Eva thrashed around in the bed, gripping the sheets, screaming, no pleading for help. She wanted them to stop, demanded for them to stop.

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her face was a mixture of pain and fear. Sweat slickened her skin, she looked horrific.

My heart was breaking for her. Fuck, it made me sick to my stomach seeing her in so much pain, it made the anger I thought that had dissipated, come back in full force.

“Eva baby,” I whispered in her ear, pulling her into my lap. “You’re safe, I’ve got you.”

“No, no, no,” she cried. “Please,” she choked on a sob. “Don’t hurt him, leave him alone please.”

I rocked her in my arms. Peppering her forehead with kisses. “Please pretty girl,” I soothed. “You’re ok. No one’s going to hurt you now, you’re safe, I’ve got you.”

“Kaden,” she muttered. “Oh god,” she cried, gripping my arms tightly, “I’m sorry.”

“Hey,” I turned her head to face me, I wiped away the stray tears with my thump. “You have nothing to be sorry about Eva do you hear me,” she nodded. “Nothing, this is not on you pretty girl, it’s on them,” anger boiled my blood. “Fuck, I wish they were alive. I would kill them all over again,” I growled.

“I’m fine Kaden,” she didn’t look fine, she looked far from fine.

“No, you’re not,” I told her. “You don’t have to fucking lie to me Eva.”

“Fine,” she shook her head. “I’m not fine. I’m far from fucking fine,” tears welled in her eyes, making me think I shouldn’t have pushed her, god I could be a piece of shit sometimes. “I’m in pain, my head feels like it’s going to explode, every time I close my eyes I see them all over again, I can’t get rid of them Kaden,” she bit her lip. “And Caleb. He hasn’t woken up,” she covered her face with her hands. “What if he never wakes up Kaden?”

“Shush Eva,” I tried to sooth her, when inside I was just as afraid as she was. “Don’t speak like that. He’ll make it.”

“How do you know?” her voice rose.

“Because your brother is a fighter Eva. He’s never been one to lose a battle.”

“I hope so Kaden,” she sniffled. “I really hope so.”

She sat in my arms. Both of us were silent. Our minds were filled with many emotions. I wished I could do something to take away her pain, fucking anything. But I knew there was nothing I could do, other than be there for her and comfort her when she needed me most. I wanted to tell her everything would be ok, but, how could I? Because I had no fucking clue, I didn’t know what was going to happen from this point on. I wished I did, then I could protect her. But I couldn’t, and it made me feel useless, hopeless even.

“Want to talk about it?” I asked. “The nightmare.”

“I’d rather sleep, if that’s ok?” she sounded so vulnerable, it teared me up inside knowing she was scared and frightened.

“Of course, you can,” I told her, “you really don’t have to ask Eva.”

“Yeah. Sorry,” I shook my head. I wished she would stop saying sorry. She had no reason to apologise to me, none whatsoever. I hoped she didn’t think I’d hurt her, or maybe she was afraid of me. fuck, it would kill me, if she was afraid of me. I’d never hurt her, never lay a finger on her. I would only ever touch her if she let me and my touch would always be a loving one. Never an aggressive one. I loved her, I’d always protect her, worship her, spend the rest of my life with her. She deserved everything and more. I’d move heaven and earth for her, just to make her happy. I’d do anything she asked of me.

She was the reason I breathed, she was my life, I had said this many times, and I would say it many more.

I wasn’t afraid to express the way I felt about Eva. Why would I be? I loved her. I mean yeah, sometimes I was no good with words, but fuck I tried. I would shout my love for her from the roof tops if she had asked me.

I would probably fuck up from time to time, I’d piss her off to the point where she would threaten to kill me, and we would argue. But we would always get through it, because our love, was worth everything. It was worth the fight, we’d been through many obstacles already, we could get through some more.

I just hoped she felt like I did, that was what I was afraid of, it was my biggest fear, losing her.

Eva’s breathing became heavy and even, she had fallen asleep. I kissed her hair then closed my eyes, hoping to get a few hours’ sleep.

