They settled onto the sofa together, still holding hands like letting go might break the spell. Maya pulled out a tissue and began wiping at her ruined mascara while Eve tried to compose herself enough to speak coherently.
"Tell me everything," Maya demanded, her voice still rough from crying but gaining strength. "And I mean everything, Eve. Where have you been? What's been happening? Are the Blackwood brothers treating you right? Because I swear to God, if they've hurt you...."
"They haven't hurt me," Eve said quickly, squeezing Maya's hand. "I promise. They've been... they've been good to me. Better than good."
"Then why did you disappear without a word?" Maya asked, hurt bleeding through her voice again. "Four months, Eve. Four months of not knowing if you were alive or dead or...." She broke off, unable to finish.
