Page 45 of Savage Salvation

“Because it’s that easy, right?”

“Nope. But I don’t give up.”

“Yeah. I know.” I shake my head. “Because you always get everything you want.”

“Not everything. But I’m working on it.” He feathers another kiss over my mouth, his hand carefully slipping around the nape of my neck. “Stay here with me, Kinsley Grace.”

He knows he’s getting his way this time, but I have to bargain. Because it is something that I want. “One condition.”

“Any fucking thing you want.”

“I want you to teach me how to fight.”

“My pleasure.” His smiling lips give me a quick peck. “Now, pizza time.”

Stepping back, he moves around the kitchen as I slide onto the stool at the island, and he places a plate in front of me. We each grab a slice and start eating as we continue on with a comfortable conversation. The only thing making me uneasy is how easy it actually is.

34

Gage

My taped-up fist connects with the bag. Hit after hit. I don’t let up.

“Okay,” Memphis calls out, waving his hand around. “Are you gonna tell me why you’re on edge when I saw the unicorn in your kitchen?”

My arm swings around, my fist connecting hard with the bag. “Just because she’s here now doesn’t mean she’ll stay.” She’s been here for days, but it still feels like she’s waiting to take off running at any moment.

“It’s a damn good start.”

“Yeah.”

Memphis says my name as I throw another punch then look his way. “You good?”

“Yep. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Where do I start?” He shakes his head. “Out of everything you’ve ever done, I have to say the flagpole-honey thing tops the list.”

“He deserved it.”

“No argument there,” Memphis holds up his hands. “I still can’t believe what he was gonna do to Kinsley. But are you not worried about … I don’t know, getting arrested? There’s some pretty damning evidence, like a video of the crime.”

“He’d have to explain what made me so furious. He won’t do it. He’ll save himself.” Like the selfish, miserable scum that he is.

“Lucky you,” Kinsley steps in the gym, walking up to us. “He still thinks I’m too fragile and won’t train with me yet.”

Her eye is bruised, but the swelling has receded. Most of her outer wounds on their way to healing over the days since she’s been here. But Nicole’s warning about unseen wounds is what keeps going through my mind.

“Oh, he’s not training me,” Memphis laughs. “I’m the moral support in the corner.”

“More like the annoying parrot on my shoulder.” My statement just brings another laugh from that parrot, but I focus on the unicorn. “Going somewhere?”

I’d picked up some clothes for her days ago, but she’s mainly been lounging in sweats and my T-shirts—a gorgeous sight—but she’s dressed in her own T-shirt and jeans now.

“Yeah. Work.”

“No. Take a few more days. Johnny will understand.”

“Yes. He will. But I’ve skipped out on him enough. And Saturdays are usually the day he takes a break and the day I get in the majority of my hours for the week.”