Alyssa

The rumble of engines fades, leaving behind an almost deafening silence. The second everyone else is gone, Niko steps forward and pulls me into his arms. His grip is tight, almost crushing, as though he's afraid I might slip away.

"What the fuck were you thinking, sweet girl?" His voice cracks, low and raw with emotion. His fingers tremble as they comb through my hair. "He would've killed you."

He plants a kiss on my forehead, as if he's trying to anchor himself, ...