A laugh bubbles up from somewhere deep inside me, surprising us both. “Sorry for not appreciating your fancy alcohol.”
“Drink it. You’re off the clock, and it’ll calm your nerves.”
Since Austin should be asleep when I get home, I throw it back like a shot. The burn down my throat is almost welcome—proof I’m still here, still breathing.
Alessio guides me toward the exit with a gentle hand on my back, and I don’t resist.
The drive passes in comfortable silence. I’m glad he doesn’t try to talk about what happened. I pick at my nails and watch the familiar streets blur past, feeling simultaneously grateful and shaky.
When we reach my house, he kills the engine and gets out. He opens my door, and I stand, automatically scanning the shadows around us.
There’s a tree on the corner that blocks the streetlight, making this spot perpetually dark. It’s never bothered me before, but tonight my own street feels dangerous.
Until Alessio places a hand on my elbow and guides me to the front door. Under the porch light Keshia left on for me, he turns to face me, his expression grim.
“Take a few days off.”
That sounds like a great plan for my mental health, but then I think about Austin’s medication and shake my head.
“I can’t. I need?—”
“The money. Yeah, I remember.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I’m transferring money to your account to cover your pay, including what you would’ve made on lap dances. This isn’t negotiable. And it has nothing to do with last night.”
My throat tightens. “Then why?”
“Consider it hazard pay.”
He won’t quite meet my eyes, and I know that’s not the whole truth. But pride is a luxury I can’t afford right now. Austin needs his medication more than I need to prove I can handle everything alone.
“Hazard pay,” I repeat, managing a weak smile. “I guess I earned that tonight.”
He starts to reach for my face, then catches himself and shoves his hand in his pocket. “Goodnight, Nina.”
Inside, I check the locks twice and peek in on Austin. He’s sound asleep, blankets tucked under his chin, looking so young andinnocent. The sight nearly breaks me. I’m supposed to protect him, not put myself in danger because we need money.
In my room, I drop my bag and sink onto the bed. The tears come then.
For what happened tonight, for all the times it happened before, for the fear that it might happen again.
But underneath the fear is something else: gratitude. For the first time in my life, someone showed up to save me. Someone cared enough to get his hands bloody defending me.
It’s a start.
18
ALESSIO
The rage hasn’t leftmy system by the time I pull back into the strip club parking lot.
If anything, the drive from Nina’s place has only given it time to simmer and grow.
That piece of shit who attacked her got thrown out by security before she even got dressed, and now I’m kicking myself for not dragging him into my office first and locking the door.
Could’ve given him a real educational experience about respecting women.
My hands are still aching from the beating I gave him, but it wasn’t nearly enough. The thought of his hands on Nina is what keeps the anger alive. Every time my knuckles throb, I see her terrified face and know I should have gone further. That might’ve satisfied the beast clawing at my chest.
Instead, I’m sitting here feeling like I could put my fist through the nearest brick wall.
