Some days, I’ll feel down about it and curse Austin’s fucking name for what he did to me, but right now, I’m determined to adjust my life until I master everything that needs mastering.
Nico must read my thoughts because he brings my hand to his mouth, kissing the space gently. “Still the sexiest hands I’ve ever seen.”
I chuckle and push him away. “You’re a dork. Come on, get me home. I want to shower in my own bathroom.”
“This is technically your bathroom, too.”
“Yeah, but this cabin doesn’t have the multi-function shower head. And the water pressure is shit.”
Nico cackles as he helps me to my room to pack up all the shit that made its way over here in the past six weeks.
I’m glad I had somewhere to crash that few people knew about. It gave me time to rest and not have nightmares about someone coming after me. There was a time or two that faint footsteps had me breaking out into a cold sweat, something that I will probably have to see a doctor about. I don’t want to live in fear of fucking footsteps.
But I think I had a peace of mind, knowing that Austin and his fucking bitch-ass family couldn’t find me.
“No word on Austin?” I ask as I stuff shirts into my duffle bag.
Nico falters for a second as he folds my jeans but recovers quickly. “Not yet. You’ll know as soon as we do.”
I stop packing and narrow my eyes at him. “Are you trying to protect me by not telling me where that fucking fucker is?”
Every day, I’ve been asking where that fucker is and every day, Nico tells me there’s no word. The same with Carter and Kai. I wonder if all of them collectively got together and discussed keeping the information away from me.
He sighs and tosses the pants to the bed. “Is that so wrong? Can’t I make sure my fiancé isn’t hurt more than he already has been?”
My heart skips as he calls me his fiancé. Fuck, I can’t believe I agreed to marry him. I mean, I can, but marriage was never something I thought about. Not until him. Wanting to tie myself to Nico forever is a fucking dream, though I won’t tell him that.
“Dammit, Nico,” I huff. “You can’t do that. I’m not fucking weak.”
“I know,” he says gently, pissing me off more. “I don’tthink you’re weak at all. But I want you to finish healing before you torture anyone again, yeah?”
“Not your call,fiancé,” I sneer.
Nico smiles widely, a dimple popping in his cheek. He walks over to me and pulls me close. “You make that word sound so sexy.”
I can’t help but grin back. “Ugh, get the fuck away from me.”
He kisses me quickly, then goes back to his own packing. “You’re right, it’s not my call. But I don’t give a fuck. You can either deal with it or…deal with it.”
I throw a shoe at him.
After we finish packing, we head outside, and Nico tells everyone we’re heading home. He gives them their new assignments—which is usually my job, but whatever—and we all take off, Manuel driving me and Nico. I lean against Nico the whole way home, my eyes closed as I soak up his energy.
Over the past six weeks, Nico has been my rock every step of the way. He let me vent about not being able to move like I want because of my injuries, he let me cry about how much pain I was in, he let me go off on what I wanted to do to Austin and his fuck-ass cousin when I ran into them. But the whole time, he never invalidated my feelings. He listened, not to respond, but to give me all the support I needed. I don’t think I could have found a better partner if I tried.
Almost an hour later, we arrive at my place. I don’t know why a lump lodges in my throat as I look up at the building. Maybe because I thought I’d never see it again? Who knows?
The three of us make our way upstairs. Manuel stops at the door and says, “I can keep watch.”
“Nah,” I say. “I have a spare room you can crash in. It’s late and I don’t want to worry about if you’re getting sleep or not.” When he opens his mouth, I hold a hand up. “Don’t pissme off by arguing. I haven’t tried to shoot anyone with my middle finger on my left hand, but I’m willing to try if you open your pie hole with some bullshit.”
Manuel chuckles and steps inside. “You got it. Tell me where to crash.”
Surprising myself, I walk him to Hendrix’s room. “We’re in the process of cleaning it out, but you can sleep here.”
Nico wraps his arm around my waist, giving me some of his strength as I watch Manuel sit on Hen’s bed.
When I’m sure he’s settled in, me and my fiancé make our way to my room. I sigh when I shut the door and lean against it.
