Page 232 of Saving Her

My heart is a frantic butterfly in my throat as I walk to stand before him, not pausing for contemplation before I sink into his chest.

He stiffens further, every muscle cinched tight. He remains statuesque while I tremble, fighting hard against the burn in my eyes.

The contact is awkward. No warmth. No comfort.

He doesn’t say a word.

I’m about to pull away in heartbreak when he releases a deep breath and drags me harder into his chest. His body relaxes into mine as his arms encircle my back, his mouth softly pressing against my forehead in a brotherly kiss.

The heat in my eyes increases, the threat of tears so close before I desperately blink them away. “Please forgive him.”

He sighs. “I’ll try.”

“I need you to do more than that,” I whisper. “I need this feud between you two to be over.”

“How ’bout I start by not killing him and see where that leads?”

I huff out a laugh. “You all seriously have a warped sense of humor.”

“Yeah… I was totally joking,” he drawls.

I nudge him in the ribs and step back “Promise me you’ll play nice.”

“Fine.” His arms drop to his sides. “I promise.”

It feels strange to be having a conversation with my brother again. To argue and beg like I did as a child. It brings an overwhelming sense of home and the brief taste makes me want more. “Thank you.”

He gives a sad smile. “All bets are off if he makes you cry, though. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, I know.” I start for the stairs, Sebastian following close behind.

I hold the door open to the hall and we walk in comfortable silence toward the voices coming from the living area. Everyone is there—Hunter and Sarah at the dining table, Cole and Keira in the kitchen cooking, Layla, Benji, the nanny, and the kids on the sofa in front of the television. It’s Luca who steals my attention, his hip cocked against the island counter, his stance casual even though I can read the tension in his eyes as he glances between me and my brother.

“It’s about time you two got up here.” Cole pulls plates from a cupboard. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

“Perfect timing.” Sebastian squeezes my shoulder and strides ahead, taking the furthest route from Luca as possible.

They eye each other, the evil stares not amounting to anything other than tension.

I guess the lack of verbal threat is a starting point.

Luca pushes from the counter, flicking me a glance as he stalks for the glass doors leading outside. I follow, my toes protesting the bitter chill while I breathe in the icy morning air.

“Morning.” I don’t stop until I’m in front of him, my bare feet brushing his boots as I lean into his chest.

“Morning, shorty.” He engulfs me in a lazy hug, the familiar scent of his aftershave soothing me.

“I gather from the damp hair and fresh clothes that you didn’t fall back asleep.”

He stares across the courtyard, the towering mansion next door looming right beside the brick fence as the neighbor’s dog continues to bark. “I got out of bed as soon as you left the room. I wanted to make sure I was close by if you needed me.”

A grateful smile curves my lips. “I always need you.”

He tightens his hold around me for a brief moment, then sighs. “Is everything okay between you and Decker?”

“It’s better than it was.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He strokes my hair. “How about the poison? Is that sinking in yet?”

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