Jay saw her text. Was Penny at home? His heart lifted. If she waited, he’d find her and apologize. Paying off her student loans had been pushy. Buying her the Jeep had made him happy but not helped.
Somewhere along the way, he’d enjoyed fixing her life. But he should have kept out. Lately his every other thought went to Penny. He had hoped to make her life happier, not cause problems. He hoped she’d accept his apology.
He parked his bike in the garage and ran inside. His heart raced in his chest as he waited for the elevator. He glanced around, and his gaze stared at the empty front desk. No doorman? Strange. The elevator door opened, and he ran his key card in the slot for access to home.
He stared up at the glass ceiling. Penny must have waited. It was a good sign. Maybe she’d forgiven him, then. He paid those loans so they’d both be free if anything happened, not to control her. In fact, part of his thoughts had been if they didn’t work out, he’d not feel so guilty.
The door opened, and every cell in his body froze.
Someone barreled toward him and caught him unprepared.
Then someone clipped his head from behind.
He tried to call out Penny’s name as he lost consciousness. He wasn’t sure he succeeded.