Page 122 of Saving Her

I agree. Doesn’t mean I’m letting him off the hook for sending me home.

“Okay.” I shrug. “I’ll let her know. What’s the second thing?”

The conversation gains another pause.

Another sigh.

“You’re not going to appreciate this news.”

I clench my fist, my impatience building. “So spit it out. It’s not like you have an issue with pissing me off. If anything, I’m sure you enjoy it.”

“It’s to do with the kid and Keira.”

The kid and Keira.

The kid—meaning Tobias. The son of Penny’s captor, and the boy she helped raise. The kid she would claim as her own if she had the choice. And the child who is Torian’s half-brother.

I cling tighter to the cell. “What about him?”

“He arrived in Portland a few days ago.”

“A few days?” I grate, trying not to let anger consume me on Penny’s behalf.

“Yes.”

“And you kept it from us, why?”

“Because Tobias has come a long way since the death of his father. He’s doing well. But every time he gets on the phone to Penny he loses momentum. She’s dragging him down, and it’s best if they keep their distance for a while.”

I huff out a derisive laugh. “You’re a fucking asshole.”

“Am I?” he snaps. “Why? For protecting my brother?”

“For having no fucking concern for Penny.”

“She’s not my problem. She’s yours.” His usual sense of superiority enters his voice, the dictatorial aggression barely leashed. “I’m telling you out of courtesy and nothing else. It’s up to you if you inform her of the situation.”

“In that case, thank you,” I drawl. “How fucking generous.”

“Watch yourself. I’ve put up with your hostility for long enough. I’ve also let it slide when you don’t answer my calls. But I assure you, my patience is growing thin. I’m doing what’s best for everyone. Including Penny. Keeping her away from Tobias might be the push she needs to stop hiding with you when she has a family who would kill to know she’s still alive.”

“She’s making progress,” I snarl.

“Not fast enough.”

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. There’s no negotiating with him. He’s already made up his mind.

It doesn’t matter that he’s keeping Tobias from the essential pain of recovery. Finding a way to support and communicate with Penny is part of the process. Torian just wants to make this easier on himself. Less drama. Less theatrics. Less trouble.

I guess I’ve been doing the same thing. Not wanting to push Penny to leave the house or see a shrink all because I want to shield her from more trauma.

“Fine.” I walk for my bedroom door and pull it wide. “Do whatever you think is best. It’s too late to stop you anyway.” The kid is already here. Probably within a few minutes’ drive.

“You’re not going to keep railing on me? I expected more of that aggressive, ex-SEAL defiance I’ve grown to despise.”

My defiance has nothing to do with my previous life as a SEAL. If anything, it’s the cornerstone that got my ass kicked out. Rebellion and misplaced loyalty have caused me to fall so fucking far from grace that all I seem to have done over the past few years is descend.

“I get it,” I mutter. “You’re trying to protect Tobias. And I’m going to do the same with Penny. I may have drawn the short straw this time, but I’ll deal. I always do.”

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