Page 100 of Saving Her

“Don’t.” I bat away her offer and shove to my feet. “I’m not a fucking invalid. And I’m not going back with her.” I shoot her a sideways glance of apology and feel like an absolute prick for the wince plastered across her face. “No offence, shorty, but my place is here. I earned the right to take down those assholes. I’m not leaving until it’s done.”

“You’re injured,” Torian repeats.

“Yeah, well, I’m no fucking doctor but putting me on a jet while concussed doesn’t seem like a brilliant idea either.”

“If you stay, you’re a distraction and I’ve already got enough of those. So go home. Rest up. And if we’re still here once you get back on your feet you can return.”

“I can rest here,” I snarl. “Decker’s the one who wants to take her home.”

“If Deck goes, it leaves Keira and Tobias without trustworthy protection. I may be paying those mercenaries by the truckload, but I need someone on the inside I can rely on.”

Fuck him. Fuck this. “I was reliable last night. I led the entire fucking operation at your father’s house.”

“It wasn’t my brother or sister’s lives you were risking on that mission. And at the time, I was too caught up in my own head to realize how bad your injuries were.”

“This is ridiculous.” I scoff. “Why can’t you get Keira to take her back?”

“I fucking agree,” Decker snaps. “Let Keira do it.”

“No, she stays to look after the kid.” He walks away. “I’m not arguing over this. My mind is already made up. Safe travels.”

I follow him, stalking two steps behind as we enter the secluded hall. “And what the fuck am I meant to do with her once we get to Portland? As it is, my brother can barely handle the responsibility of one woman, but you’ve lumped him with three fucking fragile victims. You expect him to take on a fourth?”

“No, I expect you to take care of it.”

“Torian,” I warn. “Stop fucking with me.”

“I’m not fucking with you.” He turns to face me. “And I’ll never forget what you’ve done here. You’ve gone above and beyond for my family. It’s a debt I hope to one day repay, which is why I’m starting right now by looking after you seeing as though you don’t want to do it yourself.”

“I’m fine.” I launch my fist at the wall, my knuckles breaking plaster, pain shooting to my head. I need to stay here to make those fuckers pay. To make sure any other women are freed. To get Penny her revenge.

Torian raises a brow. “A few short days ago, you were bragging that your macho ex-SEAL ass could kick mine without effort. Now you’re falling on that ass after I throw an air swing. So forgive me for relying on my own judgment to make this call.” He claps me on the shoulder, hard. I’m sure it’s in an effort to increase the pounding in my head. “Keep me updated. I’ll see you in a while.”

He continues down the hall, ending the conversation with a definitive slam of his door.Again, I’m sure it’s just to trigger my migraine.

Fuck.

I slump against the wall.

I’d been apprehensive at the thought of entrusting someone else with Penny’s safety. I’d even contemplated being the one to take her home. Now the reality is so fucking far from comforting it’s almost scary.

I’m not the one who should be looking after her. Not after I slipped subtle flirtation into our conversation. And that isn’t the worst of it. Those words hold no comparison to my thoughts. My fucking obsession.

She shouldn’t be around me.

And I definitely shouldn’t be entrusted with her.

I rest the back of my head against the wall, not moving when Decker enters the hall to storm toward me.

“Don’t start,” I warn. “I don’t want to hear it.”

“Too fucking bad.” He stands in front of me, chest puffed, shoulders stiff. “Every time I take a breath you’re getting closer and closer to my sister.”

“Not by choice.”

“I don’t give a shit if it’s by choice, or circumstance, or divine fucking intervention. If you so much as make her sniffle, I’ll fucking destroy you.”

I take his fury. Mainly because I don’t have the mental capacity to retaliate, but also because I’d be equally bitter if the situation was reversed.

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