Page 58 of Cruel Salvation

Chapter18

Lotus had beensurprised when Bás called her an hour later, as she ate breakfast with Duchess and Gideon, to tell her the safe house for Simon was set up and ready to go.

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Lotus?”

Her gaze found Duchess watching her as she spread blackcurrant jam onto a piece of toast. “Honestly, I don’t know, but we’re spinning our wheels here and we can’t keep him locked away forever. It isn’t fair to him.”

Duchess looked at her with compassion, but not pity, and she loved her friend for that. She wasn’t to be pitied; she had a good life. She was glad Damon had stepped out to have a private word with Gideon about something though, and the question had been asked in private.

“For what it’s worth, I agree. I don’t like it but it’s using what we have.”

“Thanks, Duchess.”

Her friend squeezed her hand lightly. “Of course. We’re family and that was long before these handsome billionaire brothers stole our hearts.”

A smile twinged on her lips. “Little thieves are more dangerous than any foe I’ve ever faced.” She was only half joking with her assessment. She knew deep down that, if she lost Damon, it would destroy her in a way she’d never recover from.

“They are but they also offer us the greatest gift in return.”

“What’s that?” she asked as she took a bite of the sweet toast covered in thick butter and jam. She thought she knew but hearing it would make her realise it wasn’t just her being floored by this feeling.

“Their hearts, their absolute love and devotion. Completeness.”

It was the last word that rang so true with her. Damon did make her feel complete as if a part had been lost and now it was found and returned to her.

“Does it scare you?” Lotus voiced the concern that sat at the root of her hesitations.

“Terrifies me every day, but the thought of not being with Gideon terrifies me more.”

“Thanks, Duchess. It’s good not to feel like I’m in this alone. That someone like you shares my fears and it’s not just because I’m broken inside.”

Duchess narrowed her eyes, her brows pinching together in displeasure. “Don’t say that. You’re not broken, you’re a fucking warrior and don’t you forget it. All the best warriors have scars that show they fought and won. Some you just can’t see.”

Duchess’ words played over in her mind as she and Damon travelled to the safehouse location just behind Simon, her eyes sliding to him every few minutes. He caught her watching and grinned, his hand catching hers and pressing a kiss to her palm, which made her belly roll in her chest as waves of love barrelled over her. She’d tell him soon. When they were alone, she’d tell him how much she loved him, how terrified it made her, and how she was willing to risk it all to love him.

When they arrived at the safehouse, it was a small cottage on the outskirts of Hereford. She could see that it had been fortified with state-of-the-art security, but the surveillance systems had been disabled due to a virus in the network that Watchdog was dealing with. Two Fortis agents, she recognised as Zin and Nate, stood guard at the entrance with an air of authority. She had a history with both men because of Rhea Winslow and her past, but it was Zin who eyed her warily. He still hadn’t forgiven her for firing shots at Drew Preedy and putting his now wife, Celeste, in danger. Having Damon, she now understood that anger. She wasn’t sure what she’d do if someone put him in the line of fire like that, but it wouldn’t be good.

As they entered, she gave them a weary smile and thanked them for their help in getting them out of the public eye. “Thank you for helping out. I know I’m not your favourite person.”

She could feel Damon watching her with interest but he didn’t ask.

“We’re all on the same side and a lot of water has passed under the bridge.”

Lotus dipped her chin at Zin’s words, gratitude filling her belly. “Well, thank you anyway.”

She carried on inside the house, her training meaning the first thing she did was clock the exits and weaknesses of the property.

Inside, the house was sparsely furnished but with multiple layers of protection to ensure safety, which she was relieved by. Now they just had to wait.

With them now safely tucked away, Lotus started to focus her efforts on stopping Tim Cooper from continuing his massacre spree. Simon was in the living area using a secure link Watchdog set up to speak with his children. Hearing the giggles and laughter made her smile and think of the life growing inside her.

A warm, heavy hand on the back of her neck made her look up into Damon’s handsome face.

“Can I get you anything?”

“I’m good.”

“Need any help?”