Page 49 of Savage Sacrifice
She’s the sister I never had.
The ride or die I never knew existed.
“I’m going to protect you, Minnie. Always. I’m not making any promises,” I insist with a shrug, and she waves her arms out at her sides.
“Well, if you don’t think I’m going to protect you right back, then you’re crazy,” she retorts, making me grin.
“Are we sharing yet, Minnie?”
My breath lodges in my throat at the sound of Tatum’s voice and I peer over Minnie’s shoulder to see him standing two steps back, hands fidgeting at his sides as his eyes rake over me again and again.
Minnie rolls her eyes, taking a step to the side to clear a path between us, and before I can take my next breath, I’m in his arms.
He rocks me back and forth, soothing a part of me I didn’t know was hurting as I absorb his warmth, clinging to him like the lifeline he has become. I have no idea how long I stand in his embrace, soaking him in, but every time I think he’s going to let go, he doubles down, hugging me tighter, and I know I’ve caused him some real pain with what I did.
Taking my life to save Minnie’s was impulsive, and as much as I would do it all over again if it kept her safe, I can also acknowledge the fact that I didn’t consider the fact that it would affect the others this much. His pain is on my hands.
“I’m sorry, Tatum,” I breathe, and he leans back just enough to look into my eyes.
There’s a storm brewing in his gaze, but the softness at the corners eases the tension rising inside of me.
“Don’t be sorry. Let’s just try to not let that happen again, yeah?” His voice is thick and raspy.
I nod, hoping it doesn’t come to something so extreme again, when someone clears their throat. Tatum sighs, knowing our little moment together is being interrupted, but he offers me a soft smile as he taps his finger on his cheek.
I’m up on the balls of my feet in an instant, pressing my lips to my favorite spot on his body, and a shiver runs down my spine.
The moment he takes a step back, I’m engulfed in someone else’s arms, feet lifted off the ground as I’m crushed against a hard chest.
“Amica Mea.”
I sink into my vampire, wrapping my arms around his neck desperately.
“For fuck’s sake, I was going next,” Wylder grunts in the distance, making me chuckle as Blaze scoffs.
“You can wait your fucking turn,” he snaps back, and I shake my head in amusement at them.
I’ve never felt more wanted than in this moment, so much appreciation, love, and comfort among them all.
Blaze runs his nose over my throat, inhaling me as he goes, and I shiver at the contact before he leans back, peering into my eyes with a mixture of emotions. “I’m glad my reckless queen is back where she belongs,” he rasps, and I nod, emotion clogging my throat as he lowers me to the ground and takes a step back.
My gaze lands on Wylder to my right, but I’m swept up from the left, spinning swiftly before I’m planted back on my feet with Asher in front of me.
“Hey!” Wylder grunts, but Asher pays him no mind at all.
The way his gaze rakes over me sends tingles down my spine, raising goosebumps of anticipation in his wake before his eyes seek out mine.
He tucks a tendril of hair behind my ear as he studies me, his hand ghosting through my hair until he reaches the end, which he tugs, stealing my breath as I gape at him. I sway, intoxicated by his attention. “I missed you, Silver,” he mutters, and I nod, emotion swelling inside of me.
“I missed you too,” I admit, and he nods once before pressing his lips to the corner of my mouth and taking a step back.
Wylder comes into view once again, but he doesn’t move right away. Instead, he glances from side to side, making sure no one is going to get in his way. When the coast is clear, he cuts the distance between us in two strides, and I’m pinned against his chest a moment later.
His warm embrace only lasts a moment before he leans back, only to tip his face down to rest his forehead against mine. His eyes are closed, and the warmth radiating from him is everything. “Fuck, Little Witch, you had me scared,” he states, and the fear and horror in his voice cuts deep, but when he opens his eyes, there’s no frustration or despair there, just relief.
I don’t know what to say, but it seems there’s no need because a moment later, he’s showering me with kisses. His lips skim across my forehead, over my cheeks, ghosting my lips before he presses the most delicate kiss to the tip of my nose.
Beaming up at him, I feel content. He brings my hand to his lips, dusting a few kisses over my knuckles before he takes a step back and I spy Bryony off to the side.
