Ava fought to breathe. Her body trembled uncontrollably as she stared at Maximus. A shuddering breath escaped her, followed by another, and then something wet trickled down her cheeks.
She didn't think, didn't hesitate, even as she watched his face harden, and his eyes sparkle with anger. Ava flung herself into Maximus's arms, gripping him like her life depended on it.
She buried her face in his shirt, and the moment she touched him, the floodgates broke. She didn't care that she was in public, or people were watching her. The moment his arms wrapped around her, she sobbed quietly.
"I thought... I thought I'd never see you again," she choked out between sobs.
A muscle worked its way on Maximus's jaw as he gritted his teeth. His eyes darkened as he looked around, searching for whatever or whoever was chasing his little wife. "What happened, Ava?"
