Page 260 of Saving Her

“I risked my life for you in Greece,” I add. “And I’d do it again. You know me. You know Benji. He fucked up; that’s all.”

Torian breathes out a laugh. “This is just a fuck-up?”

“He’ll pay a price. A heavy one, I’m sure. But you can’t kill Stella’s father. You can’t kill your own brother.”

He steps close, snarling. “I ensured the death of my own father. This piece of shit will mean nothing in comparison.”

I don’t bite. Not when he’s begging for me to engage.

He wants a fight, and I won’t give it to him.

“Come on.” Hunt steps close. “Go back inside. We’ll take care of this later.”

Torian smiles, slow and brutal. “We’re not done here.” He places his gun inside his suit jacket. “As soon as the party is over I’m dealing with this.” He levels Hunter with a stare. “Keep an eye on Benji.” He doesn’t wait for a response before stalking for the stairs, pulling the door wide to disappear inside.

There’s a collective sigh of relief. A sniffle from Layla. A curse from Decker.

“Well, that’s definitely not what I expected when I set out to fuck my fiancée in the parking lot,” Hunt drawls.

I ignore him, bridging the distance to my brother to grab his arm and drag him out of earshot of the others. “What’s your plan? Are you going to run?”

“I’m not a coward,” he snips. “And I won’t leave my daughter.”

I keep my mouth shut, unwilling to point out the alternative might mean dying as a traitor.

“This is my mess, Luc. I’ll fix it for once.” He walks to Layla, grabbing her hand as he calls over his shoulder, “Maybe it’s time for you to focus on your own issues.”

He’s talking about Penny. And she’s far from a fucking issue. But he’s right about me needing to focus on her. I jog toward them as they start for the steps, blocking their path.

“What did you tell him about Penny?” I sneer under my breath. “Does he know about the party?”

She lowers her gaze, her guilt clear.

“Is she in danger? Did you risk her fucking life?”

“No,” she pleads. “I made sure the event was safe. I told him everything would be heavily guarded, and said he wouldn’t get within three blocks of the restaurant. Along with the extra security at Cole’s front gate. He knows he can’t do anything tonight.”

“Either that or he knows what to fucking prepare for.”

“Leave her alone.” Benji walks into me, shouldering me out of the way. “Torian will deal with this. It’s not your job.”

I clench my teeth as they walk inside, and pull out my phone to dial Sarah’s number.

“What are you doing?” Hunt attempts to snatch the device. “Put the cell down and tell us what the fuck is going on. Was Layla talking about Robert? Has she been running her mouth to him?”

“Give me a minute.” I turn my back to him. “I need to make sure Penny got home.” I listen to the ringtone, each unanswered trill poking my pulse back into agitated territory. When she doesn’t answer, I try again.

“Who you callin’?”

“Sarah. And she’s ignoring me.” I start for the cars, only to remember she took my fucking Suburban. “I need some wheels.” I swing around to face the two enforcers now staring at me with raised brows.

“What the fuck is going on?” Hunt demands.

“Nothing.” I huff out the congealed air thickening in my lungs. “Can I borrow a car or not?”

“Don’t look at me, fucker,” he grates. “She trashed mine, remember? And besides, we have to talk about what the hell just happened first.”

“Not now. I need to get to Penny.” I switch my attention to Decker. “How about yours?”

---