Page 92 of Saving Her

For a brief second, I expect her to crumple. To wither under the news. Instead, she squares her shoulders, emboldened by her increasing murder tally.

“We needed him for information. Now we’re back to flying blind.” I chance a step forward. “You can’t blame Torian for being pissed.”

“I can blame him for a whole lot of things.”

I shrug. “And if it makes you feel better, go ahead. But you don’t know the guy. He had no clue about his father’s schemes. He didn’t even know about Tobias. He might be a bit sketchy when it comes to the way he earns his money, but he’s not like Luther.”

“I find that hard to believe. Luther spoke to people in Portland all the time. Almost daily. They knew what was going on.”

I nod. “I don’t doubt that. Cole’s old man packed up and left the States years ago, but he wouldn’t have severed his connections. We knew he had lingering spies. His brother, Richard, was one of them.”

She pulls back, the revolt minute but there all the same.

“You knew Richard?” I ask.

She clenches those arms tighter around her middle and glances away. “No, nobody can truly know someone so evil. But I’ve witnessed firsthand what he’s capable of.”

“What hewascapable of.”

Her focus returns to mine, her face slightly downcast as she stares at me through thick lashes. “Meaning?”

“Take relief in knowing he’s dead. One by one, they’re all going to get taken down. I won’t stop until they’re all gone. You can leave knowing I’m keeping my promise to end this.”

She holds my stare, those dark eyes stirring up shit inside me that shouldn’t be felt. Not for Decker’s sister. Not for a broken, tormented beauty of a woman.

“I’m not leaving Tobias,” she repeats, this time softer, without the theatrics. “I won’t.”

I nod, giving her a sad smile. “I wish you had a choice, shorty.”

“Please, Luca.” Her lips tremble. “I can’t go without him.”

More strikes lash my skin. Slicing deep. All I want to do is give her what she wants. Instead, I have to take solace in giving her what she needs. “You should freshen up. Take a shower and get some rest.” I start for the door. “You’ve got another big day ahead of you.”

14

Penny

I spenda long time standing near the door, listening to the soft murmur of friendly conversation between Tobias and Keira. She makes him laugh. Despite everything he’s been through, he takes to her effortlessly.

And maybe that’s what he needs—happiness. The freedom to breathe without restriction from a brutal father.

I guess he also needs the positivity and bright outlook that I’ve only ever been able to fake. I may smother him in cuddles and kisses, but my aura has always been filled with doom and gloom.

He yearns for something I can’t provide. And who am I to keep it from him?

Nobody. That’s who.

The more I remain in solitude, the more my drowning emotions shift, their slow retreat making it easier to think as the hollowness returns.

Everyone is better off without me. My sisters. Toby.

I’ve never been helpful to any of them. I was responsible for more women suffering because of Luther’s obsession with me. Once Tobias finds out, he’ll hate me. And so he should. Not only for the damage I inflicted, but because I can’t bring myself to tell him about Chloe.

He’ll have to find out from someone else. Someone foreign.

Keira, maybe.

I push from the wall and escape into the adjoining bathroom to take the shower Luca suggested. I hang my head under the spray. I try to let the water cleanse me, but there’s no escaping the exhausting weight of my failures.

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