Page 154 of Saving Her

“I know you don’t want to leave the house,” he continues. “So Hunt and Sarah are on their way over. They’ll keep you company while I’m gone.”

My stomach hollows. The painful stab of fear slices between my ribs, piercing my heart. The betrayal does, too. “Hunter’s back?”

“And your brother. They flew in early this morning.” Finally, he meets my gaze, the intensity in his features welcomed and unwanted at the same time. “Decker wants to see you tomorrow, if you’re up for it.”

I blink through the whiplash.

Everything is changing.

His gaze narrows. “Don’t look so worried. You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s a shock to know I’ll be here without you.”Without your security. Your comfort.

“I won’t be gone long.” He chops more vegetables as the wok sizzles. “A few hours at most. And you’ll be safe while I’m out.”

I hate this. For all the hope the kiss gave me, I wish I could take it back because it’s driving him further and further away.

“Is this for work?” I ask. “Now that Hunter and Sebastian are back, does it mean you’ll be leaving the house more often?”

“No, not yet.” He keeps chopping, those arm muscles working overtime. “I just need to get out of the house, shorty. That’s all. I’ve got things I have to take care of.”

He’s running. From me.

He walks for the fridge and claims a packet of raw beef strips as the doorbell rings.

“Could you get that?” He glances at me over his shoulder. “It’s Sarah.”

My heart pangs.

I don’t want her here.

I don’t want Luca to leave me.

“Pen?” He closes the fridge door and returns to the island counter. “Can you get the door so I don’t ruin your dinner?”

I nod, taking slow steps backward. “Sure.”

I take off, my head reeling by the time I check the peephole and pull open the door.

“Howdy.” Sarah walks inside without invitation.

“Yeah, what she said.” Hunt juts his chin at me. “How’s things?”

He doesn’t wait for an answer as he follows her down the hall, leaving me to lock the door behind them.

I don’t want this.I don’t.

But I’m unsure how to get Luca to stay.

I creep back down the hall, stopping before the entry to the open living area to listen to the murmured conversation.

“Let her do her own thing,” Luca says. “Don’t crowd her. I won’t be gone long.”

“You only need two minutes, right?” Hunt asks.

“Very funny. I’ll probably be out for a few hours. Three at the most.”

“Are you sure this is the right thing to do?” It’s Sarah this time, her voice filled with concern. “You don’t want to think it over?”

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