The bullets came through the rear window like the world ending.
Ziva didn't even get the chance to scream before Tyrell dragged her down to the car floor.
His body covered hers completely. Heavy. Solid. Warm.
"Stay down!" His voice was right against her ear, rough and commanding.
Another burst of gunfire tore through the night making the car swerve more violently and Ziva's cheek pressed against cold leather with Tyrell's weight pinning her in place.
She couldn't breathe, not because he was crushing her but because she could feel everything, from his heartbeat thundering against her back to the way his chest expanded with each breath and the flex of his muscles as he shifted to shield her better.
Ziva hated herself for noticing.
"Marcus!" Tyrell barked. "Lose them!"
"Trying, sir!" The car jerked left making Ziva slide across the floor and Tyrell moved with her, hand shooting out to cradle the back of her head before it could crack against the door.
"I've got you," he murmured.
Her pulse was racing because this close, she could see the scar on his jaw, a thin white line cutting through stubble. When had he gotten that? She'd never noticed it in high school but then again, she'd spent most of junior year avoiding eye contact with him.
"Dangerous" she'd called him back then and he just confirmed that she'd been right, so why did her traitorous body feel safe beneath his?
The car swerved again, harder this time. Ziva's hand shot out instinctively, grabbing onto the front of Tyrell's shirt for balance.
His breath hitched. She felt it. That tiny catch in his chest.
Their faces were suddenly inches apart.
His gaze dropped to her lips, just for a second then snapped away like he'd been burned.
Ziva's stomach flipped. "No. Absolutely not, he bought you. This is Stockholm syndrome or adrenaline or..."
"You're safe," Tyrell said, voice rougher than before. "I promise."
Ziva wanted to argue, wanted to tell him she'd never be safe with him but something in his eyes stopped her because it looked like fear. For her.
More gunfire erupted. Closer this time.
Ziva's heart pounded against her ribs. This was so wrong.
Glass rained down on them but Tyrell's back took the hit because his body was shielding her. He didn't flinch, just kept her pinned like if he held on tight enough, nothing could touch her.
"Almost there!" Marcus shouted from the front.
The car accelerated, its tires screaming against asphalt. Then silence.
Just the hum of the engine and their breathing that sounded too loud in the sudden quiet.
"We lost them!" Marcus' voice was triumphant.
Tyrell didn't move.
Neither did Ziva.
They stayed frozen, pressed together on the floor of the car, his breath warm against her neck.
"Are you hurt?" The question came out quiet.
Ziva shook her head, she didn't trust her voice.
Tyrell pulled back slowly like he didn't want to let go.
He offered his hand.
Ziva stared at it for a long moment before she took it.
The white dress was now torn and covered in glass and blood...not hers. His. From shielding her.
"You're bleeding," she said.
Tyrell glanced at his arm. A long cut ran from shoulder to elbow, blood already soaking through his shirt. "It's fine."
"That's not fine."
"I've had worse." His hand was still on her arm.
Ziva jerked away "We should..." she started.
The car turned sharply, descending into darkness.
The underground garage was all concrete and shadows.
Tyrell helped her out of the car, hand at the small of her back. The touch burned through the thin silk.
Ziva took two steps and her legs gave out.
The drugs were still in her system. Adrenaline fading fast, leaving nothing but exhaustion and chemical fog.
Tyrell caught her before she hit the ground. Arm around her waist, pulling her against his side. "I've got you." That phrase again.
Ziva looked up at him, feeling dizzy and disoriented. His face was too close, dark eyes searching hers with an intensity that made her chest tight.
"Why does it feel like you always have?" The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Tyrell went completely still. His grip on her waist tightened slightly.
"Sir." Marcus appeared from somewhere in the shadows. Tablet in hand. Expression grim.
Tyrell didn't look away from her. "What?"
Marcus hesitated, glancing between them. "We have a problem."
"What kind of problem?"
"The marriage license we forged to claim her as your wife" Marcus paused. "It won't hold up in court. I just confirmed with our legal team. If the traffickers challenge it, they can legally reclaim her as purchased property. The sale was binding."
Ziva's blood turned to ice. "What?"
"They'll come for her," Marcus continued. "And next time..."
"Then we make it real." The words dropped like a bomb.
Ziva's head snapped toward Tyrell. "Make what real?"
He finally looked away from her and turned to Marcus with his face hardening into something cold and absolute. "How fast can you arrange it?"
"Tonight if needed. I have a judge on retainer who owes us but sir, are you certain?"
"Do it."
"Wait." Ziva pushed away from him, stumbling. Her legs barely held. "Wait, what are you talking about? Marriage license? Forged... what?"
Tyrell turned back to her with his expression unreadable. "Marry me." His voice was calm. "Tonight. Legally because it's the only way to keep you safe."
Ziva's laugh sounded hysterical. "You're insane!"
"Maybe." Tyrell stepped closer. Not touching her but close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "But I'm also the only thing standing between you and a cargo ship to Dubai."
The words hit like a physical blow. "This is blackmail," Ziva whispered.
"This is survival." His voice sounded almost apologetic. "You marry me, you're legally mine. Protected by every law and resource I have, you become untouchable but you refuse, then they will find you and when they do..." He didn't finish.
Ziva's hands were shaking. "I'm not marrying you."
"Then you're dead." Simple. Final. True.
Ziva wanted to scream, wanted to run, wanted to wake up and discover this entire nightmare was just that, a nightmare but the cold concrete under her bare feet was real.
"I don't even know you," she said.
Pain flickered across his face. "I know."
"This is insane."
"I know that too."
"I hate you."
Tyrell's jaw tightened. "You don't have to love me, Ziva. You just have to stay alive."