I take a step.
He backs up. Fast.
“Yeah,” he says, pointing as he retreats. “This isn’t over. You hear me?”
I don’t answer.
I just watch him until he turns the corner and disappears.
Only then do I look at Nova.
Her face is pale. Her eyes are wide. Her wrist is red where he grabbed her.
I move in close, hands gentle as I check her arm.
“Look at me,” I say.
She does, blinking like she’s trying not to fall apart.
“You hurt?” I ask.
She shakes her head once. “Just… scared.”
“You’re safe. I’m here.”
Her mouth parts like she’s about to say something, but I’m already guiding her toward the diner.
“Let's get inside,” I tell her. “Eat.”
“Maverick, I…”
“Nova.” I make it a warning and an anchor all at once. “Inside. Now.”
She hesitates for half a second, then nods and moves.
I keep my body between her and the street until the diner door shuts behind her.
Then I follow.
Mabel takes one look at us and her face hardens.
“What happened? she demands.
“Nothing important.”
I don’t take my eyes off Nova as she slides into a booth, still shaking.
I lean down, bracing my hands on the table near Nova’s shoulders, close enough that she can feel me without me caging her.
“You’re not going to the bank alone,” I say quietly. “Not again.”
Her throat works. “I just wanted to deposit the money.”
“We will,” I say.
I brush my thumb over the inside of her wrist, gentle. “We eat. Then I’m walking you back over there. You deposit every dollar. And after today…”
I hold her gaze.
