He taps his cell again, lighting up the screen with the picture on it. “I’m wondering if you recognize him.”
“Me?” She glances at me in confusion before settling her attention back on Torian. “Why would I recognize him?”
“No reason. Just covering all my bases.” He pushes his phone toward her, letting her frame it in both hands. “The image quality isn’t the best.”
She stares at the screen, not seeming to show any sign of recognition. At least not until I notice the tremble in her fingers and the lighter shade to her cheeks.
“Pen?” I slide into the seat beside her. “Do you know who it is?”
“Is this a joke?” She looks at me, her face ashen. “Please tell me this is some sick—”
“You recognize him?” Torian asks.
“When was this taken?” Her eyes scream with panic.
“Yesterday afternoon.”
I reach for her, but she drops the phone to the table and pushes from her chair, distancing herself as she stands. “Where?”
“At a gas station ATM,” Torian answers.
“Where?” She repeats. “What gas station? Which ATM?”
“The one on the corner of Boulevard and Cheshire. It’s a ten-minute drive from here.”
A heaved breath shudders from her lips. Followed by another and another, her shoulders trembling with the exhales.
“Penny?” I slowly rise to my feet, not wanting to spook her further. “What’s going on?”
“You lied to me,” she whispers. “You told me he was dead.”
“Who’s dead?” Torian’s chair scrapes as he stands.
“Robert,” she yells. “That man in the photo is Robert.”
“No, shorty.” My refusal is adamant as I reach for her. “You’re mistaken. It’s not him.”
“The image is blurry at best.” Torian speaks over me. “The guy’s face is mostly covered.”
She shoves me away, regaining space. “You think I wouldn’t recognize a man who tormented me for years? I’d know him anywhere. And yet he was here. In Portland. A mere ten-minute drive away.”
“No…” I reach for her again and she revolts.
“You promised.” She backtracks. “You promised he was dead. You promised I was safe.”
“You are.” I follow her. “I would’ve bet my goddamn life he was dead.”
“Instead, you bet mine.” She places more space between us, one step after another. “You staked my life, Luca.”
“I’d never do that.”
I don’t get it.
I don’t fucking understand.
“Pen, calm down,” I beg. “You didn’t sleep well last night. Why don’t you take another look at the photo—”
“I didn’t sleep well?” Her eyes plead with me. “You don’t believe me?”
I hold up my hands in placation. “I’m just trying to understand what the fuck is happening.”
Trying.
Struggling.
I’d been in that room in Greece. I watched as Luther drew his gun and vowed to handle Robert. But we had to leave.
Anissa had been hurt. Scared. In danger.
I heard the gunshot. That blast rang in my fucking ears.
“I need to leave.” Penny scrutinizes her surroundings, glancing around the room as if threatened by the furniture, scanning the yard as she retreats step after step toward the hall.
“You’re safe,” I vow.
“How can you say that? You have no idea what you’re up against. You don’t even trust me. You think I’m crazy.”
“I do trust you.”
“Then listen to me.” The tremble in her hands increases as she glances between me and Cole. “Please, Luca, you need to believe me.”
“Okay.” I keep my arms raised. “I believe you. I promise I believe you. Just stop walking away from me. You don’t get to run again.”
“I don’t know what else to do. I can’t stay here. He’ll come after me. He won’t stop.”
“Neither will I. You hear me?” I bridge the space between us and pull her against my chest. I stare at Torian over her shoulder, noting the skepticism heavy in his features. “I won’t let anyone near you.”
“You don’t understand what he’s like. He won’t give up.”
I squeeze her tighter, only to have her scamper from my hold.
A gasp breaches her lips. Her eyes flare. “Last night… oh, my God. That was him.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Torian warns. “You need to stop jumping to conclusions. Even if by some stretch of the imagination Robert is alive, he’d know Portland isn’t a smart place for him to hide.”
“He’d never hide.” She pulls back. “He’d be here for payback. He’s here for me. I want a gun, Luca. You need to get me a gun.”
I nod. “We’ll discuss it later. Right now, we have to make a move. Go pack your things. We’re getting out of here.”
She doesn’t wait for any further instruction. She rushes for the hall, her fear-filled expression haunting me even once she’s out of view.
“You