Leonel arched a brow, his gaze flickering between your face and the sports bag that lay at his feet, packed and ready to go. His expression softened slightly, though he kept more physical distance between the two of you. “Look, I'm a fighter. That's what I do. I have to go. And don't give me that crap about being paranoid. You know this is my life.”

He walked closer to you, held your face in his hands, and kissed your forehead. “Sweetheart, I'll be back before you know it, I promise.”