Page 24 of Saving Her

For the briefest second, hope flickers to life.

Painful, delusional hope.

I clench my teeth against the traitorous response as Luca glances away, disregarding me in an instant.

From bliss to devastation in seconds.

Stupidity to reality.

“What’s going on?” He flicks his attention to Cole. There’s no panic or apprehension. He’s entirely mellow. At least on the surface.

“I’m not sure yet. But apparently, my father comes in peace,” Cole drawls. “Is my little fox still sleeping?”

“She’s back to the same tricks as she was on her first night here.”

I sit straighter, trying to hear what isn’t being said.

They’re talking about a woman. Their own captive.

I hold in a snarl, my previous optimism entirely snuffed by disgust.

I knew I was right not to believe a word Luca said to me yesterday. Iknewand yet the smallest part of me is still surprised to learn of his depravity.

They continue talking about her while anger coils itself around me, empowering me, making me greedy for my opportunity to strike. This man, with his laid-back air and unconcerned tone, couldn’t give a shit about a woman held against her will.

He’s just another monster, hiding his true colors behind a handsome face.

“Go check on her,” Luther encourages Cole from my side. “By Amar’s account, she took quite a beating yesterday. She probably shouldn’t be left alone.”

They beat her?

My fury increases, my train of thought pinpointing on my upcoming task. I read my opponent as they continue to talk. Luca stands tall, his attention sweeping the room, settling on Cole, Luther, Tobias, and finally me.

Those penetrating eyes narrow. His shoulders tense.

I mimic his posture, sitting a little straighter on the armrest. But I don’t narrow my stare. Instead, I soften it.

I preempt Luther’s promise to give me an opportunity to get within reach of this slimy devil. I act as if I’m not driven by retaliation. That I’ve learned my lesson from yesterday’s outburst and I’m now a docile puppet who lives to please.

“I’m handing Penny over as a symbol of my apology.” Luther’s words break my focus. “Why don’t you take her to one of the bedrooms and get her accustomed to a new way of life under my son’s reign?”

Adrenaline kicks in as Luca glances at his boss with a raised brow. That disgusting tweak to his expression is a clear inquiry for permission. A filthy request to defile me.

“Go.” Cole waves him away. “Enjoy yourself.”

Luca doesn’t move. He remains immobile, his expression still questioning.

“Go,” Cole barks. “Teach her what she needs to know.”

The taste of approaching revenge makes my heart happy despite its panicked beats. I’m going to make this asshole pay for his sins. I’ll inject him with this sedative and hand him over to the devil to play with.

Then he can see what it’s like to be a victim.

“Remember what will happen if you don’t behave.” Luther slaps me on the ass and I jolt from the impact. “Now make me proud.”

“Of course.” I let the words roll off my tongue as I maneuver around the coffee table and into open space to wait for Luca to join me.

He’s the one who looks at me with skepticism this time, his hazel eyes wary for brief moments before he leads me into the hall.

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