Page 58 of Saving Her

I won’t fuck that up.

“I think I’m done.” She leans in, inspecting her handiwork. “I just need to cut the thread.”

I bow my head, giving her closer access. “Just use your teeth.”

Her breathing hitches. It’s only subtle. The barest hint of sound. And I can’t help wishing I could hear it in a different context. From pleasure, not fear.

She hesitates long enough for the silence to become awkward. Uncomfortable. I lock every muscle, not wanting the barest twinge to spook her and still she doesn’t move.

I’m about to straighten when she lunges toward me, the tension on the string pulled tight before a twang announces she’s followed my order.

Her retreat is swift. The slide of her steps moving toward the vanity, the rush of water letting me know she’s washing her hands.

I hide a smile from my lips as I drag myself to my feet, making sure to keep my distance as I turn to the mirror. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” She doesn’t meet my gaze. Not once as she shuts off the taps and backs away.

Her visual disconnect doesn’t stop me from staring at her though. I barely drag my gaze away as I take her place at the sink and cup water in my hands to splash over my face and head.

“You should probably try to keep it dry for a while.” She wipes her hands on her stained pants, keeping her attention downcast. “I don’t know a lot about infection, but I think moisture doesn’t help.”

“I’ll make sure to do that.” I will her to look at me. To trust me. I do it for so long it seems as though a day passes in the thickened silence until footsteps sound in the distance.

“Luca?” Cole calls from the bedroom. “Where are you?”

Penny’s attention snaps to mine, her eyes flaring before she rushes to the tub.

Fuck.

“The bathroom.” I grab the towel stashed beneath the numerous T-shirts I brought in for the kid and lob it at her. “Here. Dry him off with this.”

She catches the plush material and spreads it wide as Tobias splashes to his feet.

“Don’t panic.” She smiles at the boy, the expression fake as she wraps him in the towel. “We’re safe, remember?”

Her rigidity doesn’t fade as Cole comes to stand in the doorway, Hunt and Decker flanking him from behind.

For a while, nobody speaks. None of them have to. Their visual accusation is loud enough.

The weight of everyone’s focus shifts from Penny, to my fucking naked chest, the resulting glower from Decker harsh enough to cut stone.

“I’m told my brother is sick,” Cole grates.

Penny lasers a frantic glance my way. Those dark eyes are filled with indecision. She’s weighing her options. Wondering if she should trust me or keep forging ahead on her own.

“He isn’t sick,” I answer for her, holding her gaze. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

She stares at me, the questioning slowly fading from her features, transforming her look into something more threatening.

The building hardness in her expression is a warning. A blatant you-better-know-what-you’re-fucking-doing. And with this, I do. Without a doubt I know she shouldn’t fuck with Torian.

“Then why the hell was I told differently?” he asks.

“It was a miscommunication.” I wipe the lingering moisture from my face with my forearm. “Tobias is fine.”

“Fine?” Torian’s eyes narrow. “I was told he was in urgent need of medical attention. Isn’t that the story she gave my sister?”

“Like I said, it was a miscommunication.” I pin him with a stare. With a silent warning I’m not going to budge. “But it doesn’t change the fact her friends are stuck back at your dad’s house. We need to get them out before someone is instructed to dispose of evidence.”

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