Page 115 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

Hector shifted subtly, his attention sharpening, and his hand instinctively closer to where a weapon would be if needed. But then the door opened. And everything stopped.

Hector saw him immediately.

Evan.

He stood in the doorway like a man who had been pulled abruptly from a different life, unshaven, with disheveled hair, and wearing simple clothes. There was no immediate sign of injury, no visible restraint, and nothing that suggested captivity or recent violence.

Just shock. Pure, stunned recognition. His gaze swept the group and locked instantly on Colin. For a fraction of a second, Evan did not move. Then he crossed the threshold in a rush that was almost unsteady, like his body had made the decision before his mind caught up.

“Colin!” The name broke.

Colin moved forward at the same time. They collided in an embrace so tight it looked less like a reunion and more like clinging to one another for survival.

Evan’s arms wrapped around him immediately, one hand gripping the back of Colin’s coat as though anchoring him there. His voice came in fragments against Colin’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry…God, I’m so sorry…I thought…I didn’t think they would go after you, I didn’t…”

Colin shook his head quickly, clutching Evan just as tightly. “It’s all right,” he said, his voice thick. “It’s over. I’m here. It’s over.”

Evan trembled slightly, as if the relief itself was too large to contain.

“I tried to keep you safe,” Evan whispered. “I tried to disappear, as I said. I thought if I stayed away…”

“It doesn’t matter now,” Colin said firmly, pulling back just enough to look at him. His eyes were red-rimmed, exhausted, but steady. “You’re here. I’m here. That’s what matters.”

Evan’s hands tightened once more, then slowly loosened, as if he was afraid Colin might vanish if he let go too quickly.

Behind them, Hector remained still. He had seen reunions before, but none had been like this. Never had he seen this level of raw, unguarded relief. There was no pretense or performance.This was simply two people who had been forced apart by consequence rather than choice.

Jane stood slightly to his left now, watching quietly. Hector felt her presence beside him without needing to look. Evan finally drew back, still holding Colin by the shoulders, his eyes scanning him as though verifying every injury, every bruise.

“You’re hurt,” Evan said immediately.

“I’ll be all right,” Colin replied.

Evan shook his head, anger flashing briefly beneath relief. “I shouldn’t have let this happen. I should have…”

Colin interrupted him gently. “You couldn’t have stopped it.”

A silence followed, heavy with worry and unspoken things. Evan’s gaze softened again.

Then, slowly, his attention shifted past Colin to the others. He saw Jane first. Then Hector. His expression changed, confusion first, then caution.

Colin noticed immediately. “Evan,” he said quickly, “you know my sister, Jane.”

Evan blinked. Something like recognition flickered at Jane’s name, though it was more from context than familiarity. Hector did not think they had ever been formally introduced.

Jane stepped forward slightly, composed despite the intensity of the moment. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said quietly.

Evan hesitated, then gave a small, uncertain nod. Then his gaze swept to Hector, his eyes guarded. Hector stepped forward. There were so many things that he wanted to say to his younger brother, but he could not get the words to form. Instead, he just nodded.

“Evan,” he said.

Then Evan nodded once. “Thank you,” Evan said simply. “For bringing him back.”

Hector inclined his head. “We were not the only ones involved.”

Evan’s eyes lingered on him a moment longer, as if trying to place him in a story he had not yet heard fully. Then Colin let out a breath, leaning slightly into Evan again.