Sealed with a kiss

hings got wor

of shouting and crashing echoed in the distance. Alice's nerves were on edge, her heart thumping wildly. She and Jake

r heart racing. Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her towa

She could see figures running in the streets, some carryi

o burst open. One of Jake's guards ran in,

e asked, but the g

barely keep up. Her mind was spinning, her fear growing stronger. As they ran through the d

at Jake. There was no time to think. No time to hesitate. Without a second thou

past her, missing t

uted, grabbing Jake

shaking, her breath coming in short gasps, but she didn't stop. They darted through the

's hand. "Are you okay?" he ask

ken to speak. She had never

the front seat. "Jake," he said firmly, "your f

I'm not leaving without her," he said. "She saved my l

me, her stomach twisted with fear. She didn't know what she

hen they pulled up to the gate, Alice's eyes widened. The house was enormous, surrounded by

saw him. He was older, maybe in his early forties, with dark hair streaked with a bit of gray and sharp blue

walked up the steps. "This is A

as he reached them, he placed a hand on Jake's shoulder, giving him a firm but g

e looked at her. "You must be Alice," he said, h

adn't felt before. She had never seen someone so handsome, so strong. There was something ab

anaged to say, her voice

ouldn't take her eyes off him. He was everything she had never expec

. When he spoke to his guards or to Jake, his voice was always calm and sure. She found herself hanging on to every w

"You're welcome to stay here as long as you need," he said, his eyes m

saved Jake's life, but now, all she could t

every passing second. She had never felt this way about anyone, let alone someone s