Page 239 of Saving Her

She nods into me. “I can do that.”

Decker mutters something under his breath and trudges to the hall.

I take a second to breathe her in. To remain close before I have to leave. I kiss her again, deeper, and my dick appreciates the proximity.

“I like this.” I skim a hand down her arm to the leather cuff firmly affixed to her wrist. “It looks good on you.”

“It’s the only weapon I have, which means I’ll never take it off. All I need now is to learn how to use it.”

I lean back, already regretting the distance I’m about to place between us. “I’ll teach you as soon as I can, okay? And I’m sure Sarah would be happy to show you a trick or two.”

“Okay.”

I step away, retreating toward the door. “I’ll have my phone on me all day. Do you still have the cell I bought you?”

Her eyes widen. “I didn’t bring it.”

“It’s no big deal. I’ll be back as soon as I can. But if you want me for any reason, just ask one of the others for a phone. They’ve all got my number.”

She bites into her bottom lip, her teeth digging deep. “Please stay safe.”

I smirk. “Always.”

She attempts a smile. “I mean it. I need you to come back. And I need you to look after him.” She glances toward the hall and lowers her voice. “Please don’t let anything happen to Sebastian.”

“I will.” I cross a finger over my heart. “I promise.”

I just hope I’m capable of fulfilling the vow.

28

Penny

I startedon the list as soon as they left. It took a while, my unwanted memories unwilling to come forward after I’ve spent weeks attempting to suppress them.

When I’d finished, Keira texted the information to Luca.

She didn’t seem surprised by the names I came up with. Nothing triggered her interest—at least not from what I could tell. Her disregard only made me strive to focus harder on my past in the hopes of coming up with something pivotal.

Even after she sent the message, I relived my time in Greece like a rolodex, flicking over one memory to the next, trying to recall the details of Luther’s conversations only to gain tiny snippets that seemed inconsequential. There was too much static to think clearly. Too much debilitating anger that blocked the finer details of the past.

By mid-morning, I was frantic with the need for a distraction without Luca by my side.

There were no updates on his progress as I watched Tobias and Stella play with the nanny. I surrounded myself in their laughter because each passing hour made my apprehension grow.

The other women spent their time making calls and dinner plans. I overheard Layla cancelling reservations people had already booked at Cole’s restaurant, while Keira contacted extended family to invite them to the special occasion.

None of the men came home for lunch.

Neither Luca nor Sebastian interrupted the afternoon “Female Empowerment” session Sarah made me attend in the basement.

I both appreciated and cursed every minute that ticked by as I held a gun in my hands and learned how to aim and shoot. And although I adore the leather cuff strapped to my wrist, I much would’ve preferred Luca to be here giving me good news instead of having Sarah instruct me on how to slice someone’s carotid with lethal efficiency.

“They’re going to find him,” were the only soothing words offered to me from Layla while us four women sat outside in the afternoon sun, the neighborhood now sickly quiet without the barking dog.

It wasn’t until later in the day when the sun began to set and Keira excused herself from another chat session around mugs of tea in the kitchen that my confidence in Luca’s promises faded.

She didn’t give an excuse for leaving my side, but it was clear she needed to get ready for the evening with my parents. They all did. Which meant I was left to sit on the sofa by myself, drowning in fear.

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