Page 8 of Savior

“No.” He shakes his head as Abi, Nina, and Chloe come to stand in the doorway behind him. “Dad wants to see younow.”

“Toby, I said I’ll be there in a minute. I just need to do something first.” I have to claim a moment to gain my composure. I can’t face a pack of wolves unless I’m in control.

He frowns, his annoyance beyond clear. “But Penny—”

“I need to put on my shoes. Is that okay?”

His stern expression remains in place, yet those innocent eyes lose their anger. He’s torn. Nothing is more important than pleasing his father, but he hates upsetting me, too.

“Hurry.” He turns on his heel to walk between Abi and Nina. “Don’t take too long.”

“I won’t.”

My sisters look at me, their expressions questioning.

“Play it safe,” I whisper. “Nod and agree with everything they say. Don’t retaliate to anything. Don’t smile. Don’t talk unless spoken to.”

Abi and Nina nod.

“Did you see him?” Chloe asks. “What does he look like?”

“It doesn’t matter. Be smart and you’ll be okay.”

“Hurry up,” Tobias calls from down the hall.

I sigh. “You heard the little Nazi. Go. Get the introduction over and done with. I’ll be out there soon.”

They follow my instruction, leaving me alone to suck in deep lungfuls of air, the oxygen taking long moments to settle me into some semblance of control.

I tiptoe into the hall, clinging to my shoes as I measure a calm stride past the rooms with an armed guard. I run once I’m out of sight until I reach the other side of the house, closing in on the window closest to the outdoor dining setting.

The male voices are almost decipherable from here, the chitchat easily heard over the soft whir of the mist fan.

I want to know what they’re here for. If their taste in perversion is more sinister than we’re used to I need to prepare myself and everyone else, too.

I inch aside the curtain, chancing another peek.

Luther, Cole, and the man with the harsh stare all sit on the expensive furniture. I can’t clearly see their faces, only the back of Luther’s head and two stony profiles. But the heir to this lawless empire is still unmistakable.

Cole sits with the same confidence as his father—his shoulders strong, the tilt of his chin arrogantly high. The other man is more laid-back, his demeanor now entirely casual as he talks to Luther about the necessity for regular servicing of sex slaves.

His words chill my veins.

I was right. This man is heartless. Soulless.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Chris growls.

I drop the curtain and swing around to face him entering the dining room. “I was checking to see how many guests we have.” I straighten to my full height and pretend I’m not one wrong answer away from punishment. “I assume Luther wants me to organize refreshments.”

He eyes me with predatory intent as his lips kick into a smirk. “You’re right. He does.” He strolls forward, skirting the dining table, not stopping until he’s a foot away. “But that doesn’t mean you weren’t snooping.” He reaches out, slowly gliding a hand around my waist, then farther to grab the flesh of my ass.

I tense, every muscle pulled taut through the degradation.

He won’t hurt me, though. He wouldn’t dare.

As far as he’s concerned, I’m off-limits. Nobody gets to defile Luther’s precious Penny. But that doesn’t mean he can’t play games and get me in trouble.

“What would Luther think if he found out you were spying?” he murmurs. “What do you think he would do to you?”

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