“Eva,” my heart pounded loudly in my ears, it was almost deafening. Holding my hand out to Kaden, he took it. I pulled him to me, he buried he’s head in the crook of my neck and cried silently, his tears were soaking into my hair.

I ran my fingers through his hair, soothing him and myself.

I was awake. He was here. I could feel him, smell him, see him and hear him.

The relief was overwhelming.

Many emotions swirled around inside of me, the one I felt the most was love. Pure, passionate, beautiful love.

“Shit baby, you scared me,” his breath tickled my neck. Pulling away from me he held my face in between his hands and kissed my forehead. “Promise me you’ll never do that again.”

“I promise,” I smiled through a teary gaze. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too pretty girl,” he kissed me again. “So much.”

“Eva,” mum sobbed, coming to my side. “My darling girl,” I turned my head to the side, ignoring the throbbing pain in my head. She laid her hand gently on my cheek, caressing my face with her thumb. “It’s good to see you awake baby girl.”

“It’s good to be awake mum,” I admitted. “It’s good to see you,” my eyes welled up with more tears. “How are you holding up? Is Caleb, is h—”

She sniffled looking down at the floor, then back to me. “No Eva, he’s not awake yet. I’m sorry.”

I shook my head. “H-he p-protected me,” I stumbled out. “He saved me mum,” I cried. “He helped me and i-if a-a-an—”

“Shush honey,” she stroked my hair. “You need to keep calm it’s no good for you,” I nodded my head and turned my gaze back on to Kaden’s.

I heard mum tell the boys to give us a minute.

Neither of us said anything until, we heard the door shut behind them.

“Eva. I’m so fucking sorry,” he said grabbing my hands in his. “So fucking sorry.”

“Kaden,” I squeezed his hand. “Please,” I told him. “This, none of this is your fault. Don’t you ever, ever blame yourself ok.”

“Come on Eva,” he looked away briefly. “None of this would’ve never have happened if you weren’t with me. You would have been safe. Not here, not fucking like this, nearly dying on me.”

“Don’t!” I warned him. “Don’t you ever fucking say that to me again Kaden. Do you hear me?” he nodded. “It happened ok. I was taken, but you,” I choked on emotion, “you saved me, I remember. Remember seeing you right before I passed out. I was in your arms, you held me and that kept me alive Kaden,” I bit my lip. “You kept me alive.”

“I love you Eva,” he kissed my lips softy. “I love you so fucking much, your it for me.”

I smiled through tears of happiness. “And your it for me Kaden, you always have been, since the day you told me you liked me in the living room.”

He laughed softly, “you remember that?”

“Of course I do,” I nodded. “I remember every moment we shared.”

“So do I pretty girl. You’re the only reason I came back to London, back home. I was no one, nothing without you and now everything is how it should be. I’m here with you, were I belong, you’re my home Eva.”

Hours had passed by. I had been awake for some of them, then sleeping for most of them. I was still in so much pain. My ribs ached, my head pounded heavily, and my face was so sore, I could barely cry because of the pain being too much in my cheeks. Doctor Roberts told me I seemed to be recovering well. My lung was functioning as it should be, but I still must take medication for the puncture.

The swelling around my brain was barley notable, which was a mega relief. But my face was bruised and scarred. Unfortunately, I had many scars that now marred my skin, I would never look at myself the same way. I wouldn’t hate them however, I would take pride in them, because I had survived some horrific attacks. I refused to be the victim. I fought for my life, I would not let my demons bring me down.

Kaden had wheeled me around to my brother’s room. I cried, silently praying he would fight as much as I did. Seeing him in such a state, made me angry, so fucking angry at our takers, I wished they were alive, so I could kill them again.

I spoke to him though, told him that I was ok, I was doing well, and I really needed him, needed him so badly to wake up so I could thank him for saving me and helping me.

I wished that I’d done more when we were held hostage. I wished I’d fought for my brother, kept them away from him. But I didn’t, I couldn’t because I’m just a weak girl.

Guilt swirled around in my stomach.

I knew I shouldn’t blame myself, but I held myself part responsible because I shouldn’t have egged them on and taunted them with my remarks, we would have maybe come out better than this if I had only kept my mouth shut.

“Stay with me,” I told Kaden.

“Don’t worry,” he chuckled. “I’m not leaving your side, not now, not ever.”

“No, I don’t mean that, although that’s sweet.” I laughed nervously, “lay with me,” I scooted over in the bed as much as I could, pulling away the covers, I patted the bed.

“Eva,” he dragged his hand down his face. “I can’t. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Kaden,” I shook my head. “I’m not a doll I won’t break.”

“Fine,” he caved. He kicked off his trainers and climbed in the bed. He pulled me flush against his body, but made sure he did not hold me in a way that could hurt me. I laid my head on his chest, basking in his warmth, listening to his steady rhythmic heartbeat. Closing my eyes, I inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“I’m sorry for our fight,” I told him. “It was really stupid.”

“Hey,” he kissed my hair. “Let it go ok. Let’s not talk about that, it’s in the past now pretty girl.”

“Yeah,” I breathed. “Your right.”

“I’m always right,” he chuckled.

I snorted, “you’re big headed.”

“Me,” he tutted. “Never.”

I laughed. I tried not to, because it hurt my ribs too much. But I couldn’t help it. “Whatever you say honey,” I patted his chest. “You keep telling yourself that.”

“You’re lucky your injured. Otherwise I’d teach you a lesson,” he growled. “It involves you on your back, with me buried deep inside of you.”

My heart picked up its pace at the thought. I had to clench my thighs together to relief the ache between my legs.

“Could you maybe not say things like that to me Kaden,” I grumbled. “I kinder can’t do shit right now, as you can see.”

He chuckled, “I’m sorry baby,” he kissed my hair again and whispered. “Get some sleep, you need the rest.

“Hmm,” I mumbled. “I’m not really that tired you know,” I said then yawned. My eyes were becoming heavy, to the point where I could barely keep them open. I’d missed him so much, I wanted to spend as much time with Kaden as I could.

His chest vibrated with laughter. Causing my skin to break out into goose bumps and my heart to flutter in my chest. “Pretty girl,” he tilted my chin upwards. “I’ll be here when you wake up, I’m not going nowhere,” his tone serious— “never”

“Ok,” I pressed my lips to his. “I love you Kaden.”

“I love you too Eva,” he kissed my lips again, it was soft and gentle. Butterfly’s swarmed around in my belly, nothing or no one else existed in this world, just me and Kaden. No problems, no troubled nightmares or demons. His kiss made everything fall away. I wanted to stay in this bubble, but soon I would have to face reality again.

Soon sleep came and took me under. I couldn’t help but feel frightened, because the darkness, it choked me, it was suffocating and then, then I would meet the monsters once again. Monsters, I wished to never see.