"Have you even read the article you wrote? You were supposed to destroy him, not help him build up his savior image!" comes the unmistakable voice of Rhoda Wright.
"Rhoda, I need to go make sure that the people who are funding our campaign for governor aren't pissed off beyond opening their wallets some more. I suggest you get your daughter in line," comes the voice of Laurel one last time.
Penny turns off the phone.
"i think that's all I need to say on the matter," she says sweetly. “But if you really want a story, I’m about to give you one,” she follows up.
The crowd hushes and looks to her.
What could be bigger than what they just got.
“I’ve been having a whole lot of sex with Magnus - the man who used to be my stepdad,” Penny says and I can’t help but laugh for a second. “And you know what, New York? I’m pregnant. And loving it.”
Holy.
Fucking.
Shit.
To say the crowd goes wild is a fucking understatement.
I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life. I could care less about anything at this point.
Magnus Davion has been so many things in his life. Warrior. Financier. Playboy. Success story.
But Father?
Five months ago, I would have been scared out of my mind.
But with Penny in my life?
I can’t believe I’m so lucky.
"And I also think this story is closed, don't you? Any questions?"
People shout out questions that really are best asked to Rhoda and Laurel. Like how long have the two been lovers? How long have they tried to destroy me? Do they realize this is a federal offense that they just committed.
Or they ask questions that will never be fucking answered. Like how many times we’ve consummated. Or what we’re going to name the fucking kid.
But the Daily Journal people are silent.
All the way at the front they're sitting there like wet fucking blankets as the rest of the entire press corps goes crazy.
Penny turns to me, obviously pleased by her work.
She comes over to me and nuzzles my cheek.
"Want to go to your place?" she whispers in my ear. "I need some of that Daddy-dick inside me. Soon."
Hey. The girl just saved my fucking ass. And is gonna make me a real Daddy. Who the hell am I to argue?
Penny
"Never fucking leave me ever again," Magnus says with a raw tenderness but danger that shakes me to my core.
I never want to leave him ever again. I have to make sure that he knows that. "I want you more than I've ever wanted anything. I need you more than I've ever needed anything. I'm yours, forever. But you have to always be mine. I could never be without you," I say, my voice catching in my throat and my eyes welling up.
"Penny," Magnus says, cupping my face and pulling me closer to him. "I need you more than I've ever needed anything. I'd die before I let go of you. I didn't know I could have something like what you and I share. And this is just the beginning. I have to have the rest of my life to show you just how much I cherish you," Magnus says, and now his eyes are drinking me in so deeply I shiver. His lips close over mine and his fingers drop from my face to my shoulders, then back to my shoulder blades, squeezing me so tightly that I believe every damn word about how much he needs me.