The wind whipped through Eve's hair as she and Julian huddled together in front of the Crane jet. Specks of dirt splattered across both of their faces. The whirling of the jet assaulted their ears.

Why was she here? What was she doing?

Whatever happened between Julian and his father from here on out—it was none of her concern.

She had her own family to worry about, her own life to piece back together.

Did she really, though? Was there really anything left to salvage?

TC and Whitney hated her. Simone was pulling away, too. True, she had Grace, but Grace was stuck in the middle between her and TC.

Julian was all she had left.

Eve couldn't believe that she was even thinking that.

She still couldn't process the way he had comforted her without expectation after TC had walked out on her. If someone had asked her if Julian were capable of such a thing only a few weeks ago, she would have sworn this man would never exist.

Yet, she couldn't deny that Julian had been there for her before—even if only to lend a nonjudgmental ear. The way he had reacted when she confessed to starting the fire in Orville's apartment—he had barely even blinked.

And here he was right now, thinking only of her and her safety. Begging her to protect herself.

"Eve? Eve? Please go home," Julian pleaded. "You've been in enough danger already."

Eve's eyes snapped back to Julian's. "I can't even bear the thought of going home right now, Julian." Eve burst into tears. "There's nothing left for me there."

Julian glanced back at the jet, where Gwen and Hank were getting settled. Both of their faces were pressed up against the window, their jaws slightly ajar.

Julian turned back to Eve. "Are you sure you want to come with me, though? It looks like Gwen and Hank already suspect there's something going on between us. Do you really need to deal with any more rumors?"

Eve's eyes flew to the plane.

Gwen and Hank backed away from the window.

Taking a deep breath in, Eve turned back to Julian. "Let the people in this town talk all they want. I've already lost everything."

"Everything?" Julian's brow furrowed. "Eve, I don't understand."

"Whitney and Simone have moved in with TC." Eve collapsed into his arms. "They won't even talk to me, Julian."

Julian's hands froze on her back. "Oh, Eve, this is all my fault . . ."

"It's not your fault, Julian," Eve whispered. "None of this is your fault."

Julian rubbed her back. "Still, Eve, I don't think you should come with me. This trip could bring back bad memories for you."

"What are you talking about, Julian?" Eve stepped out of his embrace.

Julian went silent for a moment.

"I don't know how to tell you this, Eve."

Eve hugged her arms to her chest, the wind stinging her face. "Tell me what, Julian?"

Julian bit down on his lip and then took one of her hands into his. "If my father has already discovered what we just learned, my sister could be in for a whole lot of heartache."

"Why, Julian?" Eve asked, a lump rising in her throat. "Sheridan and Luis have already proven that they have what it takes to withstand your father's manipulations."

"That may be so, but it's not just them anymore, Eve." Julian bowed his head. "Sheridan is pregnant."


Gwen furrowed her brow as she and Hank backed away from the window. "What do you think that is all about?" she asked.

Hank shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows? You never know with Julian Crane."

"Yeah, but Dr. Russell—I can't even imagine her having anything to do with him—never mind letting him hold her."

"Well, they did save each other's lives the night of Luis and Sheridan's wedding," Hank mused. "And I've seen things get pretty intense between them. The night that Eve hypnotized Sheridan, Eve and Julian were at each other's throats."

"Still, seeing them like we just did is so strange," Gwen said.

Hank chuckled. "I'm with you on that."

Gwen sighed, sat back in her seat, and rubbed her throbbing temples.

"Are you thinking about your mother?" Hank asked. "Don't she and Julian have something going on?"

"They do—or at least they did," Gwen acknowledged. "But that's not what I'm worried about. My mother just wants Julian because she wants the Crane fortune—it's all just a game to her."

Hank raised his brows and shook his head. "And she had the nerve to attack me? No offense, Gwen, but your mother is a piece of work."

"She certainly is . . ." Gwen's eyes flew to Hank's. "Hank, what if Sheridan loses the baby?"

"Hey, hey, that's not going to happen," Hank reassured her. "We're going to find Sheridan and Luis before it's too late. We're going to get to them before Alistair does."

"We've got to, Hank," Gwen insisted. "Sheridan may put on a brave face, but she's in a very fragile emotional state right now—I don't think she can take any more heartache."

Hank squeezed Gwen's shoulder. "It's going to be okay, Gwen. She's got Luis with her. He's not going to let anything happen to her or their baby."

Gwen buried her head in the crook of Hank's neck. "I hope you're right about that, Hank."