Page 89 of Savior

“I’m not going to be the one to tell her.”

His eyes flare. “You expect it to be me? Are you fucking kidding? Seconds ago you were hugging her, but I’m the one who has to deliver the bad news? She can’t even stand the sight of me.”

“She’s going to have to get used to it. You both are. I’m not telling her, or taking her home. That’s up to you now.”

“Fuck me.” He wipes a hand down his face.

“Unless you’d prefer if I was the one who escorted her.” It’s a joke. A lame one. But for a second my chest tightens at the thought of being her savior for a little longer. It’s not a role I want, though. My sights are firmly focused on taking down Luther’s operation one motherfucker at a time. I made Penny a promise and I intend to keep it.

“No way in hell.” He turns to the door. “I’ll take care of it.”

I follow him with Keira close at my back.

We reach the open doorway to the bedroom, Penny’s soft sniffles sounding from inside.

“Give me some fucking space,” Decker grumbles, then disappears into the room, flicking on the light and closing the door in his wake.

There’s a feminine murmur of protest from inside as Keira gently grabs my arm.

“Let them have some privacy.” She attempts to tug me farther along the hall.

I don’t move. “In a minute.”

She blinks her pretty eyes at me, soundlessly begging me to follow.

“Not now, Keira. I said I’ll follow in a minute.”

“He needs time alone with her. Please don’t make this harder for him.” She pauses, waiting for a reply. “Please, Luca, don’t interrupt them.” She backtracks. “I’ll be waiting for you in the living room.”

I ignore her as she leaves, all my senses hyper-attuned to what’s going on behind that door.

Yes, I know Decker is protective of his sister. But I am, too.

I’m not going to leave her at the mercy of a situation she doesn’t want, even if she’s going to have to face it sooner rather than later.

I lean against the wall beside the doorframe and listen for every word.

“Stay where you are,” Penny demands. “Don’t come near me.”

Decker sighs. “I’m not going to hurt you. How do you not know that?”

She doesn’t reply.

“You’re going home,” he continues. “I think Cole’s waiting on his jet to return from this morning. Or maybe he’s calling in one that’s close by, but this is all over.”

I picture her gorgeous face pale with surprise. Bright eyes. Shock-parted lips. Her panic would be a tragic sight I itch to see and the temptation to take a peek eats at me.

It’s the painful reminder of the remaining news that keeps me in place.

“Did you hear me?” Decker asks. “Do you understand? You’re going home. You’ll be able to see Mom and Dad. And God, they’re going to be so fucking happy.”

Shit. I should’ve warned him not to mention their parents.

“I don’t want to see them.” Her protest is growled. “You can’t make me.”

“It will be good for you. They can help.”

“Penny?” Tobias’s voice carries down the hall, his sleepy face coming into view from a bedroom up ahead. “Where is she?”

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