Chapter 517: Professional fly swatter
"Then... you’re going to keep owing me. Penny, I don’t want you to owe me, but if that’s the only way to keep you away from him and the Pierson family, then you’ll keep owing me. And I’ll make sure you do."
A glint flickered across Dean’s eyes as he slowly drew his head away, holding her sharp gaze. He watched as the corner of her lips twisted lightly into an incensed smirk.
"A threat," she remarked. "Right in my territory."
"This place is never your territory."
"It is, and if not, it will be." Penny took a step, chin high, eyes still locked with his. "Dean Pierson, you’re going to great lengths to stop me from helping Zoren Pierson. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you so passionate over something."
"I told you." Dean lifted his cast arm mildly. "Do you know where I got this cast? Not long ago, from an accident orchestrated by my own family. Why? Because I am Dean Pierson, and I exist. Do you know who else got hurt? My driver. He was in critical condition while his wife and children took care of him, dreading every second that his heart would stop."
He lowered his head as his eyelids drooped. "He got hurt just because he was around me at the wrong time and in the wrong place. You’d be him if you linger here, Penny."
After speaking, Dean took a step back and exhaled slowly. He kept his sharp gaze on her, running his tongue along his cheek.
"Please," he breathed out. "Don’t get hurt just because you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Another wave of silence fell between them for a moment, eyes never leaving each other. A while later, Dean shook his head as he moved away, hands raised at his sides.