Page 68

“Leave,” I ordered Niall, then turned my attention to Sienna. “Baby, look at me.”

She didn’t, her eyes locked on Niall’s retreating form, her bottom lip trembling and her body shuddering.

“Sienna?” I called out gently to her. She didn’t turn and my lungs burned, considering her strange behavior. “Sienna, baby, look at me.”

She did, but only once Niall disappeared through the door.

Her eyes found me, her blonde strands half camouflaging her face. I pushed them off and brushed my knuckles across her soft cheeks.

“You’re back.”

Her voice was hoarse, like she’d been smoking a pack of cigarettes every day for decades. Or been screaming for a long time.

“Yes, I’m here,” I rasped with the pent-up emotions swirling inside me. “I won’t be going anywhere again.”

She gasped, the sound thin and desperate as she fought for air. Her chest rose and fell in frantic, shallow breaths.

“Need… air…”

I scooped her into my arms bridal-style and crossed the room in two strides. The balcony doors flew open and a rush of cool night air swept over us.

She clawed at her throat, her fingers trembling. I caught her hand and pressed it firmly against my chest.

“Breathe with me.”

Her panic-filled eyes found mine.

I turned my body so my back would shelter her against the wind and pressed her closer to my chest.

“Just breathe with me,” I murmured. “Slowly.”

I drew in a long, deliberate breath, making sure she could feel the rise of my chest beneath her palm.

“In…” I exhaled slowly. “And out.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, fingers curling into my shirt, but she followed suit.

“That’s it,” I whispered. “Again.”

She took another breath. Then another.

Gradually, the frantic rhythm of her breathing eased. The desperate grip she had on my shirt loosened, but I kept my arms around her, refusing to let her go.

The wind rushed around us, cold on my back, but she was warm against my chest. I could feel every uneven breath she took, every tremor that passed through her body.

“Good,” I murmured. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

She rested her forehead against my shoulder, still breathing hard but no longer fighting for every breath.

“Don’t leave me with him,” she whimpered, lifting her eyes that darted over my shoulder to the door.

“I won’t.”

“Promise?”

I released a long breath and leaned my forehead against hers. “I promise.”

From here on, there was only one option: wherever I went, she went.