“She's not yours,” Jules says fiercely. “She never was.”
“Marriage certificate says different.”
“Divorce papers will say different,” Teddy interjects. “Along with the charges for sexual assault I just witnessed.”
Roman's confidence falters. He looks between Teddy's badge, my murderous expression, and Jules's protective stance over Nova.
“This isn't finished,” he mutters, backing away. “I know where you are now. I'll be back.”
“No,” I say quietly. “You won't.”
There's a certainty in my voice that makes him pause. A promise. A threat.
Roman looks at Nova one last time, then disappears into the crowd.
I gather Nova closer, feeling her heartbeat against my ribs. “He's gone, baby. I've got you.”
“He touched me,” she whispers brokenly. “Just like before. I thought—I thought I was strong now.”
“You are strong.” Teddy moves to her other side, creating a protective barrier. “This doesn't change that.”
Jules nods fiercely. “One surprise attack doesn't erase everything you've overcome.”
But I can see it in Nova's eyes—the doubt creeping back in. The fear she'd finally started to release. Roman's presence has shattered her hard-won peace, dragged her back to that helpless girl who had nowhere to run.
“Look at me,” I command gently, tilting her chin up. “You're not alone this time. You have us. You have me.”
Her eyes search mine. “What if he comes back? What if he?—”
“He won't.” The certainty in my voice surprises even me. “I promise you, Nova. He will never touch you again.”
Because Roman Miller just signed his death warrant. And unlike Malachi, who gets the slow torture he deserves, Roman's end will be swift and final.
Some monsters don't deserve elaborate revenge.
They just deserve to die.
I catch Teddy's eye and jerk my head toward Nova. He understands immediately and moves closer to her.
“I've got her,” Teddy says quietly, his hand finding Nova's shoulder. “Jules, let's get her cleaned up.”
Nova's still shaking, tear tracks cutting through her makeup, but she nods. Jules wraps an arm around her waist, murmuring reassurances as they guide her toward our trailer.
“Where are you going?” Nova asks, turning back to look at me.
“To make sure he leaves.” The lie rolls off my tongue easily. “I'll be right back, baby.”
Her eyes search mine for a heartbeat too long, but Teddy distracts her with gentle questions about whether she's hurt anywhere else. By the time they disappear into the trailer, I'm already moving.
Roman's shambling through the carnival crowd like the piece of shit he is, checking over his shoulder every few steps. Smart of him to be paranoid. Not smart enough to matter.
I keep my distance, weaving between families and teenagers, using the noise and chaos as cover. He's heading for the parking lot—probably figures he can get to his car and disappear back into whatever hole he crawled out of.
Wrong.
The lot's half-empty now, most of the afternoon crowd filtering home before the evening show. Roman's walking faster, keys already in his hand as he approaches a beat-up sedan that's seen better decades.
I wait until he's fumbling with the door handle before I move.
