His fist stopped mid-swing. He looked at me, his eyes still wild with rage.
“He’s drunk,” I said, moving closer. “He’s not worth it.”
“He almost killed you.”
“But he didn’t. Because of you.” I reached out, my hand on his arm. “You saved me. Now let it go.”
“Zahara—”
“Please.”
The word came out softer than I meant it to. More vulnerable.
Prime’s jaw worked, but slowly—so slowly—he lowered his fist. He shoved the drunk man down to sit on the ground, then turned to the gathering crowd.
“Someone call the cops. And an ambulance.”
People scrambled to obey, pulling out phones.
Prime turned back to me, and the look in his eyes made my breath catch. Raw. Unfiltered. Possessive.
“You could’ve been killed,” he said quietly.
“But I wasn’t.”
“Because I got to you in time. What if I hadn’t? What if—” His hand came up to my face, his thumb brushing my cheek. “Fuck, Zahara. You’re shaking.”
I was. I hadn’t even realized it.
“I’m okay. You made sure I was okay.”
His hand lingered for a moment before I stepped back, breaking the contact. Breaking whatever spell was forming between us.
“Thank you,” I said. “For… for saving me. But I need to check on Yusef and Nigel. Make sure they’re?—”
“Z!” Yusef’s voice cut through the chaos. He and Nigel came running up, both of them wide-eyed and scared. “Are you okay? We saw the car?—”
“I’m fine, baby. I’m fine.” I pulled him into a hug, then Nigel too. “You both okay?”
“We were on the other side. We didn’t—” Yusef looked at Prime, recognition dawning. “You saved her.”
Prime’s expression softened slightly. “Yeah. I did.”
“Prime!” His grandmother’s voice rang out. She was making her way through the crowd with her cane, looking equal parts furious and worried. “Prentice Alexander Banks, what in God’s name is happening?”
“There was an accident, Grandma. Everyone’s okay.”
“An accident my behind. I heard you about to beat someone.” She reached us, her cloudy eyes moving in my direction. “Is this the young lady you were talking to?”
“Yes, ma’am. This is Zahara.”
“He… he saved my life,” I said, still processing everything.
“That’s what Banks men do. Protect what’s precious to them.” She patted my arm. “You take care, baby. Something tells me we’ll be seeing more of each other.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Prime’s eyes locked on mine. “We need to talk.”
