Page 169 of Saving Her

“Your brother’s.” He glances at me. “For a long while, the thought of Decker with my sister was a very sore spot for me. It still is most days.”

“I don’t understand.”

He huffs out a laugh and returns his attention to the road. “All the resentment I harbored toward my sister’s feelings for your brother, all that rage and animosity, is now something he will have to deal with between you and Luca.”

“It’s not like that. Luca doesn’t have feelings for me.”

That huff of laughter returns, intensified. “I assure you he has enough to get himself in trouble.”

“I disagree. And I think I’d know better, seeing as though I’ve lived with him for weeks.”

But I hadn’t known. It was Sarah who’d pointed out Luca’s desperation to get away from me.

He shrugs. “Maybe you’re right.”

He doesn’t say another word. There are no placations for my dying heart or offers of support.

I turn away, staring out the window as we pass things I recognize from my escape—the corner store, the house with the red mailbox, then finally, the pretty pink roses from the garden beside Luca’s.

My stomach falls as Cole pulls into the drive behind another bulky SUV, our headlights swinging past a grimacing woman and three men standing on the front lawn, none of them happy to see us.

Sarah and Sebastian are the only ones whose expressions hold the slightest tinge of relief.

Hunter is plain mad.

And when my gaze reaches Luca I have to raise my chin and suck in a breath to steal myself against the fury bearing back at me.

“If you don’t want to stay here I can make other arrangements,” Cole murmurs. “Returning to Portland with Luca was your choice, but you can change your mind at any time and stay with your brother.”

“And if I don’t like either option?”

“They’re all you’ve got for now.”

I should get away. From here. From Luca. But anger at my protector is a better option than the vulnerability I’d face with my brother.

“Can I think about it?”

He kills the ignition. “Take all the time you need.”

I steal myself for what’s to come and open my door, only to be stopped by a punishing grip capturing my arm.

“There’s one more thing.” Cole’s eyes harden as I glance at him over my shoulder. “I’ve made sure you’re financially taken care of while under Luca’s roof. I’m certain you know you can have anything you need if you ask. So if you steal from me again, we’re going to have problems. Do you hear me?”

I fight the instinct to lash out, fervently holding myself in check because I don’t want to risk Tobias being stripped from me forever. “I told you it won’t happen again.”

I won’t steal a car.

I won’t even steal time from Luca.

He inclines his head and releases my wrist. “Then good luck. By the expression on Luca’s face you’re going to need it.”

I shudder and open my door to slide out, keeping my gaze averted from the wall of tumultuous male emotion in front of me. I don’t look toward the men on the lawn as I walk around the hood. I don’t even chance a sideward glance as I pass.

I head straight for the front of the house, my head high, my shoulders straight.

“You’re seriously going to walk by me without so much as a fucking explanation?” Luca demands.

I ignore him, refusing to stop and chat when the heat in my eyes is overwhelming. I won’t let him see me cry. Not again. Not over this.

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