🗝️Detective Ryker Viltarin must uncover dark secrets before he loses not only his heart but also his life.🗝️
You're on your own, far from home
The wind is blowing in the top of the pines
A gloomy sky where the sun never shines
Deep...
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Time seemed to stand still for a moment as the shard sank into Jonathan's side. At the same time, Eve felt the sharp edge press into her hand. A burning pain shot through her fingers—but the thought of her son, distraught and helpless, needing her help at that moment, was stronger.
But the moment of relief was short-lived.
Jonathan roared, staggered back, and grabbed the wound with a wild, uncontrolled movement. What followed, however, was not the weakness she had hoped for, but rage.
"You damn bitch!" he yelled, his voice revealing his madness. "You'll be mine! I'll teach you how to behave!"
Eve heard the hoarse gasps from his throat and knew she had no time to lose. "Run!" she cried breathlessly to her son, her voice weak with trembling desperation.
But Liam was paralysed. He stood there with his eyes wide open, staring back and forth between her and Jonathan. His face was filled with sheer fear and bottomless horror, which broke Eve's heart. Now was not the time for guilt—only survival mattered.
Eve knew that her only chance of getting through this was not to break under the pressure of the situation. She had to be brave now. For Liam—and for herself. That thought gave her new courage.
"Stop fighting, damn it!" Jonathan growled, but Eve would be damned if she would!
"Mommy!" Liam took a step.
Jonathan's head flew around, his gaze meeting his son's, who immediately froze as if he had spotted a mouse facing a snake. "One step, and I swear I'll cut that damn mutt to pieces right in front of you!"
For the first time in her life, Eve benefited from the fact that this wasn't the first time a man had raised his hand to her. She knew the pain; it was nothing new to her. It didn't shock or numb her. Instead, they collided like two forces of nature: her fire was fueled by desperation, his by rage.
"Go to hell!" she hissed, tears in her eyes but fire in her heart.
"You won't get away from me," Jonathan hissed coldly.
He grabbed Eve, knocked her off balance, and pushed her to the ground. Her bleeding and pain-contorted hands clenched into fists as she fought against him. She felt the cold, unpleasant pressure of his hand on her wrist as he pressed her down with brutal force.
