Page 60 of When the Living Fall

I squeeze Griffin’s hand where he sits beside me, his excitement contagious when everyone talks about plans, sharing ideas and dreams.

Nestled against William’s chest in between his legs, with his arms wrapped around me, I feel Max’s warmth when he leans against my other arm.

Surrounded by my guys in the dark in the middle of nowhere, I feel safe. More than I ever have before.

Griffin’s pride is palpable. I can feel it without even looking at him. He’s finally getting the colony that he’s always wanted.

Someone tells a story about Richard, one of the more ridiculous rumors he used to spread, and laughter erupts around the camp. It’s still odd experiencing this and realizing these people weren’t entirely his little minions, like I had thought. The ways I thought they were making my life miserable, were actually orchestrated by Richard. It’s still going to take some getting used to, but I think I can do it.

When I glance at Griffin, I catch the tightness in his jaw when his face turns to stone. I only found out a little bit ago that he saved Richard. Or, at least, he tried to, but Nathan got to him in the end. Nobody else here seems to be disappointed that Richard and his closest allies are gone, but I’m proud of Griffin for the choice he made. He’s not the monster so many people in the past have tried to make himout to be. He’s fought for his humanity in a world that’s tried so hard to take it from him.

I reach up my free hand to trace the beautiful scar on his face, and he leans into my touch, his eyes closing and his lips parting.

Lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice everyone’s looking at me until Juliet, one of the other parentless teenagers Josh has been staying with, asks, “What about you, Emily? Are you really with all three guys?”

Griffin’s hand squeezes mine, and he answers for me. “Yes, she’s with all three of us—if she’ll still have us.”

“Why wouldn’t she?” Juliet asks, wide-eyed.

“Because we did something stupid. All three of us,” he says, brushing a soft kiss over my knuckles. “We fucked up, and we’re lucky she’s even talking to us. We deserve to spend the rest of our lives begging for her forgiveness, but she’s too kind to let us.”

A playful scoff from someone across the fire calls out, “Why don’t two of you find another woman? There are plenty to get to know here.” The woman gives a flirty bat of her lashes.

Buddy lifts his head from my legs and glares at the woman, as though he senses my unease.

My nails sink into Griffin’s hand that’s still holding mine, and I see the small grin on his face when he recognizes my jealousy. Maybe I’m greedy, but these three are mine and I’ll fight a bitch for them.

Griffin’s gaze locks onto mine, and it feels as though all the oxygen is being sucked out of the surrounding air. What I see in his eyes turns me into a puddle at his feet, even before he speaks. “Because she’s worth it.”

The night airis thick and silent, save for the crickets. Stars spill across the dark sky in a rare, peaceful moment. It’s beautiful. Perfect.

Griffin’s grip is warm when he leads me away from the tent I’m sharing with Zoey, redirecting us quietly toward the one he’s sharing with Max and William.

“What are you doing? This isn’t my tent,” I whisper, looking up at him while he pulls me closer.

He raises my hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles that warms me to my toes. “It is tonight, princess.”

His words send a shiver through me. Then he’s lifting me, carrying me effortlessly inside the tent, laying me down over the layered blankets and sleeping bags like they’re a makeshift bed built only for us.

“They’ll be a little while,” he says, settling in beside me. “They promised to give us some time.”

“Time for what?” I lean into the soft blankets, my heart racing, yet I’m still oddly calm.

Griffin brushes a stray strand of hair back from my face, his fingers lingering, tracing a path that feels like fire beneath his touch. “That’s up to you, princess. I only need a chance to show you how serious and insanely wild I am about you. I meant it when I said you belong with us, with me, in any town you choose.” One corner of his mouth quirks up into a smile. “Even if you want to live in the trees, then I’ll build a treehouse big enough for all of us. If you want the ocean, then I’ll build a boat.”

“You’ll really do all that?” I ask.

He nods, his gaze like fire. “And I’ll keep begging for your forgiveness for as long as I have to because I know how much of an idiot I was, and probably still am.”

Laying on my side, I face him, running my finger along the scar on his face that’s plagued him for so long, but I think it’s the one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. “I’ve already forgiven you, Griffin. With everything going on, I haven’t had a chance to tell you.”

His whole face relaxes beneath my fingertips as though a weight has lifted, and I wish I would have pulled him to the side earlier. “You have?”

“Mhm.” I lean forward, closing the space between us to kiss him. “You took in everyone I care about, and even more. You opened up your home—your life—to my people, people you barely know. People we once thought were cruel.”

He licks his lips. “Well, I know now that it was all of Richard’s doing. These people never hated or blamed you. If anything, they were victims, too.”

“Yet you still tried to help him. The monster you’ve always been told you are isn’t real. You never were one. You’re fierce only when it comes to protecting others. That’s a strength, Griffin. Not a flaw.”

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