“It’s okay.” I nudge the device closer to her. “Take it.”
Hesitation reclaims her features as she eyes the weapon, her attention moving from my hand, to my wrist, and farther along my arm.
Fucking subtle.
She’s devising another plan to jab me. She practically has Plan B written on her forehead in neon.
“Thanks.” She steps forward, cautious.
Those delicate fingers brush my skin as she claims her prize.
But the thing is, her touch is worth the upcoming battle. The graze of her fingertips is the softest friction. A hypnotic fucking spell. And when her attention returns to my face I can almost pretend she’s peering back at me in sincerity.
Unfortunately, I know better in that regard, too.
She sinks her teeth into her lower lip, trying to play the timid yet thankful role. To get closer. To obtain the perfect vantage point to strike from. It’s so fucking obvious it plays out in my head like a movie before she even makes a move.
“Really,” she whispers. “Thank you.”
I keep my jaw locked and pretend every one of my nerves isn’t hyper-sensitive as I tell her, “Don’t mention it.”
My sincerity doesn’t stop her from tightening her grip on the weapon, though. And the resulting twitch of my cock isn’t my proudest moment.
Some sick part of me wants her to fight. Adrenaline floods my system at the thought of another reason to grab her.
“How do you plan on getting me out of here?” She creeps closer. “Just because Luther handed me over doesn’t mean he’ll allow my freedom. It’s too big a risk.”
“Let me worry about that.” I remain still, on alert, patiently waiting.
I should warn her not to follow through with her attack. If I was the good guy I’m pretending to be, I’d tell her to think twice. But she’s made it clear she has no desire to give me the truth. Not in words anyway. I’ll figure her out from her actions.
“Okay.” She nestles closer. “I trust you.”
The jut of her hand is quick. Lightning fast. I almost don’t catch it in time as she aims for my stomach.
“Too slow.” I snatch her wrist before impact, pull her forward, and sweep out my leg to knock her feet out from beneath her. I push her off-balance, delight in her gasp, and keep clinging to her arm as she falls.
I guide her slightly, making sure she doesn’t hit the carpet too hard. But then I’m all over her, pinning her body beneath mine and her hands above her head.
“I’m done playing games.” I smother her with my weight. “This was never about payback, or getting the syringe to Luther.”
She turns rigid, yet again refusing to call for help. It’s clear she knows she’s on her own. With no one to save her.
Well, she has me now. If only she’d fucking realize it.
“This is the last time I tell you—” I get in her face, her snarled lips a whisper from mine. “—I’m here to fucking save you. You hear me? You’re free.”
She bares her teeth. Glares. Thrashes.
Again, it’s not my proudest fucking moment when my dick enjoys the extravaganza. I don’t want to appreciate the way she writhes beneath me. God knows, Decker will kill me if he ever finds out.
“Stop fighting. Stop treating me like the fucking enemy.” I keep her pinned. “That woman you think is here against her will is working with us.” I shouldn’t be telling her this. It’s too dangerous. For her and me. “We’re taking down Luther’s operation. We won’t stop until we succeed.”
She lessens her fight for freedom.
“It’s true,” I continue. “The nightmare is over. You’re going home. But I need you to tell me if this attack was you. You have to be honest and let me know what I’m up against.”
She stares at me, those penetrating eyes scouring my face as if she’s searching for the Holy Grail. She’s starting to believe me. Finally, I’m getting through to her.
“Do you want me to call your brother? Is that it?” Slowly, I release her hands, keeping my attention on her weapon as I grab the cell from my jeans. “If I get him on the phone so you can speak to him, will you finally quit fighting?”
Her face pales, all the blood draining from her cheeks in an instant. “No.” She shakes her head. “I told you, I don’t have a brother.”
Why the fuck does she keep saying that?
It’s crystal clear she’s Penny Decker—Sebastian’s sister—the woman who was tempted away from the safety of her home by lies Luther fed her about a modelling career. If I’ve heard the story once, I’ve heard it a million times.
I know her. I’ve read the missing persons report. I spent all goddamn night scouring the internet, devouring everything I could find about her.
“Fine.” I climb off her, snatching her weapon as I go. “Have it your way.” I drop the cylinder to the carpet and crack it beneath my boot.
“No.” She scrambles onto all fours and lunges for my feet. “Don’t.”
“It’s done. Gone. Get over it.” I press harder, twisting my ankle from side to side as the device fractures. “Now, I’m preparing to go out there, guns blazing, because I’ve got a feeling this attack wasn’t your idea, but I need you to confirm it for me, okay? I need you to tell me, either way, was this you or him? Does Luther have anything else up his sleeve?”
She claws at my boot, thumping and tugging.
“Penny,” I snarl. “I need information so I can protect you properly. So I can protect that fucking kid.”
She slumps onto her haunches, her face crumpling with defeat.
“You or him?” I repeat.
More than her answer, I want her surrender. I want her to quit fighting and give in to me. To my protection.
“Penny,” I warn.
Her head falls back, lulling on her shoulders. I stop breathing as her lips part, her silent acquiescence already the sweetest sound to my ears.
“Luca.” Torian’s voice punches through my anticipation, his call faint. “Luc.”
Panic hits me, but it’s the sudden flare of fear in her eyes that makes me freeze. She knows what’s going on out there and it’s scaring the hell out of her.
“Tell me.” I grip her chin. “Tell me.”
I should be running for my boss, gun in hand. Instead, I can’t drag myself away from her. I tell myself it’s only for one more second in the hopes she’ll comply. Because information is key, right? I could gain an advantage over whatever the hell is going on out there if only she would give in to me.
“Luca,” Torian roars.
Shit.
I shake off my obsession with her and rush for the door, grabbing my pistol from the back of my waistband.
“Luca…”
Her voice is heaven to my ears. If only it wasn’t too little too late. I can’t hang around any longer.
“Luc, wait.”
Fuck.
I turn, finding her staring back at me, her forehead etched in pain.
“He’s out to get you.” There’s remorse in her tone. In her eyes, too. “And I have no doubt he’ll succeed.”
6