lead her from the room. And yes, I know I shouldn’t have touched her, but I thought I was doing the right thing.”
He frowns. “You grabbed her arm?”
“Yeah.”
The frown deepens. “Then Decker hit you?”
I nod, the movement throwing lighter fluid on the smoldering flames of my headache. “He doesn’t like me very much right now.”
“Because you grabbed her arm?”
“That, and other things. Mainly because he’s worried about Penny, and I’m the perfect outlet for his concern.”
He falls quiet again, his gaze fixed on me for long moments. “Why are we really here? In this house?”
It’s my turn to take a mental breather. Kids aren’t my thing. “Why do you think we’re here?” I act like a fucking shrink, buying myself time.
“I know it’s because something is wrong. Stella said she never stays at her uncle’s house unless bad things are happening.”
Great. Two snooping kids. Just what I need.
“That’s something you should ask Cole. I’ve given out my quota of information.”
“No. Please.” His annoyance vanishes, a pity party taking its place. Big blue eyes blink up at me, begging. “Is it about Robert?”
I fight not to flinch at his direct hit. Where the hell is this kid getting information from? He’s a miniature fucking spy master. “Why would you ask about him? What do you know?”
He doesn’t answer—just keeps blinking those puppy-dog eyes.
“Tobias? What the hell do you know?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing. I just heard…”
“You seem to hear a lot.”
He straightens. “Baba taught me how to listen.”
“He taught you how to snoop,” I correct, and he nods. “Tell me what you heard.”
“It’s nothing, I swear. His name has been mentioned a few times. That’s all. I guessed he’s the reason we’re here… I’m right, aren’t I?”
I contemplate my options. This kid could be useful. He could also be a huge pain in the ass if he rats on me. “I don’t know.” The paper copy of the bank surveillance image burns a hole in my pocket. If anyone could confirm the man in the photo is Robert, it’s Toby, but I don’t want to get my brains blown out for involving a minor.
“Yeah, you do,” he snaps. “You know. You just don’t want to tell me.”
“Because you don’t need to worry about things like this. We’re taking care of it.”
“Tell me.” He turns savage. Fisted hands. Red face. A true fucking Torian. “Is Robert here? Has he come back for her?”
I attempt to ignore the icy chill shuddering through me, but it hits hard. The assumption that Robert would be back for Penny… The instinctive response…
“We don’t know.” I retrieve the paper from my pocket and unfold the image for him to see. “Do you know who this is?”
Recognition sparks in his eyes.
“Who is it, Tobias?”
“It’s him.” He stares, transfixed or maybe frightened. “It’s Robert. He grows his beard like that sometimes.” He points to the blurred mouth of the man in the photo. “See the patch of missing hair right below his lip? It’s from a scar. It always made him look stupid.”
I don’t know whether to be relieved or livid at the confirmation that the fucker is here. On one hand, I’ll have the opportunity to kill him like he deserves. On the other, the news will only spike Penny’s fear.
“Thanks. I appreciate the help.” I refold the paper and shove it back into my pocket. “Can you do me a favor and keep this between me and you for now? I don’t want Pen getting upset.”
“She doesn’t know?”
“I don’t think she’s one hundred percent certain, which is allowing her to sleep at night. If she knows for sure—”
“She’ll be scared,” he cuts me off. “He did horrible things to her. He hurt—”
“I know.” I clench my teeth against the knowledge. “And I want to save her from the fear for as long as possible. That’s why I asked.”
He pauses a long while as he swallows. “Will you find him?”
“Yes.” I fucking vow it.
“Will you hurt him?”
This time I’m not as quick to reply. Like Luther, Robert meant something to this boy. He was raised to look up to his father’s right-hand man.
“Luca, will you hurt him?”
“Yes.” I keep my teeth clenched. “I’ll fucking hurt him. Because of what he did to Penny and all the other women. I’ll kill him for what he’s done.”
Heartbeats of silence follow where I question giving him more details. He doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. I bet he’s one breath away from squealing like a pig when he gives a succinct nod.