“No.” I step forward and cup her face, firm but gentle, tilting her chin until she looks at me.
“Look at me.” My thumb brushes the tear slipping down her cheek. “Breathe, Adriana.”
She tries. It comes out ragged.
I wrap my arms around her and pull her flush to my chest, one hand at the back of her head, the other pressing firmly over the small of her back where she always responds to my touch. “Feel me. Right here. You’re safe, Tesoro. You’re not in a cage. You’re home. With me. Nothing’s happening to you. Or to her. Not if I can fucking help it.”
Her fists curl into my shirt, clinging to me.
“That’s it,” I whisper, rocking her gently. “Just hold on to me. In and out, baby. That’s my girl…”
I press a kiss to her temple, then another to the curve of her jaw. Her scent, those damn cherries I love so much, grounds me right back. Anchors me. Reminds me what I’m fighting for.
“I need you strong, Adriana. Because I swear to you, I’m going to bring her back.”
She nods against my chest, soft and slow. The panic eases enough for her to breathe.
I kiss her again, this time on the mouth, deep and full of everything I can’t say. I rest my forehead against hers when I pull back.
“I’ll end this war,” I vow.
And I’ll burn every last enemy to ash to make that happen.
Because as long as I have my queen by my side—
I’m fucking unstoppable.
