She sobbed hysterically, her fear for me shredding her to pieces. “Nonononono …” she chanted over and over. I clutched her shaking hand and drew her eyes to mine. “It’s okay … princesa,” I wheezed. “I’m okay.” I placed her hand flat against my chest where a Kevlar vest had stopped the bullet. It hurt like a son of a b***h, and I might have a broken rib or two, but I would survive. Her breathing stalled as her hands flitted over the armor plating between us, then she lowered her face to the crook of my neck and sobbed tears of relief. Wincing against the pain, I pulled her into my side and cradled her against me. Having her close helped me relax enough to coax air into my lungs. “You’re safe, princesa. I’ll never let anyone take you from me again.” They were words I meant to live by until m
