Page 99 of Saving Her

When he starts to let out the lightest rumble of a snore, I break away, gently guiding his arm to the mattress.

Each retreating step is done not only with reluctance, but with soul-tearing sadness. And when I turn to face Keira, she’s not there, Luca having taken her place in the doorway.

He’s dressed, in black jeans and a matching T-shirt, and with the growing stubble along his jaw, the mass of darkness makes his hazel eyes more intense.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

“Do I have a choice?

“Nope.”

I sigh. “Then yes, I’m ready.”

“Keira will take good care of him. She’s always been great with kids. And I’ll keep an eye on him, too.”

“Thank you.”

I follow him as he leads the way down the hall and into the living room. My brother is already there, leaned against the back of a sofa, a suitcase at his side, his gaze lowered. He doesn’t look up as I approach. The only acknowledgement of my existence comes from the slight tightening of his shoulders. The lightest flinch.

“Well, I’ll see you around, shorty.” Luca gives my shoulder a quick squeeze, the touch lingering well after he drags his hand away. “Look after your—”

“I wouldn’t say your farewells just yet.” Torian pushes from his seat at the dining table to walk toward us. “You’re the one taking her home.”

There’s an awkward pause. My stomach drops. Everyone glances at each other. Me to Luca. Luca to Sebastian. Sebastian to Cole.

“No, he’s not.” My brother straightens from the sofa. “I am.”

“You were,” Torian corrects. “But not anymore. It’s Luca who has to leave.”

15

Luca

“No fucking way,”Decker snarls. “I’m taking her back. Not him.”

“There’s been a change of plan.” Torian pins me with a stare. “You need to return to Portland.”

“Why?” Foreboding crawls up my spine. He’s got that look in his eyes again. The one that announces he’s made up his mind. “What happened?”

“You’re hurt. It’s not safe for anyone if you stay.”

“Then give him some Advil and a fuckin’ Band-Aid and he’ll be fine.” Decker clenches his fists at his sides, barely containing his anger. “Because she’s not leaving with him.”

“I’m not arguing over this. Luca is injured, so he’s the one getting out of here.”

“I’m not injured, Torian. I’m good.” I might feel like I’m suffering the worst hangover of my existence, my eyes seemingly coated in a thin layer of gravel while my head continues to pound. But essentially, I’m good. “It’s a fucking scratch.”

“A scratch?” He approaches, his smile dark as he shoves my chest.

“Fuck.” I stumble backward, my skull clenching as if it’s in a vise. “What the fuck was that for?”

Torian takes a swing, confusing the hell out of me.

I duck and lose my balance. I stumble, fumbling over my feet, my vision darkening as I land on my fucking ass. Hard.

“You’re good?” Torian stands over me, looking down his nose at my fucked-up position on the floor. “Really? You can’t even stay on your feet, which means you’re far from good. You’re a fucking liability.”

“He’s got a concussion.” Penny rushes toward me, her eyes filled with concern as she offers a hand to help me stand. “Are you all right?”

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