“But they definitely get to go home, right?”
“Of course.”
“And what about me? Will I go through the same process?”
He shrugs. “Something similar, I assume. But that’s up to Sebastian.”
My pulse quickens. “Why him? Why does he get to decide?”
His lips part, his hesitation speaking volumes.
“Luca?”
“You weren’t told he’s the one taking you home?”
“No, I wasn’t.” I guess I should’ve expected it, yet here I am, surprised and beating away panic. “I could go on my own. I don’t need him to take me.”
“You’d leave an island where you were enslaved, with no protection, to board a jet with pilots you don’t know, all because you don’t want to be near your brother?”
“I told you why—”
“I know.” He raises a dismissive hand. “I get it. But I’m not going to let you leave alone. It’s not safe.”
I wish he wasn’t right. I wish so badly, because that flight will be hell.
“Have you allowed yourself to grieve yet?” he asks.
“I haven’t stopped grieving since Luther stole my life.”
He nods, the movement slight. “Want to talk about it?”
“No.” Not the violations or the punishments.
“What about Chloe? Do you want to talk about her?” He stares at me, his comfort sinking into my heart. “How long did you know her?”
“Six months. Maybe a little more.”
I remember the day she arrived, her face red and swollen, her cheek blackened with a hearty bruise. Some women took their time opening up to the other members of Luther’s harem, but not Chloe. She fell into my arms at first sight and cried for hours.
“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?”
“Will you get help? Will you see a doctor? I don’t think someone in your condition should even be sleeping unsupervised.”
His lips kick. “Are you offering to keep watch, shorty?”
There’s a beat of silence where I blink in shock at the unexpected flirtation.
“Fuck,” he curses under his breath. “I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s okay.” I shake my head, my cheeks heating.
“No. I’m fucking sorry,” he grates. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I know.” I truly believe him, because why would a man like him flirt with a whore like me? It was clearly a mistake. “You don’t need to explain.”
A door opens directly across the hall and Cole steps out, his scrutinizing attention falling on me before coming to rest on Luca.
He raises a brow, drawing assumptions about my presence before he clears his throat. “The jet is here. It’s time to leave.”
I beat back the burst of apprehension and retreat from the end of the bed. “Am I allowed a few moments to see Tobias one last time? I won’t wake him.”
Cole gives a short nod, his face remaining tight.
“Thank you.” I hate those words. I hate that I’m giving them to him. But they’re necessary. He cleaned up one of my murder victims and I desperately need him to clean up the second.
I turn back to Luca. “Thank you again. For everything.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I don’t wait for the discomfort of this farewell to set in. Once I leave here, I won’t think of my harsh protector again. I can’t. People like Luca are only a temporary fantasy.
I hustle from his bedroom and make my way to Tobias, my heart squeezing at the sight of him resting peacefully in the single bed. I make sure not to get too close and remain hovering at the door, the brush of light footsteps approaching seconds later.