Page 130 of Saving Her

She’s worried. Not just for Decker’s sake.

Fuck her and her perfectly managed manipulation. Even though I’m well aware she’s potentially playing me, I’m struggling to turn away someone who cares for Penny. My battling warrior needs all the support she can get.

Even from a crazy-ass bitch like Sarah.

She holds my gaze, not moving, not backing down.

“At least make yourself useful and start the coffee machine.” I continue to glare as I retrieve the cell from my pocket and walk onto the deck to call my brother.

My pulse pounds through my skull with every ring. Once. Twice. When the line connects I grind my teeth, waiting for the muttered greeting from the only member of my family I have left.

“What the fuck is going on?” I demand. “I’m here watching the news and wondering why the hell you didn’t call?”

“Excuse me for having my fucking hands full. You’ve got no idea what it’s like with these women.”

“So it’s true? The news reports have it right?” My nostrils flare as I strangle the deck railing with my free hand. “After days dealing with you, she finally returned home to kill herself?”

“How the hell would I know? I dropped her off and hightailed it out of there. I don’t know what happened after that.”

“How was she when you dumped her?”

“I didn’tdumpher. She was fine.” Frustration tightens his tone. “She was hopeful. Maybe even fucking excited. The other women thought the same, too. Then this happened.”

“This can’t be completely left field. You had to have a clue.”

“Don’t judge me,” he snaps. “She wasfine. She washappy. She didn’t dance a goddamn jig into the dining room every morning, but she was ready to go home. Don’t blame me for what happened. This isn’t my fault.”

It never is.

“You should’ve called me before you took her back. You should’ve paid closer attention.”

“Fuck you. I did the best I could. You don’t know what I’ve been through. You’ve got—”

A burst of muted noise from inside steals my attention. A smothered thud. I swing around to the house, finding Sarah rushing for the hall.

“I’ve gotta go.” I speak over Benji, then disconnect the call and run inside, sliding into the hall as Sarah grabs for the handle of Penny’s door. “Stop.”

She stiffens, glancing over her shoulder to meet my gaze while crashing and banging thunders from inside the bedroom. “Let me go to her.”

“No. Back off. Or go home.”

“Listen to me.” She speaks in a rush. “I have experience with this. I can empathize with her loss.” She raises her hands in surrender. “Storming in there, flying by the seat of your pants, will only cause more damage.”

Christ.

I don’t know how to help. All I have is instinct and that adamant, demanding pulse is telling me to get my ass in there.

“Luca?” she begs. “Do you really want to risk hurting her more than she already is?”

I clench my fists. “You don’t know that I will.”

“You’re a raging bull—face stark, hands clenched, shoulders stiff. You’re going to scare her.”

Fuck. I try to calm myself, attempting to relax my muscles and breathe deeper.

It’s pointless.

I’m mindless over Penny. Mindlessly failing.

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