“Shut up.”
But the damage was already done.
Because now Hersh was looking at me like he realized this had always been worse than I admitted.
Way worse.
I couldn’t breathe around the memories suddenly clawing their way back up.
Blood.
Screaming.
Gunshots echoing in concrete.
A woman begging.
God—
“Hersh…”
He moved instantly.
Crossed the room.
Dropped to one knee in front of me like nothing else mattered.
Not Vaughn.
Not the storm.
Not the cartel.
Me.
Only me.
“Hey,” he said softly.
That one word nearly shattered me.
Because his voice changed completely whenhe spoke to me.
Gentle.
Careful.
Like he already knew I was drowning.
His hands settled lightly on my arms.
Warm.
Steady.
“You don’t gotta say anything right now.”
But Vaughn smiled from the floor again.
