Page 218 of Saving Her

I cock my fist, needing to punch something. Anything.

I need answers. Not in the morning. Not when Benji’s ready.

Fucking now.

I slam my glass down on the coffee table and stalk for the far hall. I open door after door, finding Tobias sleeping, then spare room after spare room before hitting the jackpot.

I don’t have to see my brother through the darkness to know he’s here. The familiar stuttered snore says it all and Layla’s quiet breaths are an unwelcomed accompaniment, as I pad forward to stop beside the bed.

He’s barely visible. There’s only the red glow from the bedside clock to give the faint perception of where he is. But it’s him. I know this man almost better than I know myself. At least, I thought I did.

The pound of my chest increases as I watch him sleep. He’s saved my life a million times. He’s all I’ve ever had. And now he could be everything that brings me undone.

He’s unsettled while he rests.

Twitchy.

Something’s playing on his mind, and I’m certain it could get us both killed.

He grunts. Groans. Snores some more. The restlessness adds fuel to my paranoia, ratchets my pulse, and feeds the pain in my temples.

All my adult life I’ve attempted to make up for needing his protection as a child. I’ve tried to repay him for the beatings he took on my behalf. I gave up income and a career and grounding.

But if he’s helping Robert… If he’s assisting in the murder of innocent women…

I pull the gun from the back of my jeans, my hand trembling as I guide the barrel to rest against the side of his throat.

He’s guilty. Of what I’m not sure. But he’s guilty of something.

I press the barrel harder, digging it into his neck.

His breathing shudders.

Chokes.

He stiffens. His eyes open.

“It’s me,” I growl, keeping my voice low. “It’s time to start talking.”

“Jesus,” he hisses. “Are you insane? You’ll wake—”

“If your snoring didn’t wake her, this won’t either. So, start talking, otherwise Torian is going to get involved, and I have the distinct impression you’re not going to want that to happen.”

He falls quiet, confirming my suspicions, fucking nailing them to the wall.

“Did you kill her?” I squeeze the gun in my sweating palm. “Did you kill Abi?”

“No,” he snarls.

It’s fucking bullshit.

“What about the woman attacked today? Were you involved?”

“What woman? What fucking attack?”

I scoff a breathy laugh. “Don’t play dumb. I swear to God, it’s only out of loyalty and your marriage to his sister that Torian isn’t all over your ass right now. He’ll see through the blinders soon enough.”

“Get that fucking gun away from me, Luca.”

---