Page 103 of Depths of Destruction

"He does pride himself on his ability to hunt those suckers," I confirm.

She snorts.

"It's protein," Naomi offers.

That's my girl.

Thank God I chose Naomi and not Zoe.

"A good rattlesnake can taste like Tilapia," I inform the ladies.

"Feel like I've been eating chicken forever. Let's see what Tinker has for us to make." Zoe opens the fridge.

Naomi and I exchange a glance.

I kiss her on the head. "I'm going to shower."

She smiles and I leave. I get into the bathroom attached to the bedroom and turn on the water. My clothes are almost off when Naomi comes in.

"Hey."

Her eyes are wet. "Can we go look for Emilia?"

I sigh. "I'm sorry, but we can't. They will make it here."

"Can we wait for them, then?"

"No. It's not safe."

"But—"

I put my finger over her lips. "Let me get you to safety. If the time comes and I need to come back to look for them, I will. But right now, it's too dangerous."

"They should have been here by now."

"Malin will keep her safe. It's just taking them a bit longer," I sternly say, wrapping my arms around her.

"What if something happened?"

I tilt her chin up. "Then I will come find them once I get you to safety. You have my word."

Her lip quivers, and a tear escapes her eye.

I kiss her tear. "I have to get this blood off me." I trail her cheek and collarbone with my finger. "I got some on you. Take your clothes off, and I'll clean you up."

Naomi strips down, and we step into the shower together. I move her under the water first to clean her face, then neck and chest, before spinning her and washing her back.

When I'm done, she turns. "Get under the water."

We change positions, and as soon as the water hits my head, washed-out blood drips down my body.

She reaches up and cleans my face then continues down the rest of my body before kissing the tattoo on my chest.

When there is no more blood, and the water is running clear, I wash her hair, then mine and tug her close to me.

"A real shower feels so good. I never thought about it in the past," she murmurs.

"Yep. Makes you appreciate the small things in life, huh?"