James and Lucas immediately fell into step....one ahead, one behind.
Protecting her.
From people she'd never met. Threats she didn't understand.
Because her best friend had fallen in love with the Devil.
"This is my life now," Maya muttered.
James glanced back. "Ma'am?"
"Nothing. Just talking to myself."
"Understandable. It's a lot to process."
"You have no idea."
But as they walked back to her apartment, Maya realized something.
She wasn't afraid.
Overwhelmed, yes. Confused, definitely. But not afraid.
Because Eve was happy. Really, truly happy.
And if standing by her best friend meant bodyguards and danger and diving into a world Maya didn't understand...
Well.
That's what friends did.
***
POV: EVE
Eve stood at the penthouse windows that evening, watching the city lights come on as dusk settled.
Behind her, Dimitri worked at his desk...calls, meetings, the endless business of running an empire.
