Dishonored To Dominance: Marcus Rise

BENEATH THE ARMOR

The explosion had barely died down when Marcus turned his attention to Eva, her chest heaving as she wiped the dirt and sweat from her brow. They were safe, for now, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins was still relentless.

"Eva," Marcus called, his voice softer this time.

She looked at him, her eyes fierce, but something in the way she was breathing—slower, more deliberate—showed that the danger had passed, and relief had finally settled in.

"I’m fine," she muttered, though she couldn’t hide the slight tremor in her voice. "You don’t have to look at me like that."

Marcus chuckled, stepping closer. "Like what?"

"Like you’re waiting for me to collapse. I’m tougher than I look, remember?"

"I know you are," Marcus replied, a smirk tugging at his lips. "But that doesn’t mean I can’t worry."

Eva met his eyes for a beat longer than usual, her gaze softening. "Worry about yourself first."

"I do." He reached out, lightly brushing a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead.