Page 79 of Darkness

EVA

Three Days Later

Everything hurts.

Every inch of me aches in some way, but a gentle caress on my hand sends a soothing sensation through me. My eyes flutter open to take in Nycto. He’s tired like he hasn’t slept in days. The red rings under his eyes make it appear like they’re hurting, or maybe he is. I tighten my hand in his, making his eyes shoot up to mine.

“You’re awake?”

Sunlight streams through the giant window of a clinic, shrouding Nycto in the brightest of light. He might seem tired, but to me, he’s glorious. I’ve never seen him so vibrant before. For some reason, he doesn’t have his sunglasses on. The glare must be killing him.

“You’re not wearing your sunglasses.”

His eyes shift to the window, and he lets out a huff. “Didn’t realize it was daylight. Was too worried about you.”

Holy shit.

“We can close the blinds. Will that make you more comfortable?”

He brings his hand up to caress my face. “No. I see you better like this. I watch your chest moving when you breathe, reassure myself you’re okay.”

I try to take in a deep breath, but it hurts, and the movement causes me to wince.

Nycto stands and is by my side in an instant. “What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”

I shift on the bed slightly. “I’m fine, just hurts when I breathe deeply.”

“The bullet grazed your lung. Nerve was able to patch it, which stopped your lung from collapsing. If he and Ivy weren’t there, things could have turned out far, far worse.”

“And Andrés?”

“He’s waiting at the clubhouse for when you’re back and fighting fit. I need for you to see how we punish those who do us wrong at Tampa Defiance. I need you to see me for me.”

I tighten my hand in his. “I see you, Nycto. Nothing you do will scare me away.”

“Yeah, maybe. Once you’ve seen me in action with Andrés, I’ll understand if you want to leave.”

“I want to be there for it.”

He cracks his neck to the side. “Ivy needs to be there too.”

“How is she? Is she okay?”

“Cálmate, chiquita. She’s fine. Not a scratch on her.”

I inhale slowly. “It’s settled then. As soon as I’m healed, we will deal with Andrés… together.”

“You don’t know how sexy that sounds coming from your mouth.”

I giggle as he leans down and plants a tender kiss on my lips. That spark, the adrenaline rush, flows through me like it always does. If I had known back in Cuba what I know now, Nycto might not have been my first choice. But now, he’s the one and only choice I’d ever make.

“I want to clarify…” Nycto says, stroking my hand reassuringly. “I was never going to let Andrés take Ivy.”

“I have to admit, I believed it. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

“You’re a package deal. I knew that from day one. I won’t let anything happen to her or you.”

Warmth floods through me. I’ve known for a long time that Nycto cares for me, but now I finally feel like he cares about my sister, too, and it makes him all the more special in my eyes.

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