Chapter 37: Cop Friends

They turned to see Quentin walking back over to them. As soon as Natalie saw him, she let go of Nyrissa and raced over to Quentin, enveloping him in a hug.

"Thank you! Thank you for protecting my sister!" Natalie said, starting to cry.

Quentin looked startled at first, then wrapped his arms around Natalie, hugging her back. He gently rocked her and murmured soothingly as Natalie slowly cried herself out.

He caught Nyrissa's eyes as he spoke to Natalie, making it clear that he was speaking to both of them. "Ryan and I... we will always protect you both. Remember that, sweetheart."

"Thank you," Nyrissa mouthed to him.

Nyrissa wanted to say more to him but was interrupted before she could even try. The area erupted into a flurry of activity as the police finally showed up and started to move people out of the way. Quentin waved Mandy over and told her to take Natalie off to the side.