Page 44 of Savage Daddies
“I can’t sleep. Not until I know everyone in my family is safe.”
Daddy Gage cups my face. “It pleases me to know you consider us a family already, little girl.”
I blink hard to keep myself from crying, then lift my chin and take several deep breaths, wanting to remain strong. I never thought I needed a family. Not long after Daddies Axel and Nash informed me that I was their little girl and they were going to be my daddies, I remember thinking that the very idea of having a father was outdated and unnecessary. I fought them and planned to escape, even as I found both comfort and pleasure under their guidance.
The gunshots ring louder and Daddy Gage covers my ears and holds me snug against his chest. I lean into him, hoping this nightmare will soon come to an end. Not knowing exactly what’s happening on the surface is killing me. The knot of fear in my stomach twists tighter with each passing second.
Several hours pass. Each one feels like a thousand years. I never imagined time could move so agonizingly slow. The brothers take turns sitting with me while trying to convince me to close my eyes and sleep. As I become drowsier, I’m vaguely aware of Daddy Erik pacing in front of the stairs while holding his rifle, his muscles tensed as he glares at the doorway above.
All at once, I jerk awake and bolt upward. Confused, I stare around the small shelter and look down at myself. I’m tucked under the covers. I hadn’t meant to fall asleep and have no idea how long I’ve been out. Daddies Erik and Gage are walking up the stairs, their rifles at the ready, as someone pounds on the bolted door.
“It’s over! We killed every last outcast from this group, those who entered the village and those who stayed behind in their caves along the river.”
My heart leaps, relief washing through me. I’ve never been so happy to hear Daddy Axel’s voice. I jump out of bed, anxious to see Daddies Axel and Nash with my own eyes to make sure they are unharmed. I start running up the steps, only for Daddy Gage to pause midway and block my path. He gives me a firm look.
“You must remain here for a while longer, little one.” He cups my face as Daddy Erik unbolts the door.
“What?” Frustration rises within me, hot and searing. I can’t possibly remain down here for a second more. I need to go to the surface and see what’s happened for myself. Has anyone died or been grievously wounded?
“I’m going to make sure there’s a clear path between here and the house before we allow you out. I don’t wish for you to see something frightening.”
I try to push past Daddy Gage, but he moves his hands to my shoulders and his visage turns steely. “Get back downstairs, young lady.”
“I need to know if Daddies Axel and Nash are all right. Please.” I peek around Daddy Gage and see him standing with Daddy Axel, but where is Daddy Nash? Coldness grips me and for a long moment, I can’t breathe.
“We’re both alive,” Daddy Axel says. He’s filthy, barely recognizable under a layer of dirt and blood. My heart almost stops. Whose blood is smeared on his arms and shirt? An outcast’s? Or someone from the village?
Daddy Gage walks me down the steps and forces me into a chair at the tiny kitchen table. He places a canteen of water in front of me and nods at the cabinets. “You will stay here until we deem it safe for you on the surface, Josie. There is plenty of food, if you can stomach it, and you should also try to drink some water.” He leans down to kiss my forehead and dashes for the stairs.
My stomach twists into countless knots. I have a very, very bad feeling and I suddenly don’t want him to join his brothers on the surface. But I sigh and lower my head, knowing nothing I say will change his mind. He runs up the steps and the door slams shut, and now I’m alone with nothing but the numerous worries running through my mind.
Though I’m new to the wildlands, I’m not stupid. The battle lasted all night. There are probably casualties, both villagers and outcasts. Though I’m anxious to return to our cabin and for the five of us to be under the same roof again, I know the sight of the wounded or dead would probably shake me to my core. Maybe Daddy Gage is right to make me stay down here for the time being.
I take a few sips of water but the thought of food turns my stomach. After pushing the canteen aside, I get up and start pacing the length of the shelter, unable to sit still. I run my hands through my hair and glance up the stairs each time I reach that end of the bunker. Finally, I decide to test the door. I tell myself I’m not planning to escape and that I’m simply curious about whether or not Daddy Gage locked me in. I don’t know if there’s a lock on the outside, but the need to know grows as I reach the top steps.
The murmur of male voices reaches me, as do heavy footsteps. I try to make out what the men are saying, but their words are too muffled by the thick door of the shelter for me to grasp their meaning, though I’m certain I catch the wordshealerandupstairs. This catches my attention.Upstairswhere? In our cabin?
Unease spreads through me. Daddy Nash wasn’t standing next to Daddy Axel earlier. What if he’s wounded? I recall what Daddy Axel said as he called his youngest brothers up to the surface and he didn’t promise me Daddy Nash wasn’t hurt. He’d only claimed he was alive. I swallow hard and give the door a slight push, followed by a much harder one.
It doesn’t budge.
I’m locked down here.
* * *
By the time the doorswings open, I’m not sure whether I’m more furious or more worried. Daddy Axel appears at the top of the steps, looking much cleaner than the last time I saw him. Dirt is no longer caked on his face and he’s wearing fresh clothes. I hurry up to meet him and notice the sun is at its highest point in the sky.
There’s no one else around, though the backyard garden has been destroyed and the walls of the greenhouse are smashed in several places, revealing that some of the fighting took place in this very spot. I shudder and count myself lucky for having survived, but I hope the men I’ve come to care for most are all safe and unharmed.
“Where’s Daddy Nash?” I ask once he grasps my hand.
He stares down at me, his dark eyes flickering with regret.
“Where is he?” I demand with a glance at the cabin.
“He’s alive, Josie, but he was wounded during the fighting. A healer has been to see him and we’re doing everything we can to help him.”
No no no. Not Daddy Nash.
