.

They sat at one end, watching practice film on a massive screen over high-price steak and waffles, while friends and “family” sat on the other end in utter awe of how much bigger his ego had become.

“When I win the match this weekend, I won’t be allowing bum ass photogs to come to my parties anymore,” he shouted. “Unless they want to pay to get a picture of this face, of course. They’ll probably make more of my picture than they will all year at their little journalism jobs.”

Ugh! I stabbed a salad tomato with a fork.

As I was raising it to my lips, Hayden’s hand lightly grazed my inner thigh.

My eyes widened, and I looked over at him.

“What?” He smiled.

“You’re touching me,” I whispered. “In public and in front of Travis. I thought you liked living.”

“You’re worth dying for.”

I blushed and pushed his hand away, but he placed it back minutes later—giving my thigh a soft squeeze.

“So, Crown …” Travis’s voice made me look up. “Hayden hasn’t told me much of anything about your new boyfriend. When will I get to see him?”