"I'm scared he'll hurt Devin," I whisper.
"He won't," Chloe says with absolute certainty."These men...they're dangerous when they need to be.Tank can handle himself."
"But what if?—"
"No what ifs," Ailbhe says gently."That's how you drive yourself mad.Just focus on right now.You're safe.You're with us.That's enough."
I nod.Try to believe it.
They stay with me and talk about normal things.Their men.Their lives.Making me laugh despite everything.
And slowly, very slowly, I start to relax.
Then Devin's phone rings again.He's across the room talking to some brothers.I see him answer.See his expression change.
He looks at me.Something passes across his face.
He crosses to us."I have to go."
Everything in me goes cold."What?No."
"Rush and Pyro need me.They've got a location."
"No.No, you can't."I stand, grab his cut."Please don't go.Please.What if he hurts you?What if?—"
"Enya."He holds my face between his hands."I'm coming back.I promise."
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do."He presses his forehead to mine."I'm coming back.To you.I promise."
"Devin..."
He kisses my forehead.Soft.Lingering.Then pulls away.
And walks out.
The door closes behind him, and everything inside me shatters.
I can't breathe.Can't think.I just stand there shaking, vision blurring, chest so tight I might die.
What if he doesn't come back?
What if Declan kills him?
What if this is my fault?
My legs give out.I collapse onto the couch, gasping for air that won't come, hands shaking so violently I can't control them.
"Enya."Chloe's voice.Calm.Steady.She's kneeling in front of me, holding my hands."Look at me.Eyes on me."
I try.Can't focus.Everything's spinning.
"Breathe with me," she says."In for four.Hold for four.Out for four.Can you do that?"
I try.Fail.Gasp instead.
Ailbhe's behind me on the couch, arms around me, rubbing my back."You're alright, love.You're safe.Just breathe."
