Nico lifts the man off his feet and slams him into the wall again. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear the entire building shakes. Then Nico gets right in his face and roars, “How dareyou! Don’t you ever touch a woman like that! You think you’re so big, using your strength against a woman? I’ll show you what strengthreallyis.”
Then Nico slams him into the wall again.
Asshole subway guy looks at Nico and whimpers.
“I hit him with the pepper spray,” I offer. “That’s why his face is all red.”
I can see Nico fighting not to completely lose it. He glances around at the fifteen or so people around us, and takes several long, steadying breaths. “Here’s what’s going to happen,” Nico says. “The police are going to come. You’re going to admit everything. And when you get out of jail—because you aregoing to jail, I promise—I’ll be watching you. Always. And if you try anything like this again…”
Nico dips his head to speak close to the subway guy’s ear.
The guy looks absolutely terrified. And it’s great.
“Don’t even think about moving,” Nico adds in a louder tone. “Not even an inch.” He throws the guy to the ground. “If you move, trust me, you willregret it.”
Then Nico walks back to me and gathers me into his arms. His entire body is trembling. He presses his lips against my hair. “Shit, Sofia,” he says. “Ah, shit.”
After a few seconds, he pulls back just enough to inspect my face. Gently, he brushes his thumb across the sore spot on my forehead. “Shit,” he murmurs.“Shit.”
“I’m okay,” I assure him. “He didn’t really hurt me.”
Nico kisses my forehead. Then he says, “Hang on one second, Soph.”
“Wait.” I jerk my head up, almost smashing him in the chin. “How did you get here so quickly?” Because although the whole encounter with the subway asshole felt like it went on forever, in reality, it lasted less than a minute.
“I was following you,” Nico admits. “I know I said I was okay with it. But as soon as you left… I just couldn’t. So I followed you. Then I went into the diner across the way to wait. I didn’t want you to see me, so I hung back a block. And then I got stuck at the light…” Regret shadows his gaze. “I should have been here for you. I’m so sorry.”
“You were,” I insist. “You came.”
“Not in time,” he retorts. “Not in time to stop it from happening.”
I can’t argue with that. But the truth is, Nico won’t always be able to be with me. He’ll be working. Or I will. I might be at the grocery store, or he could be on a trip. No matter how much we love each other, we can’t be together all the time.
“You had my six,” I tell him. “I hit him with the pepper spray, just like I was supposed to. And then you came swooping in to help.” Wrapping my arms around his waist, I hug Nico hardbefore adding, “I was scared. At first, I couldn’t do anything. But I got past it. I overcame the panic. And I fought back.”
He stares at me, emotions working in his eyes. Then he strokes my cheek. “You did. And I’m so proud of you, Soph.” He pauses. “But I think I need a little more time before sending you off alone again. Is that okay?”
I nod. “That’s more than okay.”
From a couple blocks down, police cars approach. Before they arrive, I stretch up to whisper in Nico’s ear, “Do you think, after we deal with the police, we could go home? And maybe you could take a few hours’ break from work to try out the kitchen island thing?”
Nico kisses me hard. “Yes. We absolutelycan.”
Chapter Twenty
NICO
“Wrapping it up for the day, boss?”
Jamie slows as he approaches me, grinning widely as he takes in my loosened tie and jacket slung over my arm. My briefcase is set by my feet while I wait for the elevator to arrive, and a bouquet of red roses is resting atop it. His gaze dips to the flowers before lifting to meet mine. “At least,” he adds, “I’m assuming you’re headed upstairs to see your beautiful girlfriend.”
I lift my chin at him, then return his smile with one of my own. “You would be right. I’ve got plans with Sofia tonight.”
He checks his watch and gives me an approving nod. “Only five-thirty. I’m impressed.”
Shaking my head at him, I ask, “Remind me why I’m letting you harass me about how long I work, again?”
Jamie chuckles. Then he claps my shoulder. “Because you know I’m right. Work is important, I won’t deny that. But when you have someone waiting for you at home… Your priorities change.”
