Page 129 of Saving Her

The vision returns to the newsroom, the anchor’s emotionless face filling the screen. “Initial reports state Abigail Foster’s disappearance was due to a secret elopement. She only returned when the relationship dissolved.”

“No,” Penny seethes, no sorrow or tears in sight. “No.”

Sarah reaches for her. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

My warrior pulls away, distancing herself from vulnerability. “What’s going on?” She turns to me, blinking rapidly as those pleading eyes beg for information. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m sorry, shorty.” I start for her, wishing I had more than useless condolences. “I don’t know.”

“This isn’t happening.” There’s a wealth of conviction in her voice—so much pained adamance. “Abi wouldn’t kill herself.”

“I’m so fucking sorry.” I don’t know what else to say as I raise my hand to brush my fingers along her sweater-covered arm. “I wish there was something I could—”

“She didn’t kill herself.” She slaps my hand away. “Shewouldn’t.I know her, Luca. There’s no way she’d take her own life.”

Denial is a bitch. I know from experience.

“What you all went through in Greece was traumatic,” Sarah murmurs. “It would affect each of you in different ways.”

“Can’t you hear me?” Penny snaps. “Iknowher. She wouldneverdo this.”

“Penny.” I reach for her again. “It’s—”

“No.” She shoves by me. “They’re wrong.”

The continued denial slices through me as she rushes for the hall, disappearing around the corner.

I should go after her. I should dosomething. But I’m still wading in indecision when her bedroom door slams moments later.

“That went well.” Sarah turns off the television, the thick silence closing in on me. “What are you going to do now?”

I know what I want to do. It’s the same damn thing I’ve itched to do since the moment we got here—to push her. To force her to face what’s going on. To shove her toward tears instead of isolation. She has to stop hiding and finally start grieving.

“For starters, I’m going to call Benji and find out what the fuck he was thinking returning that woman to her family when clearly she was unstable.”

“Don’t blame Benji. This isn’t his fault.”

“It isn’t?” I raise my brows. “You sure?”

She winces. “Luca, his job was to get them prepped for the questioning that would arise once they returned home. He only had to make sure they were aware of what would happen if they spilled any secrets.”

“Well, maybe he made them too aware. Maybe he scared the fuck out of her to the point where she couldn’t cope.”

“Luca.” My name is a warning. “You’re too invested in this. It’s just a job.”

Like hell it is. I’m so far down the emotionally invested path with Penny that there’s no going back.

“Thanks for your help, Sarah.” I start for the hall, my tone demanding she follow. “But I’ve got it from here.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Yes, you are. Get the fuck out.”

“No, I’m staying until I know Penny is okay. Unless you plan on physically removing me, you need to get used to having me here.”

I swing around, glaring.

I’d have no problem heaving her over my shoulder and dumping her on my front lawn. In fact, I’d appreciate the inevitable cat fight, my climbing blood pressure demanding an outlet. It’s her rare expression of panicked concern that makes me pause.

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