Torian nods. “It needs to be fast and unnoticed. So far there have been no whispers about him being in town, which means it’s either not him, or he hasn’t made his presence known to any of my father’s men.”
“It’s him,” Penny repeats. “I swear to God, it’s him.”
“It’s okay.” I take a mouthful of coffee and close in behind her, rubbing my free hand along her arm. “Why don’t you go spend some time with Tobias while we figure this out?”
“So you can question my sanity without me here?” She swings around to face me, her eyes pleading. “You still don’t believe me. You think I’m crazy.”
“I believe you.” It’s the truth. “I trust your judgment.”
“Nobody thinks you’re crazy,” Sarah adds. “We just need to be sure of what we’re up against.”
“Speak for yourself,” Hunt mutters. “She stole my car. If that doesn’t scream batshit I don’t know what does.”
I glare at him. “I’m done with the jokes. If Robert’s here, we all need to watch our backs.”
“Heishere.” Penny faces Torian. “And my sisters need to be taken care of, too. Who’s looking out for them?”
“Benji should already be on his way back. Once he arrives, I’ll get him to arrange security.”
“He’s coming here?” I disguise my annoyance with another mouthful of coffee. “Does that mean all the women are with their families? Why the hell haven’t I been updated on this?”
“He’s taking the last one home today.”
“I can get started on the security arrangements,” Keira offers. “That way the other women will be taken care of sooner than later.”
Torian shakes his head. “It can wait. We’ve got more important things to focus on.”
“More important things?” Penny seethes. “More important than their lives?”
I dump my mug on a nearby bookshelf and return to my position behind her, placing both hands on her waist. “That’s not what he meant.”
“Then what did he mean?” She shrugs away from my touch.
“Penny,” I warn.
She can’t make waves in here.
At my home it’s different. She can rail on me all she likes without consequence. But here, Torian will use her anger against her. He’ll make her regret the outburst.
“No, let her speak.” He leans back in his chair. “If she wants to criticize how I’ve saved her and her friends, by all means, let her continue.”
She doesn’t reply. Not immediately. She stands tall against his taunt, the tension seeping from her tight shoulders. “I’m sorry if I seem ungrateful.” She enunciates the words slowly. “I have nothing but appreciation for what you’ve done.”
She pauses, the silence growing uncomfortable.
“But?” he drawls.
“But one of my sisters was murdered moments after leaving Benji’s care. And it’s now clear Robert took her life. So I’m struggling to comprehend why a man of your means wouldn’t rush to provide the necessary security to stop the bloodshed happening again.”
He narrows his eyes on mine. “Who was murdered?”
“Abi.” Penny steps forward, demanding his attention. “I don’t care what was reported. She never would’ve killed herself. It had to be Robert. Or someone working with him.”
Sharp glances dart through the room. Sarah to Hunter. Keira to her brother. All of them returning to Penny, silently questioning her theory.
“Abi didn’t kill herself?” Torian repeats. “She was murdered?”
“Yes.” Penny nods. “Without a doubt.”