Killian turned in her arms, pulling her against his chest, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other pressed her close. "Because I love you, Annie," he said simply. "Because I understand what you're going through. The grief. The guilt. The desperate need to feel like you have some control when everything's falling apart-and-I know you are scared Annie, I can see it even though you won't admit it.
His voice was so gentle, so full of understanding and patience that it made Annie cry harder.
"And if anything," Killian continued, "I should be apologising to you. I brought you into this life. Into this world of violence and people who want you dead. I made you a target. I-"
"No," Annie interrupted, pulling back to look at him. "You are the only good thing in my life righ
