Page 70 of Fall into Savagery

There were only four rooms in the penthouse right now, but I was sure I could work something out.

“They could have my room,” Catalina said.

“Baby, I don’t expect you to give up your room.”

She scoffed. “It’s not like I’m sleeping by myself, anyway. And Damien has taken it upon himself to handcuff me to him.”

I laughed. “You sound so disgruntled about that. But I have a feeling you’ll remain handcuffed to him until he’s sure you’re healthy again.”

“I am!”

I shot her a look.

“I just fainted, but I feel fine now.”

“Right,” I said, cupping her cheek. “The boys can sleep in your room, and you’ll stay with one of us from now on. We might risk suffocating you, but—” My jaw clenched. “—I don’t think I’m capable of letting you be alone just yet.”

She looked down once more. I hated it. I didn’t like it when she hid her eyes from my view. Hated when she shut herself off, and I couldn’t tell what she was feeling or thinking.

“I shouldn’t like that. I should be mad at you, at all of you for even suggesting it.”

“But …”

She looked and met my eyes. “But after all we went through, I—”

Her lips trembled.

“Baby?” I asked, coming in closer to her.

“I keep seeing it.”

“Seeing what?” I asked.

“Everything. I see the man punching Damien with the intent of killing him. I see Leo’s eye when he walked into the room with Luca to take me. I see him shooting himself—s-so much blood everywhere. And I keep seeing him.”

“Who?” I asked softly.

“The man I killed.”

She let out a small sob when I pulled her into me by the back of her neck. She buried her face in my chest, her tears seeping out and soaking my shirt.

The elevator doors opened then, and I carried her up into my arms.

She buried her face in my neck but didn’t say anything.

We got into the empty apartment, and I brought her to the bedroom I had been sleeping in when I stayed with the boys.

I climbed onto the bed and settled her on top of me.

She clung to me, crying softly and fuck—breaking my heart in two.

“Shh,” I said, moving my fingers through her hair. “It’s okay. It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.”

“I don’t even feel guilty about killing that man,” she whispered brokenly. “Given a second chance, the only thing I would change is me killing him faster. I wouldn’t let him hurt Damien any more than he had.”

“I know, baby. I know.”

“Does that make me a monster?”

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