I dropped my gaze to where I'd punched him, and a bright red mark had bloomed across his bare skin. "Oh god, Jacek, I'm so sorry. I didn't think I hit you that hard. Did I punch your organs into your spine?"

He nodded. "They bounced," he croaked.

"Shitshitshit. What can I do?

He leaned his forehead against mine as if I were the only thing keeping him upright. "Duck."

"Duck?"

"Duck." He flew his arms out to the sides as if to grab me, his own hands ...