Page 214 of Filthy Royal

“What the fuck am I going to do?” His words emerged as a soft whisper.

“Whatever it takes.” Nikolai’s voice was a rumble.

“And we will too.” Maddox put out his hand. “We’re here with you every step.”

Damien grabbed hold of the kid’s hand as if it were a lifeline. “Whatever it takes,” he repeated.

“Even,” Maxheim said gently, “if that means finding a way to just help you survive it.”

Damien shook his head, but he knew it was true. There was a good chance that was the best there would be.

And it gutted him. But he’d do it—for Scarlett. “How did you guys find me?”

“Scarlett sent us.”

So, not sleeping as he’d thought.

He knocked his head against the wall.

She wasalwaysso strong. Stronger than he could ever be in the ways that mattered most.

A rattling started in his chest and swirled upward, a choking sound that dragged at his throat and would not be denied. Same with the wetness on his cheeks.

Crying. He was fucking crying.

Worse, it felt like he might never stop.

And yet, he’d never regret the reason for it. Never regret her. He would live with this pain a million times over if it meant he got to spend even one more moment with Scarlett in his arms.

Nikolai grasped the back of his neck and brought their foreheads together. “You are not alone in this. You never were.”

“I know.” Damien’s voice cracked.

“We’ll be here for you, so you can be all the things she needs you to be. Strong and so crazy in love that no matter what happens to the flesh, your souls will always be intertwined. Even death can’t take that from you. If you believe it, she will too.”

“Right.” He shoved to standing. “Thank you for…” Damien’s voice shook. He’d been so angry for so long. Such a damned punk. He doubted he’d even told them before. “For fucking everything.”

“Always.” Nikolai spoke for them all, but Maxheim and Maddox nodded, and Damien knew if Alexi were there, he would have too. Same went for Anya.

Was everything better? Hells, no.

His insides were raw, his grief almost unending, his terror making it hard to even push his stiff limbs upward and stay standing. But he fucking did it.

Because he knew his family was with him—weak or strong—and he knew the same went for Scarlett. And suddenly, he didn’t give a shit about how he’d endure this; all he cared about was being with her.

Soaking in every moment he could, painful or joyous, agonizing or beautiful, because it was still time spent with her. And that was the one thing he would fight viciously for; to be with her for every heartbeat they had left together.

He knew, too, exactly what he needed to do next. “I need your help.”

His brothers stood at his side the next instant.

“Follow me.” Damien strode down the hallway, heading off to carry out his plans as fast as possible so he could return to where his heart and soul needed to be.

Always and forever.

39

SCARLETT

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