Ronan's driver tore through the city streets, weaving between cars and blasting through red lights, racing against time.

Ronan never thought anyone would take a bullet for him.

But here you were, pressing your hands against your abdomen as blood seeped through your fingers.

You were going to die, and you hadn’t even said the three words you’d kept locked away for so long.

I love you.

“Why the hell would you do that?” he snarled, his voice a harsh mix of fury and fear. “Why?”

“You’re not invincible,” you murmured, your voice heavy with emotion. “I couldn’t let you die.”

His eyes blazed, a storm of disbelief, anger, concern, and something unspoken. “You don’t get to sacrifice yourself for me,” he snapped, his jaw tight. “You don’t get to die for me, kotyonok. If anyone dies, it’s me. Understand?”