Is it worth it?When you've spent so many years hiding in the shadows, it's disarming when the personification of sunlight is forced upon you.Years spent purposely eclipsed by the darkness without ever wanting to step out from beneath the safety of its cloak; driven by the same goal I've had since I was fifteen years old.Until my twelve years of solidarity came to a screeching halt when a partner was forced upon me. It was everything I didn't want. Exactly what I'd avoided all these years. I already had enough to concern myself with, without needing to babysit some rookie mercenary I'd had the displeasure of being tied to.I didn't need the temptation of the light, nor did I want it. But after all these years, is it worth stepping out from the grey, just for a little peek, or would my one lapse of seclusion be the cause of my downfall?**NB** Collateral contains dark content that may be triggering to some readers, such as human trafficking, graphic violence, discussion of sexual assault (no on-page scenes) knife play and explicit sexual situations. There is also the discussion of suicide, miscarriage and hysterectomy.