Page 109 of Saving Her

“Says who?”

She scoffs. “I get it, okay? You care about her. You’re protective. Even a little obsessive. Believe me, I don’t want to do anything to poke that bear.”

She doesn’t understand. Doesn’t get it.

I’m skating on thin ice here, barely managing my threadbare restraint when it comes to Penny. She’s far more fragile than she was when I rescued her. Back in Greece she’d had fire in her belly. There’d been unending grit and determination, which I’d thought would see her through to a remarkable recovery.

That all changed the minute we stepped onto the private jet and began our return stateside.

The fight vanished. The determination and grit disappeared.

The woman who I was certain would grasp her newfound freedom with both hands turned into a quiet, timid ghost, too frightened to even leave the house.

“Don’t worry, Luca.” Sarah steps closer and claps me lightly on the cheek, taunting the pain in my head. “You know I have experience with trauma. I’m not going to do anything to make her life harder.”

She reaches for the door and opens the barrier wide, the cool air sweeping inside. But she doesn’t step onto the deck. She waits, letting me take the lead.

“Be civilized,” I mutter under my breath as I walk around her, then farther along the length of the house to the place where Penny hides.

She’s seated on one of my wooden chairs, her coffee mug cradled in both hands, a blanket tucked around the legs cuddled up at her side.

She pastes on that fake smile at the sight of me, the bright expression still not reaching her eyes. But when Sarah steps around to stand at my side, Penny stiffens, her face falling lax in a sudden show of apprehension.

“Penny, this is Sarah.” I hike a thumb at the annoyance to my left. “She thought it was time you two finally met.”

Sarah inches forward. “It’s great to meet you. I’ve been coming over for the last few days in the hopes we could talk, but the big protective bear didn’t want me near you until you were ready.” She shrugs. “Today I pulled rank.”

“Hi.” Penny glances between us, apprehension, or maybe confusion, remaining heavy in her tight lips.

“You remember me talking about Sarah, right?” I walk closer to grab the seat beside her and pull it backward a few feet before sitting my ass down. “She’s Hunter’s fiancé.”

A spark of understanding widens her eyes. “Oh. I vaguely remember… I just didn’t realize…” She shakes her head, her brow pinched. “The last days in Greece are a blur.”

“You spoke about me?” Sarah’s voice is filled with unwarranted ego as she leans back against the deck railing. “I’m not sure if I want to know what was said.”

Penny’s cheeks blush. They actually fucking blush. All pink and sweet and shy. I wouldn’t have picked her as a timid woman, but maybe that’s who she really is beneath all the layers of damage.

“Okay, now I’m curious.” Sarah chuckles. “What did he tell you?”

Penny glances from Sarah to me, then back again. “Nothing. They were a few brief words in the middle of madness. I can’t really remember.”

Yes, she can. I can see it in the way her gaze briefly flicks to mine. The unease. The concern.

“I told her the two of you have a lot in common.” I lean back, faking relaxation in the hopes it will let her know there’s nothing to worry about. “And that I thought you both might get along.”

“What’s with the rabid blush then?” Sarah asks.

I shoot her a glare, warning her to stop pushing. “I think that might stem from my off-the-cuff comment about you being the type to slit a throat with a smile on your face.”

Her laughter returns. “Nice intro, Luca. Now her look of trepidation makes sense.”

“No, it’s not trepidation,” Penny blurts. “I’m just…” She shrugs, shrinks into herself, then sighs. “I guess I’m still a little shell-shocked. It’s been a whirlwind.”

“That’s understandable. As long as you know I’m here for you. Nothim.” Sarah whacks me on the chest. “I’ve been coming over with bags of gifts the big guy has demanded I buy for you. The least he could do is introduce us, right?”

Shit.

Sarah knows I’ve been holding back on giving those gifts. Why would she tell her about them? I don’t think I’m even ready to hand them over. Not when some of the items are fucking idiotic.

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