Devastated (Devastated and Devoted Duet Book 1) by Marie Johnston

Author:Marie Johnston [Johnston, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LE Publishing
Published: 2022-06-06T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

Cannon

A week has gone by. I haven’t heard from Roman yet. I’m a patient man, but he’s trying me. Whatever his goal was with making Penelope think she has a stalker, maybe it was killed when she asked for a divorce. Until I know for certain, I’ll suffer this special form of hell. Sleeping in the bedroom next to her. Catching glimpses of her graceful yoga. And remembering how lightly she touched me. Her fingers were barely on me, but I can’t shake the sensation.

There’s supposedly a photo shoot today. She’s agreed to do some work for her mom. She bowed out of the PR junket but has to meet with her lawyer, giving Penelope a valid reason for her absence. The divorce isn’t going to go quickly, and she has a six-month waiting period before it can move at all. Does that give Roman six months to think of something else, or will it be six months I have to be this close to Penelope?

I’ve endured a full week of watching her laugh and smile at exuberant kids. She’s a patient teacher who seems to sincerely want the best for her students. Does she know what a treasure that is?

No, why would she? Her parents made sure she was surrounded by decent people. It’s why I wanted to use Brittany’s safe house. She might’ve been guilty of treating Penelope like she’s still twelve and releasing her into the wild after coddling her too thoroughly, but she cares about Penelope as a person, not a product.

If Peter or Brittany had profited one dime off their daughter, I would’ve kept her far away from them. As it is, I can tell Brittany is desperate to help Penelope. Whenever Penelope isn’t looking, her mom’s expression drowns in guilt and worry, though her concern has eased since Penelope agreed to collaborate.

Penelope wraps up her current class. The kids have gotten used to me and Elsa, but we usually stick to the office during instruction. Elsa will help with the music, just to have something to do and to make it look like she has a job for any curious parents. She’s befriended Penelope, Pierre, and Juan Pablo like she’s known them for years.

Elsa’s off today—another audition—so it’s just me when Penelope breezes into the office. She always looks fucking radiant after coaching. Her cheeks are flushed and delight dances in her green eyes. The little kids adore her. They bring in pictures they colored from school to show her. She has their notes hanging up on a bulletin board in her office.

The world needs more people like Penelope around their kids. It’s why Roman can’t destroy her life. He’ll try. Regardless of what he’s up to with the letters and slaughtering the bunny, he would ruin her in a divorce no matter what. It’s what people like him do.

She unties the loose cardigan from around her waist and shrugs into it. With her tote on one arm and aviator shades in her other hand, she says, “Pierre’s going to lock up.

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