SIMONE'S POV
I had to see him, had to touch him, had to confirm with my own hands that he was real and breathing and safe.
"How touching," I heard Irene murmur behind me, but I didn't care about her mockery.
I ran down the marble staircase, my feet barely touching the steps, and burst through the front door just as Nicholas was climbing the stairs to the entrance.
Carlos was beside him, supporting his elbow with obvious concern, but I only had eyes for Nicholas.
He looked up at the sound of the door, and our eyes met across the distance. Those golden orbs were tired, shadowed with whatever horrors he had witnessed, but they were alive and focused on me.
"Simone," he said, my name a rough rasp from his throat.
I wanted to run to him, to throw myself into his arms, but
