Page 59 of Saving Her

“They’re my family,” Penny corrects. “Not just friends. They’re my sisters.”

“So I’ve heard.” Cole scrutinizes her, the slow appraisal moving from head to toe. He’s weighing his options, judging her concern and the worth of her sisters against the risk associated with rescuing them. “Keira is being rather pushy about sending us back to Naxos to get these women. What are your thoughts, Luca?”

Penny’s focus snaps to me and in an instant she regresses from strong warrior to begging beauty. I could stand here for hours drowning in her silent pleas, the gentle sweep of her lashes, the subtle waver to her breathing.

“I need more details,” I admit. “At the moment, I’m not entirely sure what we’re up against, but I don’t see why Hunt, Deck, and I can’t go on a recovery mission. We could get information while we’re there.”

“I was thinking the same thing.” Torian gives a subtle nod. “I’d be interested in any hard drives you could find. A prisoner would be even better.”

“I’m sure that could be arranged.” I grab a clean shirt from the counter and slowly drag it over my head, making sure not to bump the newest addition to my scar tally. “If Penny came with us it could save time.”

“Fuck off.” Decker pushes past Torian to get into the bathroom. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“Please.” Penny ignores her brother and speaks to my boss. “I could get you whatever you want—files, computers, money—I can even show you where the safes are. Nobody else knows that place like I do. Not even the guards have been there as long as I have.”

“Me too,” the boy adds. “I know all Baba’s passwords.”

“Over my dead body,” Decker snarls. “I won’t allow it.”

Penny hardens—her face, her posture, those damn eyes. “You’re not my keeper.” She returns her focus to Torian. “He’s a stranger to me. He has no right to make decisions on my behalf.”

Decker pulls back as if the verbal attack was physical. We’re all quiet as a kaleidoscope of emotions barrage his features. First shock, then pain, and finally volatile fucking fury as he pins me with a glare. “You did this. I don’t know how, but you’re fucking responsible.”

“I didn’t do shit.” The pound in my head increases, my vision darkening with the onslaught of raised voices. The gift of unconsciousness hovers close, but if I pass out Penny won’t get what she wants. Nobody else is going to fight to get her friends back. “I’ll make sure she’s protected.”

Decker snarls. “Like fuck—”

“Stop.” Torian raises a hand in warning. “We’re moving this conversation into the living room. Let the boy dress in privacy.”

He stalks from the doorway.

Nobody follows.

Decker continues to glare at me. Penny remains on edge. And I’m pretty sure Hunt is only hanging around because he enjoys the dramatics.

“You heard him.” I push from the vanity, willing my legs to keep holding my weight. “Start moving.”

Decker sneers at me before storming from the room, Hunt shadowing.

I wait until their footsteps fade, for everything to dissolve into the distance, and turn to Penny. “You okay?”

She raises a brow. “Areyou? Your skin has turned grey.”

“We’re not talking about me right now.”

She nudges closer to Tobias and dries his hair with the corner of the towel. “I’ve been through worse than an argument with my brother.”

That goes without saying. The thought of what she endured at the hands of Luther sits like a lead weight in my gut.

“I can look after myself.” She keeps ruffling the kid’s hair with the towel. “I just need you to convince them to take me when you go back to Naxos.”

“I’ll try.” I’m not sure I want to make promises. I’m not even sure earning her trust is the right thing to do. “Why don’t you freshen up while you’re in here? I couldn’t find any pants to fit you, but I brought in an extra shirt. And there’s a lock on the door, if that helps.”

I don’t wait for a reply before leaving the enclosed space, my steps wonky as I enter the bedroom to come face-to-face with barely contained fury.

“I don’t know what the fuck you’ve done to turn her against me,” Decker seethes quietly, “but I swear on my life, you’re going to pay.”

“She’s in shock. Give her space to sort herself out.”

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