Leo crossed the room, knelt in front of her, and took her hands in his. His gray eyes held hers.
"Listen to me," he said, his voice low and steady. "You are not my weakness."
Bella's lips trembled.
"You are my strength." He squeezed her hands. "And no one, no one, is going to use you to hurt me. Because I won't let them. And neither will you."
Jay stood up, his anger replaced by determination. "Bella, you're family. We protect family. Whoever this S.P. is, we'll find him. And when we do—"
"We'll handle it," Jace finished, his voice quiet but firm.
Bella looked at them, seeing their protective expressions. She nodded slowly, feeling warm in her heart.
"Okay," she whispered.
Leo pulled her into his arms, holding her close. She buried her face in his chest, breathing in his scent, feeling the steady beat of his heart.
"I won't let anyone hurt you," he murmured against her hair. "Not ever."
She nodded, her fingers clutching his shirt.
