Working together wasn't supposed to feel like this.
Late nights turned into conversations.
Arguments turned into laughter.
Distance turned into something… dangerous.
Something she couldn't understand
One evening, as they stood on the balcony overlooking the city, Ava spoke softly.
"Why are you helping me?"
Dominic didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked at her.
Really looked at her.
"You don't give up," he said finally.
"That's your reason?"
"No."
"Then what is it?"
He stepped closer.
And for the first time—
Dominic Hale didn't have control.
"It's you."
Ava's breath caught.
The city below them faded into silence.
Everything changed in that moment.