As Vaughn carried her out of the chaotic scene, he left Ryle, Alexei, and the remaining bodyguards to clean up the aftermath, the weight of the situation settled heavily on her shoulders. Vaughn's strong arms held her securely.
The drive back to the Volkov estate was cloaked in silence. Vaughn's grip on the steering wheel was firm, his jaw clenched, eyes focused as he drove.
Eliza sat quietly beside him, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, too tangled to unravel just yet. The adrenaline had begun to wear off, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness. She leaned her head against the cool glass of the car window, the gentle hum of the engine lulling her into a state of semi-consciousness.
