Page 193 of Saving Her

“Only one more block.” Luca makes a turn, then another, still without a care in the world. “We’re here.”

The car jolts as if we’ve risen onto a driveway and I cautiously sit as we pass through gates attached to a large brick wall.

The setting is reminiscent of my hell in Greece. It’s just another set of gates and walls to lock me inside.

“You’ll like it here.” Somehow, Luca soothes my thoughts. “It’s massive, with enough room for you to hide from anyone you don’t want to speak to.”

He drives the car around the front of a two-story mansion, the manicured gardens perfectly symmetrical with their trimmed hedges and rose bushes. The neighbors’ homes are equally overbearing and ostentatious from the other side of that looming brick wall.

“This is the safest place for you to be right now.” He cuts the engine and meets my gaze in the rear-view. “But, if at any time you don’t feel comfortable, tell me and I’ll fix it.”

“Fix it how? You’d get me out of here?”

“I’d figure something out.” He opens his door, slides free, then helps me from the car. All the while he cautiously scrutinizes the yard, as if he’s taking in every swaying branch and rustling leaf.

We’re alone. No other cars. No people in sight.

“I thought you said Sebastian was following us.” I beat back panic at our conspicuous position. The boundary walls are large, but the neighbors’ houses’ are far bigger. What if we’re being watched? An itch of unease skates along my arms. “Where are Cole and Hunter?”

“Decker and Hunt kept driving once we reached the gates. They need to help escort everyone here. And Torian went to park around back in the garage. He’ll let us in through the front door in a minute.”

I nod, only slightly appeased.

My arms break out in goose bumps beneath my sweater. All my hairs stand on end. It’s as if I’m in the sights of a well-trained assassin and any sudden movement will end my life.

“You can wait at the front door.” Luca jerks his chin toward the house. “I’ll get our stuff.”

I don’t listen. Instead I follow him to the trunk and help to carry my paper bags while he hauls a heavy duffle. It’s instinctive to remain by his side, and I suppose it shouldn’t be. Not when walls are crashing down around me. I need to find a way to make it on my own. Without reliance.

By the time we reach the front double doors, Cole is there to let us inside.

He leads us down a wide hall, the white tiles immaculate, the walls filled with artwork. It’s too similar to Luther’s Grecian home. My prison. This place is another picture-perfect house, haunted by criminal activity.

“Separate rooms?” Cole stops before a closed door. “Or together?”

“Separate,” I murmur, as Luca says, “Together.”

Cole raises a brow. “I’ll leave you two to come to a decision. Make yourselves at home. But once everyone arrives we need to have a meeting. Don’t keep me waiting.” He continues down the long hall, back straight, stride confident, and opens another door to disappear inside.

Luca doesn’t speak. He stands there, staring where Cole had once been, his jaw tense, his hand wrapped tight around the duffle strap.

“Separate rooms would be better.” I break the silence.

“You’re sick of sleeping with me already?” He makes for the door in front of me, flings it wide and stalks inside.

“That’s not it.” I remain in the hall, unwilling to follow. “You said my brother will be here. I don’t want him seeing us together.”

“Fuck your brother,” he grates from inside the room. “I’ll tell him I’m sleeping on the floor. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

I cling to my bags, the paper crinkling under my tightening grip. “No, it’s best if I stay somewhere else.”

He dumps his duffle at the foot of the bed and returns to the doorway, his shoulders stiff. “I get it; you’re angry at me. You don’t trust me anymore. But distancing yourself isn’t going to help.”

“You’rethe one who doesn’t trustme, Luc. You don’t believe me.”

He steps closer, not stopping until his face is inches from mine. “No, I don’twantto believe you. There’s a difference.”

“It sounds the same to me.”

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