Nyx’s expression softened. “Okay. I’ll get you out of here.”
She guided me to the door, supporting me like I weighed nothing at all, and I leaned on her, still trembling.
Somehow, the thought of getting out of the club, out of the suffocating walls, gave me just enough strength to stand on my own. Nyx’s presence was steady, her arm around my waist anchoring me to reality. We moved quickly, weaving past the crowd and through the back exit.
The Range Rover waited, and Nyx helped me inside.
She leaned toward the driver. “Take us to my apartment.”
The car rolled off, tires vibrating against the asphalt.
My phone buzzed in my lap, the screen lighting up with Ocean’s name. My heart jumped painfully, but I didn’t answer. I wasn’t ready. Not yet.
“Ocean’s calling,” Nyx said, placing a gentle hand on mine.
“I…I can’t,” I whispered. “Not now.”
She nodded.
Moments later, the phone rang again. This time, Nyx picked up, putting it on speaker. She spoke quickly, but gently. “Ocean, she’s okay. She just needs a second.”
“But what’s going on? Is it something I did? If it’s about me beating that nigga’s ass?—”
“I wish I could tell you, but I don’t have an answer for you right now. I just know she had some kind of panic attack, and she needs a little space. I’m taking her back to my place. I’m sure she’ll call you tomorrow.”
I stayed silent, gripping Nyx’s arm. Her words were a shield, a buffer that kept me from panicking all over again.
“Alright,” I heard Ocean say, and there was a pause. “Just…keep her safe. I’ll wait to hear from her tomorrow.”
Nyx hung up, turning to me with a soft smile. “See? Everything’s going to be fine. Ocean’s going to be fine.”
The ride felt like hours, though it couldn’t have been more than a few minutes.
When we finally pulled up in front of her apartment, I felt a fragile sense of safety wash over me.
Before we went inside, she pulled me into another hug, squeezing me so tight it felt like she was trying to hold me together. “I got you.”
I nodded into her shoulder, grateful, exhausted, and more exposed than I had felt in years.
After a long moment, I forced myself to pull back just enough to meet her eyes. “Nyx…I was raped.”
My throat burned when I said it.
“What?” Her eyes widened in horror as her hands tightened around my arms. “When? Where?”
“Years ago,” I whispered. “At a party.”
Her face went pale, shock quickly giving way to something sharper, protective. “By who?” she asked, voice trembling with anger.
My stomach twisted. “I never knew his name,” I replied. “I barely even saw his face that night. But…” My voice faltered. “I would never forget his voice.”
Nyx frowned, confusion flickering across her features as she searched my face. “What do you mean?”
I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. “The guy Ocean was fighting outside the club…that was him.”
Her eyes went wide all over again, disbelief crashing into her expression. “What?” she breathed. “Are you serious?”
Tears burned behind my eyes as I nodded. “The second I came outside and heard him talking, I knew. I didn’t even have to see him.”
