by Eden Summers
I glance at the offering, unsure if I can take her hand. We both know she’s not just Stella’s mom.
“Yes, I’m also Cole’s sister and Luther’s eldest daughter.” Her arm falls to her side. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through.”
I cringe and rest my head back against the wall, still unsure how to take apologies when they come from the blood of my tormentor. “You’re also Benji’s wife—am I right?”
She nods. “And Luca’s sister-in-law. I wear many hats.”
I drag my attention to the office door, wishing Luc was here with me. I could do with some of his strengthening stability. “I haven’t met your husband yet. Is he anything like his brother?”
I’m fishing, hoping to catch a trail that leads to confirmation of my suspicions. One clue to wipe away my insanity would be enough.
“He’s a good man. And an even better father.” She leans against the plaster beside me, looming close. “I can’t count how many times he’s put his life on the line for me and my family.”
I wince. This isn’t the information I want.
“I miss him,” she continues. “Even more now that the stakes are rising. But he always has to be in the thick of everything, trying to save the world.”
“He sounds a lot like Luc.” I lower my head, hiding my remorse. She’s making me question myself even more.
“He is. But don’t get me wrong—he has his days.”
“What does that mean?” I shoot her a glance.
“He’s great, but in the end he’s still a man.” She shrugs. “Sometimes he leaves the toilet seat up or doesn’t listen to a word I say. Or he’ll tell Stella she can have ice cream when I’ve already told her she can’t. Nobody is perfect. What’s important is that we’re good together, which says a lot when we’re usually in each other’s pockets, at home and with the family business.”
“The family business… I haven’t been told what that involves exactly.”
She falls quiet, the seconds stretching until she releases a sigh. “It’s complicated. I want you to know it’s nothing like what my father was doing, though, if that’s what you’re asking.”
I feign indifference. “No, it wasn’t. I was only curious. Luca hasn’t said much about his brother. He hasn’t heard from him either. I think he’s worried.”
“Nobody has heard much from Benji lately. Not even me. Apart from being in and out of phone range, he’s needed space.” She crosses the hall to look at me head-on. “He hasn’t told me as much, but I think he holds himself responsible for what happened to you and the other women. He feels guilty for not figuring out what my father was up to. I do, too.”
I wince with renewed remorse. Her husband sounds honorable, despite how relative that term can be in this world. If only I could quit questioning Abi’s death. “I’m sure it’s a heavy burden to bear.”
“Sorry.” She cringes. “I don’t mean to be insensitive if that’s how it came across.”
“Not at all.” I offer a half-hearted smile. “I appreciate you trying to make conversation.”
“I’ve been trying to figure out how to approach you for hours.” She lets out a whisper of a chuckle. “This situation isn’t easy.”
I nod, no longer capable of words. Every kindness she utters makes me question my theory about Abi’s suicide. I don’t want to lose faith in my sister. I refuse. The Torian family are still my enemy.
“Why don’t you come cook with me and the kids?” Layla waves for me to get up. “I’ve been left in charge of making lunch, and it may not be edible if I don’t get an extra set of hands to keep Stella and Tobias under control. I still have no idea when the nanny will show up.”
My heart stutters. Not only at the kind offer, but the carefree image of Toby she inspires. I want to see that side of him again. I yearn to be involved. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Not at all. It will give me an opportunity to get to know you.”
Yes. And it will give me the ability to shed my weakness and dig deeper on her husband.
21
Luca
I’m relegated to a private room at the back of the house with my MacBook, given a burner phone, and told to substantiate Penny’s claims.
It’s my job to prove Robert is alive.
I’m also left to establish whether Abi’s death was murder or suicide, and I don’t know which conclusion is preferred when I can’t get hold of my fucking brother.
Penny has gotten into my head. Those instinctive feelings of hers are wearing me down. She’s making me question everything—Robert’s execution, the protection I’ve provided, and worst of all, Benji.
I haven’t doubted him before.
His sanity, maybe. His loyalty? Never.
I can’t quit scrutinizing Robert’s actions as I scour hours of video surveillance. I fast forward and rewind unending vision from the gas station, trying to get a better view of the man who stole the money. Or his fucking car. I watch different angles of the same timespan over and over, attempting to catch a glimpse of familiarity until my headache builds into a migraine. And still, all I think about is my brother.
Something isn’t right. Benji isn’t usually distant. He keeps me updated to the point of annoyance. Yet today, alone, he’s already left ten of my calls unanswered and hasn’t responded to a single text.
He’s gotta be in trouble. Big trouble. And I’m having a fucking painful time digesting the possibilities.
It isn’t until mid-afternoon that I’m disturbed from the isolated hell of my thoughts by a light rap on the door. But the prospect of company isn’t welcomed. For the first time in weeks, I’m not excited at the possibility of seeing Penny. Not when I don’t have answers.
“Come in.” I remain on the spare bed, my back against the headboard, the Mac on my thighs.
There’s a rattle of cutlery, then the door creeps open.
It’s not Penny who stands on the other side. It’s Tobias, his tiny frame leaning over to lift a wooden tray of food off the floor, his shoulders taut as he marches inside.
“Do you need help, little man?” I slide my Mac to the mattress.
“No. I can do this.” He keeps his gaze firmly affixed to the rattling glass of juice and the plate of sandwiches, his footsteps cautious until he reaches the bed to dump it at my feet. “It’s a late lunch.”
“I can see that.” I smirk. “Thanks. Did you make it yourself?”
“I helped.” He steps back, crossing his kiddie arms over his tiny chest. “Layla did most of it.”
“Well, thank her for me, okay?”
He keeps his gaze downcast. “Yeah… okay.”
