Page 48 of Savage Salvation

“I have a key.”

“Excuse me?” He did not just say that. But he did. “Why do you have a key to this place?”

“I own it. The building,” he winces, his hand grasping his ribs.

“Are you kidding me right now?” I know he’s not, but how and why wouldn’t I know? “Why wouldn’t Johnny say something?”

“Because he signed an NDA.”

“Man, you really are all-in.” Memphis chimes in with a lot more amusement than I’m currently feeling at the revelation.

My fingers come up, gripping the bridge of my nose as my eyes close. I’m gonna choke him myself. “Yeah. All up in my life. My friends. My job. The place I freaking sleep.”

“You wouldn’t have to sleep here if you’d stay at my house.”

“I would if you weren’t such a condescending, controlling asswipe.” My hand slaps at his shoulder, as he lets out another wince. “No. Don’t play the pity card. I don’t feel sorry for you.”

“This is great.” Memphis snickers from behind me. “He never lets anyone talk to him like that.”

“He doesn’t let me do anything. Because it’s not up to him.”

“No, it shouldn’t be. But I can tell you Gage doesn’t put up with anything he doesn’t want to.”

“That’s because he’s an arrogant, pompous ass.”

Memphis nods. “No arguments there.”

“Y’all know my hearing is just fine, right?”

I look to him, wanting to punch him and wrap my arms around him in the same instant. “Yeah. We’re aware.”

Gage zones in on his chuckling friend. “Don’t. She doesn’t need any encouragement, and I can’t have you siding with her. She’s already driving me insane.”

“Um …” I wave my hand up and down his bruised and bloodied self. “This isn’t about sides, dumbass. You’re injured. Severely.”

“I’ve had the same ones before when I’d fight at the Den.”

“Yeah, but not all at the same time,” Memphis chimes in.

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not,” I reply.

“I am.” Gage shifts back on the bed. “I just need a minute.”

“Gage—” I go to speak but he cuts me off yet again.

“I. Am. Okay. But those motherfuckers won’t be when I get done with them.”

Does it ever end? “So that’s the solution? Take turns beating the shit out of each other?”

“No. They won’t have the opportunity after I’m done with them. I shouldn’t have allowed him the chance after what he did to you. But I won’t make that mistake again.”

I’m scared to ask what’s going on in his head because there’s only one way that I think anyone would ever be entirely rid of Ryan, and as much as I hate him and wouldn’t mind a world without him, I don’t want Gage to become that unredeemable creature, the same one I saw in Ryan’s eyes.

“Please. Don’t,” I whisper the words, knowing he heard me when his eyes dart to mine. “Please. For me. I just want this to stop. I just want to get to graduation, get my mom’s letter, and get the hell out of here.”

His teeth clench, his jaw tightens as his eyes look away from me. I don’t care if he doesn’t like my plans.