“Nothing.” I stop mid-pace. “I’m just thinking.”
“About Nina and Lilly?”
“Yes.” I paste on a smile. “Abi and Chloe, too. We need to get back to them. It’s really important.”
He nods, not a moment of hesitation. “I don’t want to stay here.”
“Me either. And we won’t. Not for long. But we might have to be a little sneaky to make sure we leave as soon as possible. Do you think you can handle that?”
“I’m always sneak—”
I hold up a hand, silencing him at the rumble of sound approaching the island. It’s a boat. The grumble grows louder and louder.
My chest tightens. Arrhythmia takes over.
If that’s Sebastian… if my brother is actually here…
A curdled mix of emotions strangle my insides—excitement, apprehension, impatience, fear.
I rush to the door and tilt my head to hear Luca and Cole’s conversation. They’re arguing about Anissa and when she should be sent home.
I hear the monotonous scrape of cleaning. The increased rumble from the boat. The building pound in my ears. Then the engine is cut and the fading gurgle makes me nauseous with indecision.
I itch to run for a brother that might be here to save me, yet I should hide from him, too.
I need him, and I have to stay away.
I can’t fall victim to weakness now. Not when my battle is far from over. Those women in Luther’s house are my top priority and succumbing to the allure of a savior won’t help any of us.
A door whooshes open in the distance. An unfamiliar woman’s voice rings out. And another. More men, too. But none I recognize.
I begin to sag with pained relief that my brother isn’t here when a cocky voice enters the mix.
“I’m told I have some secret present waiting for me.”
I suck in a ragged breath.
It’s him.
Sebastian.
My blood surges. My heart pounds.
I’m torn. Broken in two. It’s killing me not knowing if I should knock down my walls or build them higher. Keep battling or finally embrace vulnerability.
Every limb trembles with the need to surrender. I want, want, want my demons slain for me. It’s all I yearn for. Yet I can’t count on anyone. Not even a brother I previously would’ve entrusted with my life.
I back away from the door, letting longing slowly slip through my fingers.
“We need to get out of here, little guy.” I paste on a smile and turn to Tobias still sitting on the bed. “Are you ready for an adventure?”
“Where are we going? Will we take Baba’s boat back to Naxos?”
“Maybe. Do you know how to drive a boat?” I make the question light-hearted even though I seriously have no idea how we’re going to get off this island. I’m not sure I’d even know how to drive a car anymore, let alone a boat.
He gives me a sheepish grin, the first pleasure-filled expression he’s shown since this morning. “A little. Baba would let me steer the wheel sometimes.”
“That’s perfect.”
It’s entirely not perfect, but I’ll figure it out.
If we can escape without being noticed maybe I can wave down a fisherman or some tourists. Someone has to be on the water nearby.
I help Tobias from the bed and lead him to the window. “We’re going to climb out.” I grip the frame, about to pull the window open when I notice the motion sensors attached to the glass.
Goddammit.
“What’s wrong?” Tobias asks. “Do you need my help to lift it?”
My heart clenches at his sweetness. “No. It’s okay. But maybe going out the window isn’t the best idea.”
I need to think.
Think. Think. Think.
My brain fails me, my concentration continuously returning to the mumbled words carrying from the living room.
“Penny?” Tobias grips my blouse. “I need to use the bathroom.”
Shit.
“Can you hold on? Just for a little while?”
He winces. “I don’t know.”
“Where. The fuck. Is she?” My brother bellows from the living room.
He knows.
He’s been told I’m alive.
I swing around, searching for another way of escape. I can’t see him. Fragility already chips away at my bones.
“Penny?” Tobias tugs my blouse. “I’m scared.”
I exhale a pained breath.
Think. Think. Think.
Pounding footsteps approach, the thunder echoing inside my chest, the noise adding to the thud of my pulse.
Then everything stops as if the world was carried away on the breeze.
There’s no sound. No movement. Only the skitter of awareness at the back of my neck that tells me we’re no longer alone.
“Penny?”
This time my name isn’t spoken by Tobias.
It’s him. The man I’ve fought not to think about for months on end.
I tremble. Everywhere.
It’s hard to breathe as I turn and meet Sebastian’s stare in the doorway.
Sweet relief floods my system, drowning me in happiness.
Weakness.
I raise my chin to the threat. Square my shoulders and force myself not to break.
“Penny?” he repeats, his forehead wrinkled in anguish.
He’s older now, his bright eyes dull, his full smile non-existent. The man standing in the doorway has been hardened from the joyful young adult I remember.
I’m not sure I know this man and I’m certain he no longer knows me.
Tobias tugs my blouse again and whispers my name.
“It’s okay, Toby.” I clear the emotion from my throat but can’t stop myself from guiding him to move behind me. “There’s nothing to fear.”
It’s a lie.
I used to dream of this reunion. I’d picture how I would run to Sebastian once he’d saved me from this horror. I’d cry. He’d cry. Mom, Dad, and my older brother, Graham, would be there, too.
But those thoughts were merely fantasies when my captor made certain I would never be free.
I fear for my safety like never before. I’m scared this man will blind me to reality. That I’ll get washed up in the reunion I’ve longed for and forget that Luther has a plan for me that won’t end even though he’s dead.
“Oh, God, I can’t believe you’re alive.” Sebastian rushes forward.
I panic. Full-blown hysteria takes over.
“Stop.” I scramble backward, shielding Tobias behind me, one hand on his shoulder, the other stretched out in front of me in warning. “Stay where you are.”
My brother freezes. “Penny, it’s me.” His voice is filled with rejection. And the way he looks at me. God. I can’t take it.
I don’t know how he got mixed up with Luca and Cole. I’m not sure I want to know. But I can’t join him.
My sisters are still in danger. My new family need my help. And I won’t be anything other than worthless if I let my brother take one step closer to my temperamental stability.
“I don’t want to see you.” I backtrack, inching closer to the window.
He jerks as if my words hit him like a physical blow.
I can’t take the guilt. His sorrow strips layers from me—his judgment at who I’ve become slices deep.