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Just as Vlad and I rush towards them, though, he drops Venezia to the ground before making his exit just like he came—at the speed of light.
"Are you alright?" Both Vlad and I ask at the same time, our gazes colliding before I shake my head and a smile pulls at his lips.
Still a little shaken, Venezia slowly nods.
Sisi rushes towards her, dropping her gun to the ground and hugging her sister.
Seeing that they are ok, I turn to where I'd left Noelle, calling out her name and telling her it's ok to come out.
She gives a small yelp as she tries to disentangle herself from under the car, and worried as I am, I dash to her side to help her up. We're both wet from head to toe, but somehow the situation turns amusing as we both smile at each other.
"It's done?"
"Yup," I nod. "I think we might need to leave the area before the cops arrive."
"You were quite dashing, you know," Noelle slips her hand through my arm, gluing herself to my side. "I saw some of those stunts you pulled and if I wasn't already flat on the ground I would have swooned anyway," she adds playfully.
"Happy to serve, my lady," I mimic a bow.
She giggles, hugging my arm tighter.
"I had full confidence in you, Raf. I always do. It's just that…" she trails off, the humorous mood from before all but gone.
"It's just that?" I ask, frowning.
"I know you. And I know that you're always willing to put yourself at risk to save others. AndthatI don't like."
"Pretty girl…"
"I don't like you taking unnecessary risks. Your first instinct is to save people. But I wish your first instinct was to survive no matter what—to come back tomeno matter what."
I stop abruptly as I realize how serious she is.
Gazing down at her, it's to find her deep in contemplation, hints of worry marring her expression.
"I didn't know that worried you so much," I add carefully.
"I don't know," she shrugs, forcing a smile. "Maybe I'm selfish, but I don't want you to risk your life for anyone else. I don't want you to get hurt from some random act of kindness…" she trails off, almost afraid she said too much.
“Noelle…”
"I love you, Raf. And it's quite funny since I love youbecauseof that. Because you're so selfless when I'm not. Because you're always ready to help. Yet at the same time… I hate it," the last words are spoken on a whisper.
I tip her chin up with my thumb, my eyes meeting hers as I see all the turmoil inside of her.
"Is it weird? That the very thing I love about you is making me hate it so bad? And it's all because I know you could be taken from me. That something could happen and…"
"I promise you," I say solemnly, interrupting her. Her eyes go wide, her lashes fluttering in surprise.
"I promise you I won't ever take unnecessary risks, or put myself in danger when I can avoid it."
"Raf…"
"I don'teverwant you to stress or worry about me, pretty girl. It's why I've been so hands off with the entire business. It's why I've tried to stay out of dangerous situations. But I'll strive to be better. That… I promise you," I give her the words.
Before I know it, she jumps in my arms, her legs going around my waist as she wraps her arms around my neck.
"Thank you. Thank you so much, Raf. You just… You really have no idea how much I love you," she confesses poignantly.
