don’t buy this crazed bullshit, do you?” Torian holds my gaze, his eyes narrowed. “After everything that happened, you still think it’s possible that asshole is alive?”
I’m trying to piece together the possibilities. We’d heard the gunshot, but we’d left the room. We didn’t physically see Robert dead.
“Did you hear his body hit the floor?” I ask.
“What?”
“Back in Greece. We left the room just as the gunshot was fired.” I pace, raking my hands through my hair. “But did you hear his body hit the ground? There would’ve been a hard clap of his fucking head against the tile. We should’ve—”
“You’re saying you think she’s right?” He scoffs.
“What I’m saying is that I can’t remember hearing Robert’s fucking body hit the floor.”
“We had other things on our mind,” he grates. “Jesus Christ, Luca. You’re thinking with your dick.”
No, I’m not thinking at all. I’m panicking. “What if she’s right? Are you willing to risk your family? Are you willing to risk Anissa? Because if that prick is still breathing, I’m sure he’s going to want revenge for what we did over there.”
And he’s not the type of psychopath to draw out the torture.
18
Penny
I clean out my wardrobe, packing my belongings into paper shopping bags while Luca remains in the living room with Cole.
I overhear parts of their aggressive argument.
They mention Anissa. My sisters. And Tobias.
My sweet, sweet Tobias.
I fall to my knees. Helpless.
That little boy is entirely vulnerable. But Robert would never hurt him. Not physically. They were like uncle and nephew. It’s the mental threat he poses that I can’t ignore.
Robert wouldn’t stand for Tobias being taken care of by the people who arranged Luther’s murder. And my sisters…oh, God.
Bile climbs up my throat.
Abi.
I knew she would never kill herself. I knew, and Luca didn’t believe me. None of them wanted to believe me.
I clutch a hand to the base of my neck and bow my head, begging the contents of my stomach to retreat.
Robert killed Abi. He tried to kill me. Who knows what he will attempt next.
“Pen?” Luca enters the doorway and falls to his knees before me. “Are you okay?”
“I need to get out of here.”
He nods. “We’re leaving right now.”
“Where?”
“Torian’s house.” He hits me with sad eyes. “Don’t worry. It’s a gated property with heavy surveillance. He’s already called in a security team to man the perimeter.”
I don’t think surveillance will matter. Or security. Nothing will stop Robert getting what he wants. Nothing but death.
“I want that gun, Luca. I need to be able to protect myself.”
His brows pinch. It’s the slightest cringe of a response.
“Luca?” I sit back on my haunches. “You said you could get me a gun. You promised in Greece.”
“You’re not going to need it. The house will be protected.”
“You’re denying me?”
“No.” He grabs my hands, tangling our fingers. “I’m telling you it’s not necessary. We’re taking this seriously, Pen. We’re going to cover all our bases, which starts with moving everyone to Torian’s house. That includes his sisters, our brothers, Hunter, Sarah, Stella and Tobias. It’s not a good idea to have you carrying a gun around those kids.”
“Tobias is going to be there? I’m going to see him?”
“Yes. We’ll all be living under the same roof for a while, which means it’s not smart to have guns in the hands of someone untrained.”
“Then train me,” I beg. “Nobody will protect Tobias like I will. I’d give my life—”
“And I’d give mine.” He speaks over me. “For him. And you.”
I sit back on my haunches, sliding my hands from his. “But I won’t make mistakes.”
He pulls away and I steel myself against his pained expression, not letting the guilt sink in.
This morning, I’d woken with a smile. I’d been a different woman. Hope had flown through me. I’d been wholeheartedly adamant my life had turned a corner.
Now that’s all gone.
Everything is—the security, the glimpse of positivity.
“I didn’t mean that. I just…” I wince.
“I get that you’re mad. You have every right to be. But you’ll see once we get there that you don’t need to protect yourself or anyone else.” He rises to his feet and grabs my bags from the bed. “Grab whatever else you need and meet me in the garage. We’re leaving as soon as Hunt and Deck get here to escort us.”
He strides from the room without a backward glance, the slightest slump to his shoulders the only evidence I kicked him where it hurts.
I didn’t want to upset him. That wasn’t my intent. It’s the