got. And I’m not going to put my family in harm’s way because of my hatred for you. I want to find this fucker, and it needs to be before tonight.”
The bathroom door opens and Penny pads into the room, her loose hair damp around her shoulders, her skin flushed, her T-shirt and jeans still incredibly baggy. As soon as she notices I’ve got company, she stops, her eyes growing wide. She glances between me and her brother. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” I walk for the duffle to dump my Mac inside. “Deck and I are getting out of here.”
Her gaze turns frantic. “The two of you?”
“It’s all good, Pen.” Decker jerks his chin at her. “We’re setting our differences aside. For now.”
She pins me with a stare. “Is he serious?”
“Quit eying me like that. You heard the guy; we’ve become best buddies.” I wink at her. “But we need to make a move. We’ve got a lot to do.”
She continues with the visual tennis match as she slowly nods. “Okay. What should I do? I need to help.”
“Nothing,” Decker answers for me. “Relax. Read a book. There isn’t anything you can do.”
The moron has no idea she’s incapable of relaxation. She needs a distraction.
“You said you remember Luther talking to Benji.” I walk to her, gliding my hands over her upper arms. “It would help if you started recalling anyone else he might have spoken to. I need names and specifics. Come up with as many details as you can. No matter how big or small.” I run my fingers over her chin and lean in for a kiss. “Robert’s working with someone, and the more information we have, the easier it will be to find him.”
She nods into me. “I can do that.”
Decker mutters something under his breath and trudges to the hall.
I take a second to breathe her in. To remain close before I have to leave. I kiss her again, deeper, and my dick appreciates the proximity.
“I like this.” I skim a hand down her arm to the leather cuff firmly affixed to her wrist. “It looks good on you.”
“It’s the only weapon I have, which means I’ll never take it off. All I need now is to learn how to use it.”
I lean back, already regretting the distance I’m about to place between us. “I’ll teach you as soon as I can, okay? And I’m sure Sarah would be happy to show you a trick or two.”
“Okay.”
I step away, retreating toward the door. “I’ll have my phone on me all day. Do you still have the cell I bought you?”
Her eyes widen. “I didn’t bring it.”
“It’s no big deal. I’ll be back as soon as I can. But if you want me for any reason, just ask one of the others for a phone. They’ve all got my number.”
She bites into her bottom lip, her teeth digging deep. “Please stay safe.”
I smirk. “Always.”
She attempts a smile. “I mean it. I need you to come back. And I need you to look after him.” She glances toward the hall and lowers her voice. “Please don’t let anything happen to Sebastian.”
“I will.” I cross a finger over my heart. “I promise.”
I just hope I’m capable of fulfilling the vow.
28
Penny
I started on the list as soon as they left. It took a while, my unwanted memories unwilling to come forward after I’ve spent weeks attempting to suppress them.
When I’d finished, Keira texted the information to Luca.
She didn’t seem surprised by the names I came up with. Nothing triggered her interest—at least not from what I could tell. Her disregard only made me strive to focus harder on my past in the hopes of coming up with something pivotal.
Even after she sent the message, I relived my time in Greece like a rolodex, flicking over one memory to the next, trying to recall the details of Luther’s conversations only to gain tiny snippets that seemed inconsequential. There was too much static to think clearly. Too much debilitating anger that blocked the finer details of the past.
By mid-morning, I was frantic with the need for a distraction without Luca by my side.
There were no updates on his progress as I watched Tobias and Stella play with the nanny. I surrounded myself in their laughter because each passing hour made my apprehension grow.
The other women spent their time making calls and dinner plans. I overheard Layla cancelling reservations people had already booked at Cole’s restaurant, while Keira contacted extended family to invite