Page 140 of Claim

I stay still, trying to catch my breath.

Fuck it. I have to get up and get Galena safe.

“Come on Hades. No, please don’t touch me.” I push the back of his shoulder away so he doesn’t lean on me like he normally does.

The bloody bits hanging from his fur and muzzle are almost enough to make me want to puke.

Another shot makes my ears ring.

Please don’t be him.

Rolling myself onto my side, I manage to get my knees under me and slowly push up.

I love my baby already, but I’m so fucking uncoordinated because of it. And I’m winded just trying to stand.

When I finally get to my feet, I can see the clear picture of the mess that Hades inflicted.

“Damn, dude. I’mreallyglad you’re on my side.”

I have to find Galena so we’re ready to go as soon as Mikhail comes back for me.

An ache spreads through my chest thinking that he might be hurt, but I don’t dare look outside.

If I don’t see him, he’s still okay in my head.

Creeping through the hall, I find the master suite.

More letters? What the fuck? How long did Zoya talk to him?

“Galena?” I poke my head into the second bedroom. “Sweetie, are you in here?” I pull open the closet and look inside, but she isn’t there.

Shit. I bet she’s under the bed.

I’m going to have a hell of a time getting up again if I kneel.

“If you’re down there, you won, baby girl. You can come out now.” All I can do is lift the foot of the comforter and hope she crawls out.

“Is he gone?” Her tremulous voice is muffled under the mattress.

“Yes, but we need to leave, too. We’ll go hide together in the back until Mikhail comes back, okay?” I hate that I might be lying to her.

Guiltily, I need the comfort of her company as badly as I need Hades.

“Okay.” She shuffles herself until I see the tips of her shoes poke out beneath the frame.

When she stands, her bottom lip trembles before I pull her tight to me for a hug.

Bending as low as I can, I brush her curly hair away from her eyes and give her my best smile. “You’re so brave, Galena. I’m so lucky to have you as a friend. Should we go?” I hold out my hand, waiting for her to take it.

She bites her lip and sniffles, then nods. Slipping her tiny fingers into mine, we tiptoe out of the room and move towards the back of the house.

“I think we’ll be safe here, do you want to wait with me and Hades?” I wish I had a weapon, but I haven’t seen any sign of one.

She looks hesitantly at Hades, who still has blood smeared on his chest, then turns against my side, burying her face into my hip.

“It’s okay, sweetie. He’s protecting me.”

“Mommy didn’t like you,” she says into my shirt. “I heard her talking to Daddy about it a lot.”

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