Maria's Point of View
The weight of Reina's threat still clung to me like a cold shroud as Kairo pulled me closer, his arms tight around my shoulders. I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in my chest, heavy and suffocating. Reina wasn't bluffing—she was capable of anything.
"What are we going to do?" I asked, my voice muffled against his chest. I could feel his heart, strong and steady, but nothing-not even that-could calm the turmoil inside me.
He stepped back, holding my face and his gaze intensely into my eyes. "We're going to protect Floyd, Maria. No matter what it takes. I'm going to beef up the security around him and the house. Reina won't get anywhere near him."
His intent was fierce but far too much of this nagging fear that went ahead of soothed feelings. "
