Evie and Tommy broke the news to Della together. The moment she heard, Della collapsed against Tommy, sobbing apologies into his shoulder. Tommy held her gently, assuring her she had nothing to be sorry for and offering both her and Evie a place to stay. Evie helped her pack a few bags, but after several days at Tommy’s, Della announced she would be going to North Carolina to stay with her brother. Evie was devastated, though she understood when her mother explained she couldn’t face celebrating Christmas. Her brother’s family was halfway through Hanukkah, and Della said she would be grateful simply to be somewhere she didn’t have to pretend to be festive. Evie had reluctantly booked the flights and driven her to the airport herself.
In the meantime, Tommy, Thorn, and Evie all gave their official statements. Thorn was briefly arrested on charges of second-degree kidnapping and unlawful confinement, but Tommy hired him an excellent attorney, and the charges weredropped within two days. Thorn agreed to testify for the prosecution, giving a sworn statement that this had been his first job on U.S. soil. In exchange, he was granted immunity for his previous work overseas.
Tommy used his government contacts to secure Thorn a temporary resident permit and immediately began the process for U.S. citizenship. He also kept his word: he gave Thorn the hundred thousand dollars Oscar had promised him as a signing bonus and officially hired him as his bodyguard. Until the new year, he converted one of his spare rooms for Thorn, bringing in a California king bed so the man could actually stretch out when he slept.
Evie was granted exemptions from her exams after she spoke with her professors and explained everything that had happened. She moved into Tommy’s penthouse soon after, wanting to stay close to him and growing anxious whenever he was out of sight for too long. For the first week, Tommy tried to be patient. He let her sit in his office while he worked, bringing her tea and quietly including her in his daily routine. But when he realized how much she was struggling, he started giving her small assignments to keep her busy.
“Show Thorn around,” he said one morning, handing her a list. “And you’re officially in charge of Christmas. Go wild.”
Despite her initial hesitation, Evie quickly grew to love spending time with Thorn. He was quiet, but when he spoke, his words were blunt and deliberate, often laced with a dry, cutting humor that made her laugh in spite of herself. Beneath his gruffness, though, there was patience and gentleness that made her feel safe.
When she talked about her family, he listened without judgment. His questions were careful, guiding her to understand rather than defend her father’s actions, helping her piecetogether how everything had gone so wrong. It was like talking to someone who could see straight through her but never used it against her.
She also loved how quickly he accepted her touchy, affectionate nature. He looked genuinely pleased every time she hugged him or curled up against his side while they watched a movie, often scooping her up effortlessly to sit in his lap. Despite his immense size - or maybe because of it - he was incredibly gentle with her, his movements careful, his tone always kind.
It didn’t take long for Evie to realize she was developing a crush on him. She kept it to herself, knowing instinctively that he would be uncomfortable if she said anything. Still, she couldn’t help the warmth that spread through her chest whenever he smiled at her, or the quiet comfort she felt when his enormous hand came to rest on her shoulder.
Despite her best efforts, Christmas was quiet and subdued. Tommy spent most of December buried in work, leaving early each morning and coming home long after dark. When Evie protested, he’d smile apologetically and promise to make it up to her, explaining that he was developing something new for Sloane Tech that demanded all his focus.
He did take Christmas Day off. They opened presents together in the morning, Thorn laughing softly when Evie insisted on making everyone wear paper crowns from the crackers she’d ordered online. They cooked dinner as a trio and spent the rest of the day sprawled across the couches, buried under blankets, watching old Christmas movies until Tommy kissed the top of Evie’s head and went to bed early.
Unable to sleep, Evie drifted into the kitchen and began tidying, wiping counters that were already spotless, unloading the dishwasher, straightening the chairs. If she stopped moving,her thoughts caught up with her, so she kept going until the quiet hum of the refrigerator was the only sound left.
“Can I help you with anything,Mališa?”
The deep voice came from the shadows near the doorway. Evie jumped, nearly dropping the dish towel, and turned to see Thorn duck beneath the frame. He moved like a ghost, always silent, always suddenly there.
“Who?” she asked, frowning in confusion, wondering if he’d mistaken her for someone else.
“It meanslittle onein Serbian,” Thorn explained, smiling as he stepped into the kitchen. He glanced around with mild curiosity before settling in the center of the room, looking somehow too large for it.
Evie let out a soft giggle. At five foot four and slightly overweight for her frame, she’d never thought of herself as particularly small, but next to Thorn she felt like a delicate little doll. “I think most people are little next to you,” she teased. “How tall are you, anyway?”
“Six feet ten inches.” Thorn straightened to his full height, and she realized how often he hunched to make himself seem less imposing. “Yes, I am large,” he said matter-of-factly, “but you are little and one.Mališa.”
She tilted her head back to look up at him, laughing. “Wow. You’ve got a whole foot and seven inches on me.Maleesha- is that right?”
“Very good.” He grinned, clearly pleased that she’d pronounced it correctly on the first try. “What can I help you with?”
“It’s much prettier in Serbian.” Evie returned his smile, secretly thrilled by the nickname. “I’m fine, Thorn. I can’t sleep, so I’m just keeping busy.”
He nodded and took a seat at the kitchen table, folding his hands in front of him, his massive frame somehow still and gentle, watching as she finished cleaning the kitchen.
“Thank you for including me in your Christmas,” he said at last. “It was different from what I’m used to, but very enjoyable.”
“Of course. You’re part of the family now.” Evie smiled over her shoulder; glad he’d enjoyed their traditions. “It’s usually a lot more festive,” she added, trying not to dwell on past holidays. This one had been quiet, maybe even lacklustre, but it was peaceful, and that was something. No shouting, no broken plates, no one walking on eggshells.
“Do you have any family in Serbia?” she asked gently. Thorn hadn’t shared much about his past, just small details, and that he liked New York City, particularly finally seeing the places he’d only read about or watched in movies.
He hesitated, his expression thoughtful. “No. Not anymore.”
Evie turned toward him, watching as he seemed to weigh how much to tell her. “My parents and little sister were killed during the war,” he said finally. “The militia came looking for soldiers. My father refused to fight for them so they took me instead.”
Her heart sank. “I’m so sorry, Thorn.” She crossed the room and took his hand. His face was calm, but she could feel the tension in his fingers. “How old were you?”
“Eleven,” he said quietly, “but I looked older. After the war, which I survived by becoming as ruthless as the ones I fought, I was taken in by an uncle. I joined the army when I turned eighteen. He died a few years later.” Thorn gave a small shrug. “He was not a good man. He wanted a workhorse for hisfarm. I wasn’t sorry when he passed.” His voice was even, but his jaw tightened, and his blue eyes turned cold as glass. Evie could tell there was more to the story, but she didn’t press.
“How long were you a child soldier?” she asked softly.
