Page 16

She glares.

Well, look at that.

Woman's got some claws beneath all that fear.

Turned a simple protection gig into complete fucking chaos in under five minutes.

And something tells me this ain't the last of it.

"I'm sorry," she says quietly.

That wipes the grin right off my face.

"For what?"

"Running. I thought you were..."

Her gaze drops to my tattoos.

Yeah.

Got the picture.

"Forget it."

"But..."

"Kierra."

She looks at me.

"You're breathing. That's what matters."

Her expression softens a little.

I get to my feet and hold out a hand.

She eyes it.

Then slips her fingers into mine.

Small hand. Cold as ice.

And fuck if I don't feel that touch all the way up my arm.

I pull her up carefully, mindful of her knee.

She sways.

I catch her around the waist before she can fall.

She goes stiff.

I ease my grip.

"Easy, darlin'. Ain't letting you fall."

She looks up at me.