Page 27 of God of War

"Get the fuck out, Nicolas," Naz growls, a ferocious warning full of menace and venom. I shiver at the sound, at the inherent authority in it. This isn't a request, it's a command to obey or suffer for it.

His man knows it, too.

"Everyone, out!" Nicolas shouts. "The príncipe says we're done here."

No one says a word as they retreat, obeying without question or complaint. Within seconds, the club is completely silent. Naz and I are the only ones left. At least, I think we're the only ones left alive.

I lift my head, needing to confirm my suspicions, but Naz stops me. "Don't look,mi alma," he murmurs, regret heavy in his voice. "There's nothing here you need to see."

And I guess that tells me everything I need to know. The men who were laughing only fifteen minutes ago, the ones my father sent to keep me safe, are dead. And the one he sought to protect me from now has his arms around me, comforting me.

Naz runs his hands all across me, his touch gentle. "Are you hurt, little one? Please, tell me you aren't." The pure agony, the fear, in his plea breaks my heart even as it heals some piece of it this day shattered. He meant it when he said he'd destroy this city to keep me safe. But an injury sustained because of something he set in motion? He'd destroy himself for that.

"I'm f-fine," I whisper, awed at just how deeply he cares. I'm the daughter of his enemy, the one who just did God knows what to him. And still, my safety is all he's thinking about, all he wants.

Does he realize that he's in love with me? Does he know that's what's happening to him yet? Why isn't he fighting it, railing and raging against it?

"I'm going to get you out of here," he murmurs, running his lips across my crown. "Keep your head down and don't look."

I should tell him no. That's the safe, sane thing to do. After what just happened—after whatever my father did—there's no escaping the fact that they're at war. If I leave with him now, it'll only fan the flames, incite more violence. But…I don't care anymore.

Naz chose his side. Now, it's my turn.

"I want to go with you," I whisper.

He rises to his feet with me tucked safely in his arms and carries me out of the club…and out of my cage.

He takes me to a safe house deep in his territory. It's a small little fortress, guarded by gates and wire. He sets me on my feet once we're over the threshold, only long enough to bolt the door and arm the alarm system.

As soon as both are done, I'm in his arms again. It's as if he can't stand the way they ache without me between them. He hasn't stopped touching me once since we left the club, hasn't stopped holding me.

He carries me past the living area toward a short hall, his lips against my ear. "I'm going to get you cleaned up."

I nod, more than willing to let him wash the stains of the last hour from my body. Like the rest of the house, the bedroom is small, cozy. Intimate. Dark, tasteful furniture rests on plush rugs. There is no artwork, no personal touches.

This isn't a home. It's simply a hideout, somewhere people stay when they need guns and razor-wire between them and their enemies.

He settles me on the edge of the bed, tipping my head back. His amber eyes bore into mine for a long moment, his fingertips gentle against my cheek.

"I'll be right back."

I bite my lip and then nod bravely, watching as he strides toward the bathroom attached to the bedroom. A few seconds later, I hear the water turn on. The sound is soothing, washing away the memory of gunfire and the grunts of my bodyguards as they fell.

It cuts off after a moment. Naz appears in the doorway with a washcloth in hand, his eyes immediately seeking mine as he strides toward me again.

We don't speak as he runs the warm cloth over my face, cleaning away the evidence of my tears. He's so gentle.

"What did they do to you, Naz?"

"Hijacked one of my shipments." A muscle in his jaw ticks. "Killed two of my men."

My heart trembles, guilt flowing through me in a giant black cloud. "I'm so sorry," I whisper, a fresh wave of tears already spilling over. "I…"

He immediately drops to his knees in front of me, setting the washcloth aside. His hands find my cheeks, capturing my tears. "You have nothing to apologize for,mi cielito."

Nothing to apologize for?

"My father just took your drugs and killed two of your people, Naz."

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