Page 47 of Savior

Tobias trembles behind me, the tremors of his body sinking into mine.

“Penny.” Luca’s voice is smooth. “You’re not a prisoner here. You can both move around freely—get something to eat, have a shower, get changed, sleep if you want. But it’s not safe to leave.”

“I can look after myself.”

“Can you?” He raises a brow. “All on your own? Without the kid? Because there’s no way in hell Torian will let you leave with his brother.”

I don’t react to the threat.

I knew Tobias would be their invisible shackle. Yet the delivery of the blow still leaves a gaping wound. “So he’s the prisoner now?”

“No.” Luca takes another step. “There are no prisoners. The kid is Torian’s brother. He’s family. You have no right to take him.”

“I have every right. I’m the only parental figure he has left. I’m his teacher. His friend. His cook. His maid. I’m the one who tucks him in at night.”

“Penny.” Tobias clings tighter to me. “Please don’t leave me.” His heartbreaking kiddy sniffles return.

“You would take him from me after everything he’s witnessed today? After all the stories he’s been told?” I beg Luca with my eyes when I’d prefer to glare. Claw. Retaliate. “Can you imagine what he’s thinking right now? Luther told him you were the enemy. He was forced to attack Cole. Now you want to take him from the only familiarity he has left?”

Toby’s trembles increase, adding fuel to my argument.

“I’m not the enemy.” The woman crouches. “Tobias, I would never do anything to hurt you. We’re family.”

Her words are gentle. The delivery soft. She’s trying to win him over, bit by bit, second by second.

“You can attempt to brainwash him all you want,” I snip. “Believe me, he’s grown accustomed to the family trait, but he still can’t stay here. He needs his medicine.”

“What medicine?” Luca demands.

“He’s diabetic.” I squeeze Tobias’s shoulder and hope to hell he realizes it’s a sign for him to keep his mouth shut. “He needs regular injections. If I don’t get him home soon he’ll get sick. He could die.”

Keira stands, her attention swaying from Sebastian to Luca and back again. “We need to tell Cole.”

“Wait.” Luca’s eyes narrow on me. “The kid is diabetic?”

I swallow, suddenly unsettled with the thought of pinning more attention on Tobias.

“I assume there are risks associated with taking them back to Dad’s house,” Keira adds.

Dad.

God, the parental term when referencing Luther is abhorrent. He was never a father. Only a monster.

“The risks are monumental,” Luca growls, his focus turning harsh. “They’re not going back there.”

I stand taller. “Do you plan on forcibly stopping me?”

“You bet I do.”

“Luca,” Sebastian warns. “Watch yourself.”

My heart squeezes at the protection. Squeezes then flounders.

I remain locked tight in a visual battle with Luca, his scrutiny scathing as he attempts to stare me down.

“We need to talk,” he tells me. “In private.”

“Like hell you do.” Sebastian steps closer. “I’m not leaving you alone with her.”

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