Chapter 165. Why Do I Care?

Hermes POV

They pried the elevator doors open just as her body went limp in my arms.

I didn’t even remember shouting for help again. I didn’t remember the fire team arriving, or the metal groaning as they forced it open. All I remember is the moment her eyes rolled back, her fingers slipping from my shirt, and the way something inside me snapped when I felt her go still.

They rushed in—voices, lights, hands—all of it too loud, fast, and useless.

“Ma’am? Ma’am, can you hear me?”

“No response—get her out first!”

“Sir, move back—”

Move back? I couldn’t.

I didn’t want to.

Someone had to physically pull my hands off her because I was still holding her face, like