Page 30 of Fall into Savagery

This time, I planned on sneaking away with them.

I needed to see Damien with my own eyes.

Feel the warmth of his skin, listen to the beat of his heart. See him breathing.

See himalive.

I would not be helpless.

I was not.

I turned to Mikhail.

He frowned. “What is it,kotyonok?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but all I felt was nausea building and anxiety pressing down on my chest.

I let out a small, frustrated groan.

Why couldn’t I just talk?

Fuck.

I didn’t even realize I was making small whimpering noises until Mikhail reached over and pulled me close to him, my body wetting his t-shirt.

“It’s okay,” he whispered gently.

I closed my eyes and buried my face in his chest, even if I didn’t deserve it.

I didn’t deserve anything.

All this time I spent being so angry at Nikolay, even though I knew it was nothing more than a coverup of how angry I was at myself.

Just so damn angry.

My life for Damien’s.

I had wanted to scream at him to leave me with Luca, to not get in that stupid car.

It wasn’t worth it.

Iwasn’t worth it.

What did it matter if I lived or died?

But now, here I was, enjoying the luxury of taking a bath in this enormous mansion, on the edge of the California coast, and Damien—

I let out a small sob.

“It’s okay, baby. I got you. I got you,” Mikhail said.

I shook my head.

He didn’t ask me for much.

All he asked was that I be strong until we get Damien back, and I couldn’t even do it.

I was everything Angelo Agnello said I was.

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