“I do,” she said, voice cracking as fresh tears welled up. “I can’t stay here anymore. I don’t feel safe. I don’t trust anyone. Everything’s falling apart and I—” her voice broke completely.
Drake set down the kit and crossed the room, crouching in front of her. His hands gently cupped hers, steady and warm.
“I don’t know what happened tonight,” he said, his voice low, “but I’m not going to let you face it alone.”
Nancy clutched his arm like a lifeline.
“Then don’t let me go back,” she whispered. “Please. Just take me away from here.”
“You know that’s not possible,” Drake said quietly, eyes lowered.
Nancy's grip on his arm tightened. “Why not?” she asked, her voice cracking. “Tell me why.”
She looked up at him, exhausted, eyes rimmed with tears. She wasn’t sure how much more of this
