“Mom, I’m all right. Don’t cry,” I told her for the umpteenth time, but her tiny arms wouldn’t leave me as she kept shedding tears on my shoulder.

“You don’t tell me what to do, young lady! You almost gave us a heart attack today!” she snapped, sniffling. “You don’t put yourself in danger and then expect me not to freak out.”

I shook my head, looking at Dad for help. But he only watched me with displeasure. After I got an earful from Dad, Tobias, Tess, and Cassie, I was now in the clutch of Mom. She wouldn’t leave me for a second.

“Knock some more sense into her head. Because she suddenly got a habit of being overly brave nowadays.” My best friend narrowed her eyes at me.

“I knew she was going to do something. I told her not to get herself into any mess, but she didn’t listen.” This time, it was my brother.

“And yet you didn’t care to tell me what was running through her head about Arthur?” Ace glared at Tobias.

My brother scratched the back of his head. “Well, I didn’t think it was that serious.”

“That’s the problem. You never think anything. If you had told me, then I could have talked to her. But you just carelessly let it go! Do you have any idea what could have happened today?” Tess accused.

“Hey! I said I didn’t know it was going to be this serious. I also thought Arthur was a good man like the rest of you.”

“That man! I’ll strangle him if I get my hands on him for doing that to my baby girl,” Mom hissed, pulling me more into her hug.

“Yes. And I will assist you in that!” Cassie joined.

“Mom! I can’t breathe!” I complained.

On the other hand, my man shifted from one leg to another, eyes set on me. With a creased forehead, his hands clenched and unclenched. Irritation laced across his hard features.

Then finally, his patience snapped.

“All right, now, Mrs. Hutton. It’s time to feed her something.” He gently pulled me from Mom’s chest to his, immediately wrapping his arms around me.

Only then I felt him relaxing against me. As if it was a torture for him not to touch me even for a few seconds. He hasn’t left my side for a second after I gained my consciousness.

“You okay?” he asked while our family planned how they were going to punish Arthur.

Smiling, I nodded. “Now that you’re with me, I am.”

Pressing a lingering kiss on my forehead, he nuzzled my hair.

“Are you okay?” I looked into his stormy gray irises. They were still dark, swirling like a concealed volcano.