takes another sip of coffee. “Because you like her?”
“Of course I like her. I wouldn’t be going through this hell if I didn’t.”
“No. I mean you really like her. Lover boy Luca wants to make babies with Decker’s sister.”
I push from the counter, my teeth set in a snarl. “Don’t joke about shit like that. Not after what she’s been through.”
“Calm your tits.” She looks me up and down, seeming to find me lacking, which only increases my rage. “She’s still a woman. And a beautiful one at that. Who knows? Fucking your sad ass might be the best thing for her.”
“This was a mistake.” I stalk forward and grab her mug. “It’s time to leave.”
She clings tight to the handle. “Don’t steal my coffee, Luca. No man could survive that battle.”
I itch to pull out the gun that lives in the back of my waistband. To threaten. To frighten. But I know the tactic won’t work on Sarah.
Not today when she’s an emotionless black hole.
“Fine. I’ll stop, Okay?” She raises a hand in surrender. “Release the mug and nobody gets hurt.”
“Bullshit. You don’t know how to stop.”
“You’re right.” She smirks. “How ’bout I promise to rein it in a little?”
“I’ll still want to kill you.”
The consuming frustration won’t change until I fix this. I feel like a fucking caveman—all action and aggression. No mental comprehension.
I need fresh air. I need a release.
I need fucking guns and adrenaline and sex.
“Look, I meant what I said before.” She tugs the mug from my grip and downs the contents. “You need to build her back up. Make her strong. Teach her how to defend herself. Scare her into action if you have to.”
“Scare her? After everything she’s already been through?” I grab my phone from the counter and scroll to the surveillance icon, making sure Penny is still seeking sanctuary in the deck chair. “You’re a heartless bitch. You know that, right?”
She shrugs. “Put that title on a T-shirt and I’ll wear it with pride, because realistically, having my opinion without emotional attachment works in her favor when you’re too close to see what’s really happening. You’re enabling her. There’s no way Decker would let his sister get away with this death by melancholy.”
“I’m doing my best. He wanted me to treat her right. And I am. I even thought about buying her a goddamn puppy.”
Her face turns deadpan. “Do not buy her a puppy, you fucking pussy.”
“Stop calling me that,” I snarl.
“Then stop acting like one. Seriously, who the hell are you, and what have you done with the badass I used to know? Where’s the real Luca? Because this right here—” she waves a hand in my direction “—is a fucking pitiful replacement. You’re pandering. To a woman. She’s never going to be reunited with Tobias in this state. She’s never going to be strong enough to return to her family. You need to push her again.”
She slides from her stool and smoothes her leather jacket. “And just FYI. Torian came home yesterday, so you’re—”
“Why the fuck am I still being kept in the dark?”
“Because I asked him to.” She straightens to her full height. “You need all the space you can get. And as I was saying, you’re running out of time to fix this. Hunt and Deck are still in Greece tying up loose ends, but they’ll be back soon and what do you think will happen then? Decker won’t continue letting you make choices for his sister when she’s a goddamn mess. So buck up, asshole. Or prepare to stand aside.”
I stiffen at the truth in her words. At the looming separation.
I won’t let someone else take over Penny’s care. Not even if it’s her family. Especially when it’s not what she wants.
“Handle it, Luca.” Sarah grabs her keys and purse from the counter and makes for the hall. “And do not buy her a fucking puppy.”
She walks herself out. I’m too busy wallowing in self-loathing to follow.
I hate that she’s right.
Fucking detest it.
The thought of hurting Penny again makes me livid. But I need to make my move—before it’s too late.
And, from the sight of Penny approaching the French doors in my periphery, now is as good a time as any.
“Did she leave?” She steps inside, cautiously looking around.
“Yeah. It’s safe.”
I receive a half-hearted smile in return, the gorgeousness quickly fading. “Why did she come over this time?”
I could lie. I could blame my upcoming actions on Sarah, too.
“Luca?” She approaches, her brows raised in question,