Page 25 of Savage

“What are you doing up?” Harper’s voice comes from behind me.

“Couldn’t sleep.”

It’s one thing that Harper and I both have in common—we don’t sleep well. Rayne has nightmares that sometimes cause her to wake up screaming, but for the most part, she settles once she knows we’re with her.

Harper leans over the back of the sofa where I’m seated, and sliding her hands down my bare chest, she rests her chin on my shoulder.

“You know, if you keep leaving us in bed, we’ll think you don’t want us anymore.”

The amusement in her voice makes me smile. They don’t realize the true extent of the feelings I have for them. Mainly because I’m too much of a fucking coward to admit to someone I love them. Or to two someones.

“You know that’s not true.” I hold her hands as they rest on my abs. “I just needed room to breathe. You know how it gets.”

“I do.” She pulls away and comes around the couch so she can settle in beside me. “But we’re always here for you.”

“I know,” I tell her then. “But there are times I prefer to find solace in my own company.”

“No, you like to be on your own when you want to dwell on shit from the past or the future,” Harper challenges me with an arch of her brow. “You can’t sit here in the dark, worrying about shit you can no longer do anything about or playing out events in your head that haven’t even happened yet.”

“I know,” I say with a nod. “But my mind doesn’t settle easily. There are so many scenarios I need to consider. We have the gala coming up, and there will be people there we know.”

“Bane will be there,” Harper agrees. “I don’t know if I’m ready to see him. But I’ll go because this is our job. We’ve chosen to take on the monsters. And I know having you and Rayne there will calm me. Even if I’m losing my shit.”

“You’re stronger than you think,” I tell her. “And we will hold you up if you think you’re going to fall. Always.”

It’s a promise I make her, here and now. One I won’t break, because I know what it’s like to fall without a safety net. I know what it’s like to get lost in the darkness. I surrendered myself to it for so many years, but I don’t want that for either of my girls.

“I know you will.” Harper pushes to her feet. “Don’t stay up too late.” With a sway of her hips, she leaves me to my thoughts.

Even though she doesn’t like me sitting up at night alone, she respects it’s how I deal with the shit that haunts me.

I’ve always liked being on my own, but ever since I found my girls, I no longer feel lonely.

10

DANTE

A masquerade ball is the perfect place for a kill.

Everyone is focused on the masks, trying to discern who’s hiding behind the mysterious, sparkling patterns. No one truly knows who’s here.

As we walk through the crowd of party goers, I can feel their eyes on us. They’re wondering who this man is with two women on his arm. It makes me smile knowing they’re all unaware of the name I was born with. They don’t realize I’m a Savage.

We’re all strangers here, hiding secrets behind our masks. When the truth is finally revealed, they’ll discover I’m their judge, jury, and executioner.

I make my way toward the stage while Harper walks over to the bar. Rayne follows her lead, swaying her hips as she makes a beeline for one of our marks. They’re all here tonight, and we know who’s hiding behind those masks—monsters all polished up to look like kings and queens.

Rayne’s mother should be here, but I don’t know much about her. She’s remained underground for years, and any glimpses of her we’ve found in photos are blurry.

I stop at the table with our fake names on the place settings. This gala is supposed to be a charity event, but what happens in the back rooms would make most sane people end up in the fucking asylum.

“Mr. Xavier.” A man’s deep voice comes from behind me.

I turn to find a pair of deep green eyes watching me intently. It’s one of our marks. My father’s old acquaintance, and the man who tortured Harper.

“Bane,” I say, not giving him the respect of a title.

The bastard needs my blade in his chest. My fingers tingle, itching to cut him. I want to watch as his blood drains from the wounds I’ve inflicted.

---