“Kiki, talk to me. Are you okay? What happened?”
“You’re in danger,” she blurted out.
She shoved him, knocking him back so fast he landed on the floor, stunned. She scrambled upright, her chest heaving.
“Tonight. They will come for you tonight. I have to stop them,” she said, her voice hoarse, wild.
“What—?”
She ran both hands through her hair, pressing her palms to her skull like she could force the vision into order. Her blood felt like ice and flame all at once.
Nikos stared at her, stunned. “What are you talking about? Kiki—what happened?”
She didn’t answer.
Because she wasn’t sure yet what she was going to do.
Ms. Peabody leaped onto the couch, meowing indignantly, then climbed into Kiki’s lap like she was reclaiming her human.
Kiki closed her eyes and gently stroked the cat’s fur. The steady warmth of the movement slowed her racing heart. Gave her something solid to hold.
She inhaled. Exhaled.
Her jaw clenched.
She could tell him everything.
Or handle it herself.
The latter would hurt less.
Nikos stood, towering over her. “Kiki, talk to me.”
She rose, too, her arms tightening around Ms.Peabody.
“You need to leave.”
He frowned. “What?”
“I’m tired.” Her voice was soft but final. “It’s been a long day.”
“I’m not going anywhere until?—”
She reached out, placed a hand on his chest...
And pushed.
Not physically.
Mentally.
The suggestion rippled through him like a tremor. He recoiled, blinking, his face flashing with confusion—and something else. Anger. Shock.
“What the hell?—?”
She pushed again. Stronger this time.
You will forget what just happened. You left me at my door and will go to your club.
