Page 38 of Cage the Storm
Luna sits calmly beside me until she realizes I’m staring right at her. “You’re awake,” she murmurs.
My throat feels raw when I try to speak. “How long?”
“A few hours,” she replies. “The medical team said you’ll be fine but need to rest.” I let my head sink back into the pillow. Powerless, yet alive.
I hate the weakness pressing down on me, hate relying on others to piece me back together like I’m broken. I spent years making sure nothing could touch me, that the world couldn’t get in. But tonight, it did.
The pain’s dull now, laced with exhaustion. It reminds me I’m not invincible. But the worst part is the dependency. I have to lie here and let them take care of me. I hate every minute.
Luna’s still by my side, keeping watch. And for now, it makes it a little more tolerable.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
LUNA
I’m fine.That’s what I tell myself, over and over again.
But I’m not fine.
Nico was shot. He could have died. And no matter how much I try to rationalize it and keep my emotions locked down, it doesn’t change the way the floor feels uneven beneath me.
He’s resting now, the medical team satisfied that he’ll make it through, but I can’t shake the image of him bleeding out in that cellar, fighting to stay alive. I’ve always thought of him as invincible. And now, for the first time, I realize he’s only human.
I should leave, should step away, and give myself space. But my feet won’t move.
Because no matter how much I tell myself I shouldn’t care or feel like this, I do.
And that terrifies me because falling for Nico was not part of the plan.
For a moment, I consider bringing him upstairs, where I can watch over him. The idea is ridiculous, and I finally convince myself he’s right where he needs to be.
Mateo pulls me aside the moment I step out of the infirmary. “We need to increase security,” he says. “If Carlo knows Nico’s been hit, he won’t stop there.”
“I’ve already got extra men stationed, but you’re right. It’s not enough.” I say, trying to ignore the burden of responsibility I now face.
Mateo studies me for a beat, then says, “I want eyes on every entrance. The estate, the cellar, and even the side streets leading up to the gate. No one gets close without us knowing.”
“If you think he’ll come here knowing Nico’s vulnerable, then yes.”
Mateo’s expression darkens. “I’ll take care of it.”
I don’t relax, not entirely. But as he steps away, barking orders into his phone, I let out a slow breath.
Nico might be resting, but the war never ends.
I walk back inside, and Mateo follows soon after, like he doesn’t want Nico out of his sight. Nico’s stable, but that doesn’t mean he’s out of the woods. I glance at Mateo, who watches everything like a hawk.
“I want a cot in here,” I state. “I’m staying.” He lifts a brow but doesn’t argue. Just walks away to make it happen.
I tell myself it’s the right call. If something happens, if Carlo tries to finish what he started, I need to be here. Close enough to react, to deal with whatever comes next. After Mateo grabs a cot, he sets it down next to Nico.
“I’ll be outside this door if you need me, Luna.” I know Mateo blames himself for Nico being shot, I can see it in his eyes. He shouldn’t, though, because Nico knows the risks, and it wouldn’t have changed the outcome.
“Thank you, Mateo. For everything.” I have a gut feeling Nico’s alive because Mateo did everything to get him here as quickly as possible.
I settle onto the cot, pulling a blanket over my legs. My gaze finds Nico, and his breathing is slow and steady. For once, he looks at peace.
I turn onto my side, listening to the quiet chatter of the women. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but tonight I’ll be right by his side.
