Chapter Forty-Two

"Niko, you're back!"

I run to Niko and throw my arms around him. As I bury my face in his chest, I realize my heart is beating so fast. I breath in his masculine scent, a moment passes then another, just as I'm about to pull away, his arm comes around me. One palm cradles my head to his chest the other wraps around my back.

I feel him exhale in my hair.

Apparently, a part of me was a little worried about his wellbeing. It's not like I missed his presence around the house. I had just been concerned about his safety. In these past few days, I learned he must have lost of enemies and a target on his back.

Back in Chicago I remember going with mother to visit some aunties from time to time who lost their husbands. There was a lot of crying and wailing sometimes screaming and cursing. The sight was never pleasant. I was a child back then so I never got any details. I just knew that my young and healthy uncles were fine on day and gone through next. Now I know they