I slammed into Valerius’s solid chest with enough force to knock the wind out of a normal man. But Valerius didn't even sway. His massive left arm immediately wrapped around my freezing, trembling body, crushing me against the rough, wet fabric of his tactical armor. He felt like a walking fortress—impenetrable, radiating a terrifying, unnatural heat in the middle of the freezing storm.
I buried my face in his chest, my numb fingers desperately gripping the heavy straps of his vest. I was shaking so violently my teeth rattled, but for the first time since he kidnapped me, I wasn't running away from the monster. I was actively hiding behind him.
"You are safe," Valerius murmured against my wet hair, his deep voice vibrating right through my cheek. It wasn't a comforting reassurance; it wa
