Page 234 of Saving Her

“Penny, I’ve got something for you.” Sarah slides what looks like a black leather wrist cuff across the table, a shiny metal design on the front. “I thought it might be a nice start to your arsenal.”

“My arsenal?” I reach for the offering, running a lone finger over the metal.

“What is it?” Luca asks.

“A blade,” Hunter mutters. “I bought it for her a while back, but apparently my gifts aren’t appreciated.”

Sarah grins, saccharine sweet. “I appreciated it on merit. What I didn’t approve of was the hidden GPS tracker you told me nothing about.” She holds my gaze with a cautionary stare. “Just a word of warning, these guys tend to trample over privacy and personal boundaries. Make sure you remember that if Luca ever buys you jewelry.”

“It’s the thought that counts, right?” Cole smirks. “It’s the little things we do to keep you protected.”

Sarah ignores him, keeping her attention on me. “The metal part is a retractable blade. I can teach you a few tricks with it later if you’re interested.”

“I’d love that.” I place the cuff on my wrist, then turn my arm to clip it in place as the rest of the table eat their breakfast. “I’d appreciate anything you’re willing to show me.”

“Are you two finished now?” Cole asks around a bite of bacon. “We’ve got a lot to discuss.”

He isn’t lying.

He spends the next half hour relaying a mass of information that steals my appetite.

He explains how Nina was attacked by masked men in her parents’ home, taking two bullets—one in the chest, the other in her thigh.

Luca squeezes my leg as I’m told of her precarious situation in ICU. I think I’m supposed to be appeased, or even thankful, when Cole tells me men have now been assigned to keep an eye on her, along with Lilly, but I’m not placated in the slightest.

“We’re nailing this fucker to the wall as soon as possible.” Cole turns his gaze on me, his dark stare narrowing.

With one look, I understand why he’s feared by grown men. There’s no soul behind those eyes. No warmth. Or fear.

“I assure you those women are taken care of.” He enunciates the words slowly, the bitter grate to his tone making the reassurance more of a threat. “The men assigned to their protection are ex-military. They know what they’re doing.”

He goes on to vaguely mention the informants, authorities, and members of his outer circles who are currently searching the state for the man of the hour and his unknown sidekick. Luca adds details of a green sedan. Hunter stops eating to mention a potential lead who left a voicemail in the early hours of the morning, while my brother remains quiet, holding Keira’s hand on the top of the table for all to see.

Then the rules start.

The kids won’t be attending school. Us women aren’t allowed to leave the house without an escort. And everybody is to advise Cole of their whereabouts at all times.

“I know I’m stretching the limits of our task list, but can we add the death of your neighbor’s dog to our daily chores?” Hunter asks. “That fucker kept me up all night.”

“It wasn’t just the dog.” Sarah’s attention turns to Luca. “Don’t forget about the people fucking in the bathroom beside ours.”

My cheeks flame. Red-hot. And I try to ignore the way Sebastian’s fingers clench tighter around Keira’s.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again,” Luca snarls. “We’re not fucking.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Hunter waves him away, his focus on Cole. “Can we kill that dog or not?”

“Talk to the old lady who lives there.” Cole pushes from the table, taking his dirty plate with him. “But make sure you’re prepared before you knock on her door. She’s a typical Italian mother. You won’t leave her house with an empty stomach.”

“Speaking of mothers.” Keira turns pained eyes to my brother. “We need to cancel tonight. It isn’t safe.”

Sebastian inclines his head. “I’ll make the call.”

“Cancel what?” Cole continues to the kitchen, placing his plate in the sink before he returns. “What isn’t safe?”

“It’s nothing.” My brother sits taller. “We’ll postpone.”

“Postpone what?” Cole pins his focus on Keira. “If Robert is stopping you from your usual plans, I want to know what they are.”

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