Page 81 of Saving Her

“Three,” I repeat. “When there were five of us. Not to mention all those who died previously at your father’s command.”

Her relaxation vanishes. “I’m so—”

“I wish I had a definitive number to give to you because I’m sure you guys have some sort of family death tally, but I gave up counting a few months after I arrived.”

“Penny, I…”

“What?” I raise my brows. “You’re sorry?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. For everything.”

“Do you feel sorry when you’re putting on your designer clothes? Or those expensive shoes? Because you know where your family’s money came from, right?”

She pulls back, clearly offended.

“And are you sorry when you’re sleeping with the man whose family you destroyed? Are you sorry when you’re fucking my brother?”

“Penny.” She raises her hands in placation. “I didn’t do anything wrong. We didn’t know what was happening here and as soon as we found out we took action.”

“You found out three days ago?” I wave away my heavy sarcasm, not entirely sure why I’m trying to pick a fight. This woman means nothing to me. I don’t care what she says or thinks. All I want from her is instructions on how to find Otis. I need directions to help stop the insanity beating down on me. “Do I turn left or right down the hall to find them?”

“Please don’t blame me.” Her face crumples. “I haven’t gotten through this unscathed either. We’re all suffering. Some more than others.”

I should havetriggeredtattooed on my forehead for the number of buttons she simultaneously pressed. “Wow.”

“Listen.” She reaches for me, then thinks better for it, her hand falling to her side. “The perversions weren’t contained to the Greek islands. They happened at home, too. And I was a victim.”

It’s my turn to pull back, my retreat made in confusion. “What sort of victim?”

“One like you. I was only a child when I lost my innocence to a man.”

“Luther?” The name whispers from my lips.

“No. Not my father. But it was someone he knew was a monster and he allowed them access to me anyway.”

My punishment increases. The anger I had for her moments before escapes in a vacuum. One minute, it’s there. The next, it’s gone, being replaced by more choking guilt.

Every time I think I’ve become accustomed to how shocking the crimes of men can be, the world teaches me differently. I’m repeatedly shown that there’s no escaping the misery.

“What I was put through is nothing in comparison to what you’ve endured.” She holds my gaze, now backing away from my scrutiny. “But I’m not clueless to your suffering. And I struggle every day knowing I could’ve put a stop to it sooner if I didn’t think I was the only one. So I’m sorry.” Her eyes begin to water as she sucks in a deep breath. “I’m sorry for my ignorance… I’m sorry for the actions of my father…” Her lips begin to tremble. “And I’m sorry for falling in love with your brother, but Sebastian is the one who saved me, and I’m sure he can do the same for you if only you’d let him.”

Goosebumps skitter over my skin, every inch of me touched by her words.

I don’t know what to say. I’m not strong enough to apologize to the daughter of my rapist, no matter the severity of her plight.

She gives me a sad smile through the awkward silence. “Would you like something to eat?” Keira doesn’t wait for a response. She turns and walks for the kitchen, the muted sound of torture continuing to carry down the hall. “Tobias woke while you were gone. He asked about you.”

Tobias.

Oh,God. For a moment, I’d completely forgotten about him, my thoughts entirely selfish. “Was he scared?”

“No. Mostly curious. He sat with me for a while. I made him hot cocoa and told him about his family in Portland. He seems like a good kid.”

“Heisa good kid.” The muffled cries grow louder, the sweet promise of retribution plaguing me. “Did he go back to sleep?”

“He did. But I’m not sure how long he will stay that way with all the noise.”

I cringe, knowing exactly how much that little boy can sleep through. His slumber could withstand the suffering of me and my sisters on a nightly basis. The current muffled cries are nothing in comparison.

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