Liam released her gently, letting her feet touch the ground, but Kelly didn't move. She clung to him like her body hadn't yet processed they were safe, like she was still falling through the air. Her arms stayed around his neck, her heart still hammering against his chest. The scent of him—the calm steadiness in his presence—only made it harder for her to let go.
She finally pulled back slowly, taking a step back to balance herself. Her eyes searched his in disbelief, breath short.
"How… how did you do that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, still shaking.
But before Liam could open his mouth to answer, they both heard it—footsteps, heavy and fast, rushing behind them.
Kelly's eyes widened in fear as she spun her head toward the noise.
"Oh no…" she said, almost under her breath. "They must've heard me scream. If they see my face—they'll recognize me."