“Eva what are you doing?” I arched my brow. As I watched her with her ass pointed up in the air, as she hoovered under the bed. I must admit I had a pretty fucking great view, but she had been told to take it easy. “You’ve been out of the hospital a week. Why the fuck are you hoovering?”

She switched off the hoover. Turning around she sat on her knees and wiped the sweat from her forehead “Because Kaden,” she huffed. “I can’t sit around here all day and do nothing. I’m getting bored and I’m fine.”

“Tell that to your mending ribs,” I shook my head. “And how about that puncture you had in your lung,” sighing, I added. “You didn’t just miraculously cure yourself overnight pretty girl. You’re still healing, you need to rest. Doctor’s orders.”

She rolled her eyes, “It’s just hoovering Kaden. I’m not running a fucking marathon.”

“Has anyone ever told you how fucking stubborn you are?”

She smiled big and wide, — “nope,” stalking towards her. I grabbed her by her waist and picked her up, she wrapped her legs around me on instinct.

I kissed her lips, “you’re a pain in my ass.”

She laughed, “I know” grabbing the back of her neck, I pulled her face to mine and crushed my lips against hers. It had been so long since we’ve kissed. Ok, maybe not, but it sure felt that way.

I pushed my tongue inside her mouth, seeking out hers. They danced a familiar dance, our lips fitted together perfectly, they matched each other’s rhythm. I could already feel my dick hardening. I needed to stop, I shouldn’t take this further shit I couldn’t, she needed to heal first.

I pulled away, both of us panted heavily, our chest’s rose and fell fast.

“Why did you stop?” she moaned. “Please don’t stop.”

“I have to,” I rasped. “We shouldn’t be doing this. You’re not strong enough.”

“I don’t care,” she grabbed my hair trying to pull my face towards her. Walking to the bed, I put her down.

She narrowed her eyes, “you suck. Arsewipe.”

I bit back a chuckle, not wanting to upset her anymore, “sorry sweet cheeks.”

“Yeah,” she pouted. “Whatever,” she folded her arms across her chest. “No fucking fair.” shaking her head, she blew out a breath “What time did you want to visit my brother?”

“Whenever you want.”

“Is it ok if we go now” she asked, her features grew sad. “I’d really like to see him.”

“Of course, we can,” I told her. “Get ready and I’ll wait in the kitchen,” she nodded. She turned around, then wiped a tear away discretely.

Deciding it was best to give her some space, I let her be, she didn’t need me codling her, she needed to deal alone.

Caleb still hadn’t woken up, he seemed to be doing better, he was just not healing as fast as we hoped. He has had surgery twice now, because he kept internally bleeding, due to complications. There were times we thought he wouldn’t make it, but that fucker was fighting. Eva was struggling with the fact he hadn’t yet woke up, she needed him, she was suffering. Every night she woke up from a bad night mare, but didn’t ever talk about it, she kept pushing me away and blocking me out. It was killing me. Her mom had told me to give her some time and eventually she would come to me, but I wasn’t known for my patience.

I was glad she had her two best friends, they had been here almost every night. Keeping her mind of things, helping her get through this. Although they tended to take over my Netflix watching tones of girly shit. I tended to disappear out with her brothers, they had been helping me with the club, since I needed it, with Caleb not being around. But the little shits kept on stealing my beers, I swear if they did that again they were banned. Or I was going to personally kick their asses.

“Ready?” Eva asked, wrapping her coat around herself.

I nodded and grabbed my keys of the counter. Then held the apartment door open for her.

The drive to the hospital was filled with silence. The uncomfortable type.

It drove me fucking mad. I wasn’t much of a talker myself, but Eva, she was a talker, always had been, never one to pause for a breather. I’m not use to this Eva. Quiet, broody and in herself.

“What’s up pretty girl?”

“Hmm,” she turned her attention onto me. “What’d you say?”

“I said, what’s up pretty girl?”

“Oh,” she laughed nervously. “Nothing. I’m good, you?”

“We’re not talking about me here” I turned my attention back onto the road. “We’re talking about you. Don’t tell me nothings up Eva because I can sure as hell tell there’s something up.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled. “I guess I just haven’t been getting much sleep lately.”

“Are they getting worse?” I asked. “The nightmares.”

She let out a deep breath and nodded.