"What just happened?" I utter breathlessly as he turns me back, and I'm rendered mute as he yanks me into his arms and hugs me tight. Bruising me with the force of his crushing hold as he puts everything into holding me. I can feel his labored heaving of breath, his heart pounding erratically in his chest. Exhaling with relief and almost breaks my bones with the intensity of what he's doing.

"You scared the shit out of me. What the hell were you doing going out there alone to face them? Why would you confront them? Are you stupid? Do you know how hurt you could have gotten if...