Page 106 of Sacrifice
Elfe:
Fuck, now I'm crying again. Love you.
Me:
Love you too. Now sleep. We'll dog shop tomorrow.
I set the phone aside, curl closer to Emil.
He mumbles something, arm tightening around me even in sleep.
My protector, even unconscious.
Tomorrow we'll deal with recovery, moving plans, adopt some dogs, and whatever new threat emerges.
But tonight, I'm Emil's old lady, wrapped in his arms, planning our future.
It's not the life I imagined, but it's mine. Ours.
And despite everything—or maybe because of it—I've never been happier.
The cut on the chair catches moonlight through the window, leather gleaming with promise.
Property of Emil. Such simple words for such a complex commitment.
But as I finally drift toward sleep, feeling Emil's heartbeat steady under my palm, I know it's right.
I'm his. He's mine.
And we're going to build something beautiful in our fortress, with our dogs, with our chosen family.
CHAPTER TEN
Emil
I wake to the sight of Saga wearing nothing but my t-shirt and her new cut, standing by the window with morning light painting her skin gold.
The leather sits perfect on her shoulders, my name across her back like it was always meant to be there.
"Enjoying the view?" she asks without turning.
"Always." I stretch carefully, testing my arm. Better. Not good, but better. "Come back to bed."
"Can't. Too excited." She spins to face me, grinning. "It's moving day."
Right. Today we make the loft our home.
All of us—Saga, Elfe, and whatever pack of hellhounds we end up with.
"And dog day," she adds, practically bouncing. "Elfe's been texting me since six AM about those three at the shelter."
"It's barely seven now."
"I know. She's very excited about the dogs." She crawls back into bed, curling against my good side. "How's the arm?"
"Functional." I test the range of motion. Limited but improving. "Good thing the prospects are doing the heavy lifting today."
"Bodul's already at our old place with his truck. Aren, Hakon, and Ulf are meeting him there." She traces patterns on my chest. "They're good kids."
