Page 52 of One Second After Another

Naz took a second.

And then another.

“You dumped the files?”

Penny glanced Luca’s way, but he watched the dark screen of the television like he couldn’t get the image out of his head of the reporter discussing the thousands of files—she knew it was horrifying. The images and videos of her abuse ranged from simple scenes of grooming to totally debasing acts.

Had he seen some?

It was an unfortunate by-product of her choice. Innocent people would have to be affected—and subjected—to the dark reality in the world. She was sorry for that. Regret was a whole other matter entirely.

“I had someone else dump the files,” Penny told Naz. “Yes.”

Had he wanted a different answer?

Penny didn’t care to ask.

“I’ve essentially plastered Allegra’s history and the things she would rather hide where everyone can see,” Penny said. “I’ve ruined any chance of her soon-to-be husband continuing his political career beyond what he has. I’m sure the consensus among his team is no comment, and I assume Allegra’s side of things will be the same. Let them lick their wounds while they plan a funeral for her father. It gives me some time to get ahead.”

Luca let out a hard breath. “Well ...”

“Yeah,” Naz muttered in reply on the phone.

Penny never said this would be easy.

None of it.

“We miss you, Penny,” Naz said suddenly. “I hope you know that.”

Luca gave her a small smile. She couldn’t help but do the same back when she replied to the man on the phone, “I know, and when this is all over ...”

She stopped herself from saying more.

Naz chuckled, saying, “Yeah, when this is all over.”

Things would be different.

She needed that.

14.

Luca

PENNY dropped a single duffle bag to the couch when the call clicked off with Naz. Luca dipped his chin in the direction of the bag, asking, “Did you get everything you needed?”

“Well, I didn’t bring anything I don’t need.”

Smartass.

He liked it, though.

Penny shrugged and ripped open the zipper on the bag to show him what was inside. Other than the pack for the dismantled sniper rifle she’d been using the night before, she hadn’t been traveling with more. He gave the items at the top of the bag a cursory glance; it wasn’t anything particularly interesting and everything that he expected.

Bands of cash.

Clothes.

Knives.