Zara bit down on the inside of her cheek as her boot caught on the uneven asphalt, her injured ankle giving way.
"Ah!" A sharp cry escaped her lips as she pitched forward, the searing pain shooting up her leg like wildfire. Instinctively, her hands flew to the bulge in her coat, shielding Leo as she twisted her body to take the brunt of the fall.
She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the cold, hard impact of the cracked asphalt.
But it never came.
Strong hands caught her mid-fall, yanking her upright with startling ease. The momentum pulled her close to man's chest, The jolt sent another wave of pain through her ankle, and she hissed, trying to pull herself away, but the stranger held firm.
"Careful," the man said gruffly, his voice low and steady. His eyes narrowed as they flicked to her hands, still clutching her coat.
