Page 119 of Born in Depravity

I walked to Catalina’s room.

I didn’t even know why I was here, or even if I should be here. Nikolay was off doing whatever the hell he did at this time of night, and Mikhail was probably taking advantage of the fact that Katherine and Petrov were on their way out.

Catalina was in the room alone.

It was late.

She was probably asleep.

I should leave her alone.

After what I had done, I doubted she would want to see me, but fuck if I didn’t want to see her. I craved the simple sight of her.

I walked into the quiet, dark room without another thought.

The bathroom light was on, with the door opened a slit, letting me see just enough.

Catalina was lying in the middle of the bed, her long, thick brown hair falling around in a messy array that I wanted to run my fingers through.

Her eyes fluttered a bit and I wondered if she was having a nightmare.

Her life was a nightmare. From the moment she was born into the Agnello Famiglia up to the point where we took her, I imagined her life had been nothing but a nightmare.

And I didn’t like the thought one bit.

Usually I was good at separating my emotions from anything and everyone. That was one of the reasons why I was so good at my job.

But lately, it felt like I was fighting with myself to keep from feeling human.

And it was all because of this tiny girl lying in bed, deep in sleep and completely oblivious to the torment I was going through.

My fist clenched at my side and for once, it wasn’t in anger, but with the need to reach out and touch her … as gently as I could.

I was not a gentle man.

I should leave. Especially when I was feeling like this.

Fuck.

Just leave.

It would be so fucking easy. Putting one foot in front of the other and heading out the door. I—

I stopped breathing when I felt a small hand grasped my wrist on the arm the cross tattoo lay, burning me. I looked down to see big brown eyes staring up at me. For the first time, I couldn’t tell what she was thinking or feeling.

“You shouldn’t touch me like this, pet. You should kick me out.”

Her head cocked to the side and she tightened her grip on me.

Her face shifted, and I imagined this must be how someone might look when they’re approaching a tiger, unsure if that tiger would attack or not.

The tiger will always attack.

“I’m not in a good mood. I’ll only make you cry again.”

Her eyes moved up in defiance, her lips twisting.

She looked more adorable than ferocious, which I was sure wasn’t what she was going for.

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