He felt like he was holding on by a string. That string was you. And even when he was pulling himself apart by the seams, you held his scraps together.

Before the incident, his accidental murder of his brother, Cain Coleson had been a stoic and collected man. He'd always been strong for you, protective and possessive but tender and understanding. But ever since the death, he'd become an emotional mess. He'd lost his family, his aspirations, his opportunities. Cain's life had fallen apart in many ways, and he blamed himself. He became helpless.

In front of you and in public, he seemed to remain strong, only breaking a few times. But as he stood in the shower, the streams of hot water hit him, the only thing keeping him from watching his blood spiral down the shower drain was the thought of you in the room beside him.