Page 57 of Cruel Salvation

“Simon needs out, Bás. He misses his kids, and being here isn’t good for him.”

“May I remind you he killed three people in cold blood.”

Naz tipped her head back defiantly, propping her hands on her hips. “May I remind you he was drugged and his choices were taken away.”

Damon placed his hand on the small of her back, an intimate gesture of support, but also to calm the fire he could feel building in her. Bás noted it and glanced back at Nazareli.

“Lotus, I know you have compassion for him but it’s also about keeping him safe.”

“We can put him in a safe house close by. We can have Watchdog set up a secure comms so he can see his kids, and he offered to be bait for Andrea.”

“You think that’s wise?”

“If we put enough protocols and security in place, then it might be our best bet.”

“I don’t like it. Not with Tim Cooper still out there too.”

“I’m not saying let him roam the streets free, just think about it and see if we can make it work. I can even go to the safehouse with him.”

“No.”

It was out of his mouth before he could stop it, but Bás nodded as Nazareli glared at him like she was about to make a purse out of his ball sack.

“I agree with Damon. I don’t want you there in your condition. At least not alone.”

“Having a baby doesn’t make me disabled.”

“No, but it does make you more vulnerable and I know you’d never forgive yourself if something happened and you could have prevented it.”

“Fine, but will you try? Please. Damon can come with me and maybe someone from Eidolon?”

“I’ll do what I can.”

“Thanks, Dad, you’re the best.”

Bás blew out a frustrated breath and gave him a pained look. “Will you please control her?”

“No way. I love her just the way she is.”

“Sap.”

“Like you can talk. Val has you wrapped around her little finger.”

Bás grinned and it made him look less formidable, but only just. Then he turned on his heel and left them standing there without another word. Most likely going to find Val. Damon knew love. He’d seen it happen with Gideon and Nadia and the other couples around them, and he wondered if they all realised how unusual it was to find the kind of connections they had.

“Let’s go.”

Damon smiled as they walked off.

“Shut it.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

Naz rolled her eyes. “I read your mind.”

He hooked an arm around her and kissed her head. “Baby, if you could read my mind, you’d already be naked and screaming my name.”

“Don’t be cute.”

“Can’t help it.”

Her exaggerated eye roll made him chuckle but the fact she hadn’t flipped out at him was a good sign that maybe they could muddle through this without her running or him fucking up.