Callie’s POV
My foot slipped. The world tilted violently, my balance giving way in a single, unforgiving second. The slick wooden floor vanished beneath me, and my breath tore from my chest as gravity dragged me down.
No!
I braced instinctively, my arms flailing, my mind already registering the pain before it came. But It didn’t.
A hard arm wrapped around my waist, hauling me back with enough force that I collided into a solid chest. Another hand caught my shoulder, firm and unyielding, stopping my fall completely.
I gasped.
I heard water slosh beneath us as Dominic stumbled half a step, then steadied. His grip tightened, reflexive, and protective, like his body had reacted before his mind could interfere.
For a moment, the world narrowed to the heat of him behind me. My back was pr
