“I don’t like this,” Sebastian growls. “I want to know what the hell is going on.”
The room falls silent waiting for me to make the next move. I don’t know what to do—succumb to my brother, give Luca what he wants, or forge ahead with my demand to leave.
Every option has pitfalls, but none more so than my lack of confidence to get off this island alone or my fear at dragging my brother into a mess he won’t survive.
That leaves Luca.
“Let us talk in private.” I glance away, wanting the surly man to know I’m not happily obliging to his request.
There’s more silence, where I feel my brother’s wince instead of seeing it. His disappointment ebbs through the room, dirtying my skin.
“If you need anything,” he bites out, “you fucking yell, okay? Scream and I’ll be back in here to kill this motherfucker before he can take another breath.”
I don’t show my appreciation. I can’t. Letting my guard down and thanking him isn’t something I can come back from. Instead, I turn to crouch before Tobias, yet again pasting on a dishonest smile.
“I don’t want to go,” he starts. “I want to stay with you.”
“I know. But you’re going to be fine.” I pray I’m not lying to him. I beg the heavens to grant me this one favor. “It’s only for a few minutes.”
“You promise?”
“Of course I do. I’d never put you in harm’s way. You know that.” I grab his hands. “Go. Get some food. Take a look around.”
“But—”
“It’s time to listen, Tobias. This is important. Remember what I said about getting back home?”
He nods, his face pinched with understanding.
“Good.” I squeeze his fingers. “We need to get the others. And to do that I have to talk to Luca.”
He sinks his teeth into his lower lip as if fighting off the need to disobey.
“It’s only a few minutes,” I repeat. “Find me something to eat.”
“Come on, kiddo.” Sebastian’s voice is filled with reluctance. “Neither one of us want to leave her, so let’s do it together.”
I ignore the ache in my heart and lean forward to whisper in Toby’s ear. “Don’t answer any questions. Don’t tell them anything.”
He wraps his arms around me, clinging tight as if we’re about to be separated for months instead of moments. “I’ll be smart.”
“I know you will.” I pull back and give him a quick kiss on the forehead. “Go.”
He holds his head high as he walks toward the strangers, Keira reaching out a hand he refuses to take.
That little boy has a wealth of fortitude. With his upbringing, he had no choice. Violence has been an everyday occurrence. He was raised on a steady diet of brutality.
He hasn’t even cried over his father’s death—there have only been a million sniffles to hold the emotion at bay. He will break, though. Once he feels safe he’ll temporarily slip into the child he’s meant to be, letting the heartache free before he becomes the product of his emotionless father all over again.
“We’ll be back soon.” Sebastian starts for the door. “And we’re not going far.”
They leave together, each member of the trio taking turns in glancing over their shoulder with uncertainty before Luca closes the door behind them, trapping me in the room with him.
I try not to falter. To panic at the isolation with this formidable man.
“It’s not a good idea to lie.” He turns to face me, his eyes squinted in judgment. “So let’s pretend it didn’t happen.”
“Excuse me?” I swallow over the building tension. This man is nothing in comparison to Luther, or even Chris or Robert. But he’s devoid of innocence, too. There’s something about him that niggles at my self-preservation.
“We both know that kid isn’t diabetic.”
I hold his stare, neither confirming nor denying his keen assessment.
“He hasn’t had food or water for a damn long time,” he drawls, “I’m sure he’d be showing symptoms by now.”
Still I don’t respond.
“But I get it.” He approaches in a lazy stride. Cool. Confident. Blood still painted down one cheek. The gash on the side of his head still glistening. “You’re scared. You’re grasping at straws to get your friends to safety.”
“My family,” I correct.
He inclines his head with a wince. “Yes. Your family. Those women. I’d do whatever it takes, too. But lying isn’t going to help you. If you lead Torian into a bloodbath based on bullshit you’re not going to like how he retaliates.”
I step back at the warning. “You’re threatening me?”
“I’m protecting you,” he snarls. “You won’t get what you want if you base your plea on lies. I told you I would take care of it.”
“Yes, you told me you’d take care of it, with no understanding of the situation you’re facing or the looming deadline. If we’re going to be telling each other the truth, the least you can do is admit you were fobbing me off.”
“No, I wasn’t. I was only attempting to clean up one fucking mess before I took on another.” He pinches the bridge of his nose and squeezes his eyes shut.
For a moment, I’m struck by his show of vulnerability.
He’s hurting.
I haven’t seen weakness from a man since I was taken by Luther long ago. It’s always been strong men with stronger fists. And yes, this man remains strong, but there’s a sense of honesty about him, too.
“I made a promise,” he grates. “I don’t do that lightly.”
“You’ve made many promises. Including setting me free.”
His eyes open slightly, narrowed slits staring back at me. “You are free.”
My yearning to believe him hasn’t lessened. Neither has the determination not to trust him.
“I’ll help those women,” he continues. “Have faith I can get them out.”
“You won’t make it through the front gates without me.”
“Then I’m happy for you to provide the necessary insight that helps us to get in another way.”
“Us?” I ignore yet another refusal to let me leave and focus on obtaining more information about his plan.
“I’m not stupid enough to go on my own. Your brother will want to help, and Hunter is always looking for a bit of fun.”
Fun? Fun.
“Wrong choice of words.” He drops his hand from his nose and holds it up to me in placation. “I meant Hunter enjoys retribution. Especially against those who deserve a lot of it. Your tormentors will pay for what they’ve done.”
“I don’t care about revenge. All I want are my sis—”
There’s a tentative knock at the door.
“Yeah?” Luca snaps.
The barrier to the rest of the world opens, Tobias’s little face coming into view. He rushes toward me, keeping his distance from Luca as he passes to hold up a cookie.
“This is for you,” he offers. “They said you need to eat.”
“Thank you.” I grasp the offering but can’t stomach taking a bite, not with the lives of four people riding on my negotiating skills.