Chapter 187

VOLUME SIX: DEVANTE

Prologue

Devante

"I'm scared."

The fear in Eden's eyes hits me square in the chest. A fear I've never felt before follows. Usually when I'm out on a call, I'm helping people I don't know. I'm on auto-pilot. There's a repetition to the care I give. The automatic movements that have been ingrained; I can do them in my sleep. In the moment, I'm always able to push through anything distracting me from the periphery, but not this time.

This is different. She's different. I've grown to care for her, and damned if her dark eyes don't kill me.

Reaching down, I cup her cheek in the palm of my hand. "I know. I'm gonna take care of you." She nods, closing her lids tight against the pain. "I went to school for it and shit."

There's a laugh with an almost smile. Barely there, but enough to make me feel better about the situation.

"Thank you, Devante."

"No need to thank me. I'd do almost anything to hear you laugh."