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Then, with the suddenness of glass shattering, her brother had stormed into the room. She’d witnessed Lach mourn after their mother died, she’d watched him fight until his opponent couldn’t stand, she’d seen every emotion she’d thought existed. Until that day. That day, he’d sobbed for her. For his niece. And for what she’d have to endure forever. She’d been so wrapped up in Lach’s emotional embrace that she’d been oblivious to her father’s men quietly escorting Jace from the hospital.
Four hours later, her dad had finally shown up and delivered the news that Jace wouldn’t return. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he’d said. “I couldn’t let him live after what he’d taken from this world... from this family.”
She hadn’t known or understood at the time that she needed to mourn Jace. That day, all she knew was that losing her boyfriend made her even more alone.
More reliant onhim.
The all-powerful Sinners Cartel leader.
“I hate him,” she said, her voice raspy.
Toth’s fingers caressed her arms. “I promise you, Sav. I’ll find the sonofabitch and—”
“No.” She shook her head violently, courage building from the base of her spine and drawing back her shoulders. “I hate my dad.”
Toth’s eyebrows met over his nose, and his lips firmed. “You have every right.”
“I’ve never said that before,” she said with a chuckle. “Isn’t that weird? You’d think throughout my childhood or teenage years I’d have uttered those words, but nope.” She shrugged. “I guess I’m more afraid of him than I thought.”
“You don’t need to be afraid of him anymore.”
Tears filled her eyes, and she shoved a hand through her tangled, still-damp strands. “It’s wild. I mean, god. I’ve never even acknowledged how much he scares me. Maybe because I wanted to believe his lies.” The tears overflowed her eyelids and rolled down her cheeks. “I don’t know if he’s ever once told me the truth.”
Toth pulled her to his chest. “We’ll find the answers, okay?”
She didn’t nod. She couldn’t. Instead, she let herself sink into Toth’s hold and inhaled his basil-and-pepper aroma. The bare skin of his chest scalded her cheek, warming her to her core.
“Thank you,” she whispered. Tipping back her head, she stared into the eyes that had become familiar, trustworthy, and devoted in such a short time. But interpreting Toth’s actions as anything more than a kindness or a job he took super seriously would be reckless.
Even though he’d slept with her. Even though he’d kissed her as though he wanted to own her. Even though the solidity of his arms made her feel safer than she’d ever felt in her life...
He wasn’t hers.
He guided her back a few inches. “I need you to tell me everything you remember about Brett Schlueter.”
***
Half an hourlater, Savannah had some color back in her cheeks and the lines of fear that had creased the skin around her eyes were gone.
He’d sat on the bed, elbows on his knees and fingers laced, while she paced and fed him every detail she could remember about her ex’s friend. As Toth listened, he tried to put himself in Danny Carrington’s shoes and imagine why the man would condone Savannah’s being with a douchebag like Jace. He came up empty-handed. Nor did Savannah’s recount offer any clues.
Savannah stopped at the window and wrapped her arms around her waist. The news of Brett had rattled her.
He got to his feet and ran a hand down her back. “You okay?” He stared at the feminine arches of her cheekbones and the gentle slope of her nose.
Her lips twitched. “Yeah.” She lowered her lashes then turned from the window to meet his gaze. “It always kind of bothered me that my father killed Jace. He didn’t give me a say in the matter, and I never got the chance to let Jace know how much he hurt me. How much I hated him. So much was stolen from me that day.”
Toth’s throat constricted, and he couldn’t stop his face from contorting.
Savannah continued. “Brett’s resurgence is like... I don’t know. A message from Jace. Does that make sense? It makes me uncomfortable. I won’t be able to look at Brett without seeing Jace in my mind.” She lifted a trembling shoulder. “But maybe confronting Brett will free the demons that chain me.”
Jesus. He grabbed her arms. “I can’t let you near him.”
Her eyes were large. Searching. If she disagreed, she didn’t say so.
He couldn’t explain the feeling of possessiveness overtaking him. Couldn’t put into words how viciously angry Danny and Brett made him. “The guys should be here any minute.” He’d texted Cole, Lach and Rami the name of their hotel and their room number an hour ago. As much as he wanted to keep Savannah hidden and outside lines of communication limited, they also needed to get this shitshow over with.
“Does Lach know about Brett?” she asked.
