Page 258 of Saving Her

I don’t move. I don’t want to see.

“Look,” he demands, digging the gun into the back of my skull.

He won’t kill me, not yet. But I comply regardless, not wanting the little strength I have left to be beaten from my body.

I approach the window to stare down at Cole’s yard.

Even though I anticipated the sight, the reality stabs through my chest like jagged glass.

The illuminated empty living room is right there. The place where I spoke to Luca outside this morning is in clear view.

Robert approaches, settling in behind me, his arm wrapping around my waist. “I watched you with another man,” he growls in my ear. “I saw him place his hands on something that’s mine. Do you understand how that made me feel?”

I close my eyes and force myself to remember that moment. The bliss. The warmth.

Luca is always the light in the darkness. The protection in the face of my fears. I can’t forget the strength he’s given me.

“I got a front row seat to the way you looked at him,” he snarls. “That’s why it’s important you watch what comes next.”

“You won’t kill him,” I whisper. “He’s smarter than you.”

“Really? You don’t think I’ve taken the time to prepared to take down your SEAL? I killed Abi and got away with it. You should’ve seen her, all meek and vulnerable in her childhood bed. With her parents close by, she didn’t dare to raise her voice to me. It was all tears and whispered pleas as I slit her wrists. She made it so fucking easy to creep out of there unnoticed. I would’ve done the same with Nina, but I needed a little more excitement. I decided to shoot that bitch instead.”

I sink my teeth into my lower lip, battling the need to release the screaming voices inside my head. To kick. To attack. I bite until I taste blood and bile. I clench my fists until I’ve gained enough control to turn in his grip and face him.

“But you failed.” I hold his gaze, his nose bare inches from mine. “You didn’t kill Nina and now she’s more protected than ever.”

His eyes narrow. “Bullshit.”

I smile through the hatred. “Luther would be disappointed in you.”

There’s a second of hesitation. A small bite of stillness before he lashes out, grabbing my throat in a choking grip.

I grasp at his wrist, attempting to break the hold as I struggle for air. I can’t remember what to do. There’s no memory of what Luca taught me before I’m shoved backward into the window.

“Don’t worry, Pen. I’ll fix my mistake. I might even make you join in.”

I gasp for breath as footsteps creep down the hall, alerting me to another threat. I tilt my head, trying to get a gauge on this second enemy that lurks in the darkness.

“That’s right. I’m not alone.” He grins. “And I have the best leverage to take down everyone responsible for ruining my life.”

“You’re wrong. I’m not a big enough draw card to pull anyone into a trap.”

“I agree. You’re worthless.” He bridges the space between us, pulling me close to kiss my jaw, my cheek, making my skin crawl. “That’s why I made sure I had something far greater than a whore to make them fall to their knees.”

“Like what?”

“You’ll find out.” There’s confidence in his gaze, a gleaming assurance capable of sending a shiver down my spine. “For now, let’s get you down to the kitchen.”

He clasps a hand around my wrist, his grip directly above the leather cuff I’d completely forgotten.

I release a sob at my failure.

After everything Luca taught me, I couldn’t break from a choke hold, and didn’t even remember my weapon. Nothing has changed. I’m just as careless and ignorant as when I was first taken.

The only difference is that I now refuse to give up. I won’t let him win when he plans to hurt Luca.

I’d give my life for the man who saved me.

---