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I rearranged my arms around his neck, but it was enough time for him to gain space and slam down on my arms, sending me to the ground. I shoved my body back against the tree and stared up at him. Maybe I could crawl through his legs. I started kicking at him, when he suddenly went still over me.
Blood gurgled out of his mouth.
With a surprised grunt and a frown, he fell forward onto the dirt, right by my feet.
And Ivan stood behind him, knife in hand, blood splatter on his face. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
Ivan got down in the dirt and pulled me against him. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re in shock, it’s okay, just take some deep breaths, can you do that? In for four seconds, all right?”
I nodded against his chest, but couldn’t suck any air in. Panicking, I started to hyperventilate.
Ivan pinched me on the arm, then pressed his hand against my chest. “Breathe, now.”
Too pissed that he pinched me, I was distracted enough to breathe once, then twice while he rocked me in his lap.
I heard my dad’s voice, then others behind him, but I didn’t want to leave Ivan’s arms. He started to stand, but I gripped his arms.
He immediately stayed on the ground with me and spoke without looking over his shoulder. “It wasn’t one of mine.”
“How do you know?” Dad asked, before trying to shove Ivan out of the way. “Are you hurt? Bella? Talk to me. Are you okay?”
I shook my head and clung to Ivan.
“Bella…” Dad tried again. “Look at me, sweetheart.”
My exhale was heavy, shaky. “I’m—”
“She’s in fucking shock, Nixon, give her some breathing space, she nearly got thrown off a mother fucking cliff, all right? Would you be breathing normal? I know she’s your daughter, but she’s my wife, so step back and let me take care of her while you figure out who the hell would dare do this, all right? We all have our jobs, let me do mine.”
Nobody talked to my dad like that.
But Dad sighed. “I know, I know.”
“Then go be useful away from here.” Ivan snapped. “Seriously, she’s still shaking.”
“She’s my—”
“Again, I know who she is, but you gave her to me, she chose me, so let me choose her back right now and hold her, stop wasting words because I’m not leaving this spot until she feels safe, okay? If I need to grab a tent and send for water, I’ll let you know.”
I smiled against Ivan’s chest and clung to him tighter.
Dad got up and walked off as more men ran up and started talking with him.
“I feel that smile, you know,” Ivan whispered into my hair. “Think he’ll punch me later?”
“One can only hope.” I teased.
His laugh was soft. “I told you to tell me if you were tempted to fly, I almost didn’t catch you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Next time, I won’t be late.”
I pulled away from him slightly, my eyes searched his, they were so green, so focused on me I almost got lost. “You could have just let him push me—”
His soft kiss silenced me.
