How much Eve wished Ivan were there with her right now. His presence alone had always been so grounding that she now felt herself losing her grip, struggling to hold herself together.
It felt as though a sword hung directly above her throat. One reckless move, one moment of misjudgement, and it would all be over, with Damien paying the price.
Something she could never allow.
He was the brother she had never had. A friend, a protector, a well-wisher, and family to her. In just a few months, his constant presence and his witty, sarcastic way of handling chaos had managed to lighten even the most dire situations.
She remembered every laugh they had shared. Every moment, he stood beside her like a pillar. Even when she felt on the verge of breaking, Damien had always been there.
Her heart ached the more she thought of him, yet with that pain came something stronger.
Resolve.
A fierce, unshakable determination took hold within her that she would save him.
No matter what.
