Page 187 of Saving Her

“I will.”

I lie there for hours, staring at her black outline as she sleeps. I don’t know when I pass out, but it feels like seconds before I startle to consciousness, blinking rapidly at the sun beaming around the edge of the curtains.

I groan and reach for the bedside table to grab my cell, but it isn’t there. I drag myself to the edge of the mattress to scour the floor, still coming up empty.

Shit.

I’m going to have to get up and search for it. There’s no rest for the wicked when I need to find the asshole who shot at Penny.

Despite wanting to lie beside her forever, I can’t today.

I slide from bed, swiping my gun from beneath the pillow, and wipe my free hand over the back of my neck, getting caught up in the sight before me.

She’s peaceful, her gentle face relaxed, her beautiful lips parted.

The loud bang from the front door steals it all.

She startles, launching upright as the pounding continues.

“Luca, open the goddamn door.”

Torian.

Fucking, Torian.That’s what woke me.

“Don’t panic.” I stalk for the dresser, pulling out a pair of sweatpants and a shirt. “I can’t find my phone. He’d be having a stroke because he couldn’t get hold of me. Go back to sleep.”

She reclines onto her elbows. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” I tug my pants on and shove the gun into the back of my waistband. “Everything’s fine.”

At least I hope so. For all I know, Decker could also be waiting at my door ready to take a dick swab. Or a vital organ.

“Sleep.” I make for the hall. “I’ll wake you when I’ve made breakfast.”

I close the door behind me and stride for the front of the house as the knocking continues. A quick check through the peephole confirms Torian is alone, suit-clad and frowning as he attempts to bang my house down.

“What the fuck?” I pull the door wide.

He scrutinizes me with a raised brow as I tug the shirt over my head. “By the look of the claw marks on your neck, I’d say you had a fun night. I hope it was consensual.”

“Fuck you.”

He laughs and steps forward, nudging past me to enter the house.

“By all means,” I grate. “Make yourself at home.”

“You didn’t give me much choice. I’ve been calling for an hour.” He leads me back into the living area to take a seat at my dining table where my silenced phone lies in wait, the notification light blinking. “Did you just wake up?”

“Yeah. I was completely out of it.” I scrub a hand over my face. “I’m tired as fuck.”

“I bet.” There’s the slightest hint of judgment in his tone, but he doesn’t put words to it. He doesn’t need to.

“What do you want, Torian? What’s so urgent that you couldn’t wait until I found my phone?”

He sits back in the chair and shoots a glance to the kitchen. “If I were you, I’d start the coffee machine. You’re gonna need it.”

“Fine.” It’s a demand to make him a mug, but I don’t give a shit because Idoneed it, likely more than he does. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on? Or do I need to play barista first?”

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