Page 55 of Fall into Savagery

“Good,” Nikolay said, his voice rough with emotion. “Because I have some news.”

And that was the last thing I heard before I finally gave in and fell into a light, dreamless sleep.

15

CATALINA

I wokeup late in the morning. I knew that much when I could feel the bright sunshine coming through the window.

Surprisingly, I woke up with all of my men still in bed.

I was usually the last one to get up.

But it looked like I was the first one this morning.

Damien was sleeping soundly beside me. I wondered how many nights he went without sleep because of how they kept him. I moved my hand up to touch his face, squinting slightly from the harsh light in the room.

My eyes hurt, and I knew they were swollen from all the crying I had done the night before.

My fingers traced the delicate lines of his features.

His beard had grown even more, yet, I didn’t think it was a bad look on him.

I doubt there would ever be a bad look on Damien.

My fingers found his lips.

Damien twitched, and I quickly pulled away. I looked over him to see Nikolay asleep beside him, one of his hands resting on Damien’s shoulder, almost as if he had been hugging him through the night.

I smiled at the thought.

I turned to my other side, and my eyes clashed with bright blue ones.

I wasn’t the only one awake after all.

“Good morning,kotyonok,” Mikhail said softly.

I turned to him fully, putting my hand on his side. He pulled me closer to him. I looked directly at his chest, taking in the way it moved up and down with every breath he took.

“Morning,” I whispered softly, my throat hurting a bit.

“How’d you sleep?”

I shrugged.

I was still tired, but I slept better last night than the days before, for obvious reasons.

He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and lifted my chin up with his fingers.

He waited until I looked at him. “I’m sorry.”

I frowned. “Why are you sorry?”

“For telling you to be strong.”

I shook my head. “It was your words that kept me from falling apart. I wished I had been stronger for you.”

He made a soft protesting noise in the back of his throat. “Baby, you’re the strongest out of all of us. And so brave.”

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