Page 93 of Born Savage

My heart ached for the people. And for humanity.

“Alright. Let me sweep the house. Where is the heat source from here?”

Vicious leaned over. “Five hundred yards directly ahead. Should we check it out?”

“Maybe. Let’s get settled first.” The next look Rage threw me was a basic challenge. Don’t dare defy him again.

I didn’t. With Wren already traumatized, I had no intention of antagonizing the situation.

Rage was heavily armed, his body covered with dirt and blood, which didn’t seem to bother him in the least. It didn’t bother me either. I took some comfort in knowing he’d do what it took to keep all of us safe.

Even as he stepped out, he took the time to peer at me through the glass. When he did, I felt a different set of emotions that I couldn’t understand, a warmth that transcended the earlier passion. Whatever the reason, the tightness in my chest only grew worse as he walked away.

And when he was out of sight, I realized how much I missed him.

CHAPTER 19

Rage

“I’m grabbing a shower.” I don’t know why I made the proclamation other than letting the group know where I’d be for the next fifteen minutes. Taking a shower was a luxury.

Guilt riddled me for several reasons, most of which I didn’t know why. Perhaps from keeping the drive from Star. Perhaps because I couldn’t fully open up to her.

Blade sat with Wrath, Wizard, and Ghost, the other soldiers taking the first watch.

“There’s an actual graveyard at the far end of the city enclosed in the walls. Remember those? Before we burned bodies in ditches?”

Ghost’s proclamation felt heavy. “Yeah?” I don’t know why I asked.

“Yeah. Makeshift stuff. Likely whoever was left behind wanted to bury the dead instead of torching them. There were a few carcasses of Savages. They weren’t buried.”

“Jesus,” I managed. The people of this community had fought for their way of life, leaving a few behind to hold the fort. How honorable and heroic.

How stupid.

“She’s not a bad cook,” Wizard said before cleaning his plate of food.

“Yeah, she hooked us up, man,” Blade commented before grabbing a glass. There was nothing fancy in the house, but someone had made this a home that only lived in memories. He pulled the rim to his lips, savoring the whiskey he’d found.

Wrath peered at me since I stood where I was. “You didn’t eat much.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“She’s safe. So is the kid. You can stop acting like some big thug prepared to take on the world.”

With a deep exhale, I continued loitering in the room. A discussion needed to be held with Star and in truth, it was one I wasn’t looking forward to. “That’s not what I’m doing.”

Blade was the first to laugh, nudging Wizard as he did. “Bullshit.” When he coughed into his hand while muttering the word, I shook my head.

“Hey, we get it. You’re connected to her, so sayeth the Revelator.” Wrath grinned. “I can see why. Just might want to take it easy with her. She’s used to fighting her own battles and from my perspective, she does a damn good job.”

“I didn’t ask you. Did I?” The guys were barely able to contain their laughter. “Where did she go?”

“Don’t know. The kid was tired. My guess is she went to find a bedroom.” He lifted both brows, studying me.

Thoroughly over their attitudes, I headed out of the kitchen. I didn’t trust myself around her nor did I trust she wouldn’t attempt to do something stupid. Not in the least. I should have taken the sword away from her. When she had it in her possession, she truly believed she could fight any enemy. The damn bird had almost taken her. What the hell had she been thinking?

And the audacity of how she’d acted had just about pushed me beyond my decent boundaries.