Page 8 of Savage Possession (Savage Reign #3)

I don’t move. Not until the silence is absolute, and the scent of burned gunpowder drifts away in the humid air.

Venom holsters his gun, turning to me. He looks Isa up and down—white dress streaked with dirt and blood, skin pale but unbroken, wild hair tumbling like moonlight around her face.

“I thought you were at Storm’s wedding,” I say, clapping Venom on the shoulder.

Venom shrugs, casual as ever. “Yeah, well. They’re official now, but I ducked out early.

Had a feeling you’d need backup.” His eyes flick to Isa again, lingering on her trembling hand, then back to me.

“Crew’s worried about ya, man. I thought I would take a ride through town and head out to the docks. ”

I nod. “Reaper tell you where to find me?”

Venom pulls out a pack of gum and pops in a stick. “Yep. He pulled me aside after the “I Dos” for Storm and his woman. I didn’t get far before I caught this little face-off going down.”

When we go out on assignment, we keep location and details strictly a need-to-know basis for plausible deniability. The downside to that is you can’t get help fast if you need it.

I give another nod. “Appreciate it, brother.”

He clasps my hand and we bump shoulders—a silent promise, old as blood and bone.

“You need an escort back to the compound?”

“Nah.” Isa, who has stayed quiet all this time, is too rattled for company right now and I want to give her all the time she needs before I throw her in the middle of the Savage compound on a Saturday night.

“Copy that.”

Venom disappears as fast as he arrived and then it’s just Isa and I, standing alone in the middle of the street. She still hasn’t let go of my arm. Those delicate fingers dig in like I’m the only thing keeping her tethered to the earth.

She swallows, chin lifting when I turn and wrap my arms around her trembling body. “You know he will return and next time he will bring an army. My father doesn’t like to lose either.”

I give a half shrug. It’s not that she’s wrong, I just don’t want to worry her when nothing else can be done tonight.

“That’s tomorrow’s problem.”

She arches a perfect brow. “If you say so. What happens now?”

Her eyes search my face, looking for something. Maybe she’s looking for proof of hope that everything will turn out okay. Or maybe she’s looking for signs I’ll betray her, too.

I turn, brushing a loose strand of snow-white hair off her cheek. “Now you come home with me.” My voice is softer than I mean it to be. “We’ll get you cleaned up. Then you’re gonna answer a few questions for me, angel.”

She blinks, hurt flickering in those sky-blue eyes. “Questions?”

I shake my head, jaw tight. “I don’t know what to think. You showed up at the bookstore out of the blue one day and then returned with trouble blazing hot on your sweet ass. I need to understand why.”

She presses her lips together, glancing away, voice trembling.

“That’s easy.” She looks over her shoulder and then to either side of the street.

“I came here running from Grudge while he did business with my father. I came back because you make me feel safe. Safer than I’ve ever been.

There’s nothing to uncover or some secret to reveal.

I thought you could keep me alive. And I wasn’t wrong. ”

I huff a rough laugh, running a hand over the scruff on my chin. “Yeah, well. I’m not good at much. But keeping you alive? That, I can do.”

I watch her tip her chin up stubbornly. God, she’s beautiful. She looks so small beside me, so damn breakable, and I want nothing more than to wrap her up in my arms and keep the world from touching her.

The street is empty, moonlight pooling over asphalt, the faint scent of rain clings to the air. It’s a perfect fall night.

“Let’s get off the street,” I say, slinging an arm around Isa’s shoulders, pulling her close.

She fits perfectly at my side, like her body was made to fit next to mine.

I guide her toward the bookstore and lock up on our way out to the back alley.

I check shadows as I load her up in my truck before I slide into the driver’s seat.

I crank the engine and slide her next to me and rest my hand on her thigh.

“Is this what your life is always like? Is there always violence, threats? Do you never feel safe?” Her voice is barely above a whisper as she fumbles with the edges of her dress.

We hit the end of the alley and I point the nose of my truck toward home.

My lips twist into a frown. “Pretty much and it seems yours is too.”

“Touché, Ash. You have me there.”

I grab her hand and press a kiss to the back of her knuckles. “It’s not supposed to be, though. Not for you. And I’m going to make sure that is true from here on out.”

She leans into me, exhaling shakily. “You promise?”

I stop at the last red light before home, turning to face her fully. I brush my thumb over her cheek. “Yeah. I promise. No one touches you again.”

She nods, eyes glistening.

For the first time in a long damn while, I feel like I’ve got something worth protecting and worth living for.

It grips my soul and I’m going to make it permanent.