The location I sent Lewis was close to the beach. He must have guessed there would be a night market nearby. He probably came with nothing but hope in his chest one slim chance that fate would push me into his arms.
I had warned him not to move blindly. But to Lewis, even a tiny opening was worth bleeding for.
And somehow… it worked.
The moment Yael walked off toward a candy apple vendor, I didn't think. I just moved. My body chose Lewis before my mind could even catch up.
I ran to him.
He pulled me behind a thick tree, out of the lights, out of the crowd, and wrapped me in his arms so tight it felt like he was trying to fuse me back into his ribs. Like if he held me hard enough, I couldn't be taken again.
I clung to him, breathing him in like air. His scent was familiar, but there was smoke in it now sharp and bitter.
He'd been smoking.
He never did that around me before.
