Page 96 of Saving Her

“What will happen to her body?”

He sucks in a tired breath. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

“Please don’t lie to me.”

“I assure you, I have no idea.” He rakes a hand through the unscathed side of his head, ruffling his hair. “I haven’t discussed it with Torian. But if I had to take a guess, I’m confident you wouldn’t be comforted by the answer.”

I thought as much.

Her body will disappear just like Chris and Luther’s. There won’t be a funeral. Or a memorial for a woman who deserved so much more than the world gave her.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs. “I wish you weren’t going through this.”

I lower my gaze to the bed as I battle the effects of his sympathy. I haven’t experienced kindness in a long time. Especially not from a man.

“Is there anything I can do?” he asks.

I could reiterate how much I want to stay. That separating me from Tobias is only going to make my life harder, but the quiet hours alone have made me realize that he’ll be fine without me. It’s better for him if he doesn’t witness any of my upcoming meltdowns.

“I think you’ve done enough.” I glance up at him through my lashes, our gazes brushing.

“I haven’t done anything.”

“Yes, you have. And I want to thank you for it all. I wish I could repay you.”

“You can.”

My heart stops, and for a brief moment I dive back into the heavy ocean of fear as I wait for him to request sexual favors.

“You can get help,” he whispers. “Do whatever it takes to reclaim your life and be happy again.”

A relieved breath escapes me. He keeps proving he’s not like the others. But I return my attention to the covers, not wanting to lower myself to explain why his request is impossible. Can someone without worth find happiness? Is it even possible?

“You’re important, Penny—you know that, right?” He pauses, the silence killing me softly. “Your life has meaning and value. People love you.”

My eyes burn as he strips me layer by layer. Word by word.

“And if there’s anything else you need from me, I’ll give it to you,” he continues. “Even if it means laying here in silence, pretending I’m asleep, while you try to figure me out.”

“I don’t need to figure you out. I’m leaving, remember?” I shoot him a glance.

“How could I forget?” He grins. “I’m devastated that I’m losing the one person who can keep me on my toes.”

“Don’t worry. Tobias will fill those shoes quick enough.”

He chuckles, the sound husky and low. All his tenderness flows into me, the effect punishing. A raging flood after a lifetime of drought. “Is anything else worrying you?”

How does he know? How can he read me so easily? “You said one of the guards escaped. Doesn’t that mean it’s not safe here?”

“It’s safe enough.” He holds my gaze, his confidence reassuring. “We can hear anyone approach. And there are already mercenaries out on the water keeping watch. Soon, Torian will have this place locked tighter than Fort Knox. Then there’s Hunter, too. He’ll return as soon as he hands over your friends.”

“Hands them over to who?”

“My brother.”

I nod, slightly comforted by his answer. If his brother is even half the man Luca is, I’m almost convinced my sisters will be in good hands. “And what about you?”

“What about me?”

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