He didn’t answer.
That was worse.
I grabbed the receipts folder and shoved it against his chest hard enough that paper edges bent. “No.”
“Nella, listen to me.”
“Don’t you dare use that voice.”
“I need to end this.”
“You need to stop confusing ending something with shutting me out.”
His hand closed over the folder. “If I bring you into this, he’ll use you.”
“He’s already using me. He’s using my debt, my bar, my numbers, and your feelings about me, which I didn’t authorize but apparently have to manage.”
His mouth moved like he almost smiled and couldn’t.
I stepped closer. “I saved the bar in public tonight. My staff did their jobs. My customers paid. My receipts are right there. You don’t get to take the proof I earned and turn the last part into a private man fight.”
“This isn’t a fight.”
“Then why is your uncle waiting in my alley like a bad decision with parking?”
His eyes sharpened.
Outside, an engine idled beyond the service door, low and steady under the distant boardwalk music.
Nico looked toward the back hall.
I saw him reach for the old habit: move first, keep me back, take the damage where I couldn’t see it.
I picked up the deposit bag, my keys, and the top folder of receipts.
“Nella, stay inside.”
I laughed once. “That sounded like you forgot the last four days.”
His gaze snapped back to mine.
I moved around the counter and pointed toward the side door. “You want to face Sal with proof? Great. You want to tell him no? Beautiful. You want to burn down your old life? I’llbring marshmallows after the debt is handled. But you don’t leave me behind in my own crisis.”
“He’s dangerous.”
“So are you.”
“That’s not the same.”
“No. You ask permission before you use teeth.”
His breath changed.
I stepped into his space and lowered my voice. “You stood beside me tonight. I’m standing beside you now. Partnership. Remember? It’s that thing where nobody gets to be noble and stupid alone.”
For one second, Nico looked like he might argue.
Then the engine outside revved once and settled.
