Page 49 of Cage the Storm
And once I do?—
There’s no turning back.
I quietly slip into the room, finding him exactly where I left him—propped against the pillows, but looking stronger than he did earlier. Yet, he’s still not himself.
He glances up as I enter. “Didn’t expect you back so soon.”
I arch a brow, hiding my smile. “You expecting someone else?”
He smirks, shaking his head. “Never.”
I’m relieved when the mercurial man I married stares back at me.
“About the women,” I say, cutting straight to it. “Some are ready to leave.”
“I knew they’d want their freedom once they were healed. Tell me, did it have anything to do with me being shot?”
“They’re scared. Seeing you that close to death brought back memories they can’t forget. Now this place doesn’t feel safe anymore.”
“If they’re afraid, knowing this is the safest place, they were never meant to stay.” It’s not cruel, just a fact. Nico doesn’t deal with indecision.
“The ones who want to stay are hoping for work. Perhaps you could find something for them to do.”
His fingers tap absently against the blanket. “They’ll have jobs. A real place here. But they need to understand, this isn’t temporary. If they stay, they’re in. Loyalty isn’t negotiable.”
I know there’s no half-in, half-out in this life. You either commit or you die. And I suspect that’s the reason why some of the women want to leave. “Agreed.”
We both know what’s at stake—what staying here truly means.
“I’ll make sure they have jobs, as long as they realize they’re in this for life.”
“I’ll talk to Amara,” I say. “We’ll organize the ones leaving, ensure they have everything they need before they go.”
Nico just watches me, as if gauging whether I feel the burden of this. I do. But I don’t falter.
“And the ones staying?” he finally asks.
“We integrate them. Give them real roles. Make sure they understand exactly what they’re signing up for.”
His lips curve, not quite a smile, but enough to show his approval. “Then let’s get to work.”
I step forward, resting my hand against his shoulder. “You’re still recovering,” I say. “I’ll take care of it.” He doesn’t argue because he’s starting to trust me.
So, I walk away, confident that I can do this.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
NICOLAI
A month later
That’show long it’s been since I almost bled out. Since I woke up to Luna watching over me like she was afraid I was going to die. Since everything changed, I now have six new employees and have secured a new life for the ones who decided to leave. Regardless of what they decided, they’re all under my protection. Now things are somewhat back to normal.
Except for Carlo.
“You’re telling me you still don’t know where he is?” I lean back, struggling for control as frustration takes hold.
“No one’s seen him, no one’s heard from him. It’s like he disappeared.” The disappointment marring Mateo’s voice reveals a frustration rivaling my own.
