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As the fight began to clearly turn in the Vinduthi’s favor, I noticed there was one crucial person missing. Laxon.
Just as the thought occurred to me, I saw the Fanaith sneaking up on Jalik.
“Look out!” I screamed.
No sooner had the words left my mouth, than Jalik spun around and met Laxon head-on. He knocked the gun out of the Fanaith’s grip and then tackled him to the ground. There was such fury on Jalik’s face that I couldn’t imagine what possessed Laxon to take him head-on.
They rolled around, Jalik punching the Fanaith every chance he got. Eventually, Laxon got just enough leverage on the Vinduthi to get out of his hold. He sprang up and bolted out the door as quickly as he could.
Jalik looked like he was about to give chase when he suddenly paused and locked eyes with me. His expression immediately changed to one of concern and he rushed over to me.
He reached out as if to touch me and then stopped at the last second. “Are you all right?” he asked quietly.
And that was when the weight of it all came crashing down on me. All my anxiety over having a stalker. My mess of emotions when it came to the man before me. Being kidnapped and held for ransom.
And then the fact that Jalik actually came for me. Not only did he throw the fight but he came for me. He came for me. Jalik saw to it personally instead of sending Koda or someone else.
Relief, exhaustion, and hope all surged within me, and I burst into tears. I felt Jalik untying me as quickly as he could. “What is it? Where are you hurt? I’ll get a doctor, just hang on. I promise I’ll fix it. I’ll fix everything.”
As soon as my hands were free, I flung them around Jalik and buried my face in his shoulder. I clung to him and breathed in his scent. This was real. I was safe. Jalik had really come for me.
“I’m okay,” I managed to get out between sobs. “I’m just so glad you came.”
Slowly, Jalik put his arms around me and then pulled me close against him. He buried his face in my hair. “Of course, I came. I would never leave you. Not with them.”
And for some reason, that made me cry harder. But Jalik didn’t seem to mind. He just held me close and kept murmuring soothing words into my hair.
Eventually, I ran out of tears and reluctantly sat back. I swiped my eyes and gave him a watery smile. “I’m sorry. I think I need to work on those self-defense moves a little more.”
Jalik blinked in surprise for a moment and then barked out a laugh. He cupped my face in his hands and smiled. “We’ll work on that later. I promise. Not that I’m ever going to let anyone get that close to you again.”
And I knew that he meant it.
Jalik stroked my cheek and gave me a serious look. “Are you sure you’re okay? It’s all right if you’re not.”
I wanted to brush it away. To forget about the whole thing and never talk about it again. But deep down, I knew that would only make things worse.
“Physically, I’m fine. They just kept me tied up. Emotionally…” I grimaced. “I’m probably going to have nightmares for the next few months.”
Jalik’s jaw tightened. “Believe me, I will hunt down anyone who tries to hurt you or poses a threat to you. I’d go to the ends of the universe to make sure you were okay.”
My heart soared at the confession, and I wanted to hug him again. Just then, though, Thelev came in with a grim expression on his face.
“We lost Laxon.”
I tensed. He was still out there. The man who orchestrated this whole thing and had me taken.
Jalik turned my face back to look at him.
“We’ll get him,” he promised. “I meant what I said about keeping you safe, and I have no intention of letting that bastard anywhere near you again.”
And despite everything that happened, somehow I knew that he would. I didn’t care if it was logic or hopeful thinking, I chose to believe it.
“Draven, do you mind finishing up here?” Jalik asked.
The other Vinduthi nodded. “We’ve got the situation handled. Do what you need to.”
Jalik turned his attention back to me and then gathered me up in his arms. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
