KAITLYN

My jaws fall open, and an unsettling feeling envelopes me.

"What are you doing here, Jesse?" I ask, trying so hard to stop myself from going over and hugging him.

He sighs and smiles, the sadness he has been bearing reflecting on his face.

"I came to get you," he declares, and my throat knots.

"Huh?" I gasp.

I am filled with excitement as well as worry. Things will certainly turn out sour if Nikolai steps out and finds Jesse here with me.

"I'm not gonna ...