Page 163 of Saving Her

Apart from making the decision to run, Penny’s a smart woman. She wouldn’t have gone far. I’m pinning my hopes on her remaining close to familiar territory.

But the more blocks I circle, the more I panic.

She could be anywhere. Without a phone. Without money. Without a fucking safe haven.

“Fuck.” I smash my palms against the wheel. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

This is my fault.

If I hadn’t let her kiss me… If I’d been able to keep my fucking dick in line…

“Where the hell are you, Penny?”

I drive faster, scanning darkened sidewalks and house yards.

If something happens to her I’ll never forgive myself.

Never. Fucking. Forgive.

My phone rings. This time, it’s Decker.

“What?” I answer.

“I just got a call from Torian. He thinks he found her.”

“Where? Is she okay?”

“I don’t know. Just get back to the house. He said he’d meet us here.”

14

Penny

I’m lost.

I don’t know what side of the city I’m on. I have no clue which direction leads home.

Home.

God.

That’s not what Luca’s house is. Not anymore. Not when visions of what he’s currently doing assault my mind with every blink.

I should never have relied on him in the first place.

Now I’ve lost Abi and Chloe. Tobias is no longer in my care. And my protector is gone, choosing to share his body with a stranger.

I’m stupid not to have figured it out earlier. I’d been floating in a dream-like state as we’d kissed, my lips gently pressed to his, while he drew back in revulsion.

He couldn’t get away fast enough.

I pull over and shift the car into park on a quiet industrial road, barely able to see through the blur in my vision.

I’m not going to cry again. Those days of tears didn’t help anyway.

Grief still weighs me down. My past hasn’t changed.

But the pain from Luca intensifies.

---