This isn’t the running, giggling kid from this morning. The boy standing in front of me is defensive, with his shoulders pulled back and his brows pinched.
“Is everything all right, Toby?”
His gaze snaps to mine, his eyes set in an exaggerated glare. “Everything’s fine.”
“You sure? You seem agitated.”
He huffs. “I’m just fine.”
I raise my brows and incline my head. “Okay. How about the others? Are they all fine, too?”
His lip curls.
This kid, who’s apparently fine, looks like a fight dog about to attack.
“They’re fine, too,” he grates.
Yeah. Right.
“How ’bout you?” He glares at the swollen side of my face, despising my injury. “Are you fine?”
“I got sucker punched.”
He puffs out his chest, as if pleased. “I know.”
“Decker and I got into a bit of an argument.”
“I know that, too.”
“You saw?”
“No, I heard. Decker punched you because you were hurting Penny.”
I push from the bed and the kid scampers backward, his arms falling to his sides, his aggressive expression transforming to fear.
I raise my hands in peace. “Calm down, little guy. I would never hurt you. Or her.”
“You already did. That’s why Decker hit you.” He stands taller, his face filled with defiance as fear enters his eyes. “You’re just like my father.”
“No. I’m not. I’m nothing like that piece of shit.”
“You lie,” he snarls. “You brought her somewhere she doesn’t want to be to make her do things she doesn’t want to do. Just like him.”
I jerk back, blindsided. Is that what he thinks happened? Is that his justification for us being here? “That’s not what this is, Toby. This isn’t like Greece.”
“It’s exactly like Greece. She’s scared and you hurt her. She doesn’t want to be here and you’re forcing her.”
“It’s not like that.” I keep my hands raised. “I’m trying to protect her. She’s here so we can keep her safe.”
“Safe from what? I thought we were here for family time.”
Fuck. He’s got me there.
“Luca?” He tilts his chin as if victorious. “They told me we were here so I could get to know everyone.” His words drip with saccharin sarcasm.
He knows.
He probably always knew.
I shouldn’t have expected anything less from the son of a sex trafficker.
I sit back on the bed and exhale a heavy breath. “What do you want to know, little man?”
He stares at me, his head still high. He takes his time, giving himself long moments to ponder whatever is going on in that brain of his before he asks, “Why did you hurt her?”
I guess I should be thankful that through all this—after the death of his father and being dragged from his home—his top priority is Penny.
“She was getting in trouble with Torian. I needed to get her out of his office before he snapped.”
“Cole wouldn’t hurt her.”
“You’re right; he wouldn’t,” I lie. “But he was angry, and sometimes when people are angry they say mean things they can’t take back. All I wanted to do was get her out of there. So I grabbed her arm to 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.
“I won’t tell… if you don’t tell on me.”
I frown. “What would I tell on you for?”
His attention turns to the tray of food. “I don’t think lunch is very nice today.”
I follow his gaze, narrowing my attention to the tiny pieces of fluff and hair sticking out from the side of one of the sandwiches.
He backtracks. “Maybe you shouldn’t eat it.” He shrugs and continues his retreat to the door. “And I don’t think the orange juice is any good either.”
I hold in a laugh and lean forward, looking into the glass to find tiny white bubbles in the sea of orange.
The little shit corrupted my lunch and spat in my OJ. “I guess I’ll hold out for dinner.”
He nods and turns for the door.
“Hold up, Toby. I’m not finished with you yet.”
He freezes, like a criminal caught in the act.
“Penny mentioned you recognized Benji’s voice.” I lean back against the bedhead. Calm. Casual. “Have you been able to remember any conversations you might have overheard?”
He glances over his shoulder at me, fear clear in his eyes. “She told you?”
“She trusts me, and you can, too. I want to make sure you both feel safe here.”
&
nbsp; He swivels slowly, returning to face me. “But he’s your brother.”
“He is.” I incline my head. “Does that worry you?”
“Baba always said a man should never turn his back on family.”
Luther may have said it. Didn’t mean that fucker lived by it. He continuously threw his children under the bus. “I agree with the sentiment, but that doesn’t mean family don’t get punished for doing the wrong thing. If you think Benji is involved in something he shouldn’t be, I need to know, okay? And I need you to tell me first so I can protect everyone. You and Penny most of all.”
His eyes narrow, almost imperceptibly.
Fuck. I pushed too far.
He shakes his head. “I don’t remember anything.”
And I don’t believe him. Not when his discomfort is increasing.
“That’s okay.” I give a half-hearted smile. “I just want you to know I’ll protect you no matter what happens. I’ve got your back.”
He nods, but there’s no belief. He’s entirely untrusting.
“Okay, kiddo. You can go play. If you find Penny can you tell her I’d like to see her?”
“She’s not allowed. Torian said she has to leave you to work in peace.”
“Right.” Now Tobias’ visit makes more sense. “That sounds like something he would say. Can you give her a message for me instead?”
He nods.
“Tell her I miss her, and that I’m working as fast as I can to get back to her.”
It’s sappy as fuck, but it’s for the kid’s benefit. I’ll earn his trust through Penny, no matter the cost.
He smiles, nods again, and dashes for the hall, leaving the door open to allow the mumble of distant chatter to enter the room.
I wait a while, attempting to decipher the garbled conversation as I picture Penny out there, surrounded by people she doubts. Her discomfort encourages me to get back on the phone in search of answers. My paranoia over Benji keeps me working for hours without so much as a snack break.
I reach out to people who know people, who know more people. I try to get my hands on Abi’s preliminary coroner’s report, along with more surveillance images from the businesses surrounding the gas station.
