"She's strong," I said. "But she shouldn't have to do this alone."
"No, she shouldn't. Not when she's got you. Which means she's got all of us." He fell silent for a beat. "Daemon? Don't let her decide tonight. Not when she's scared and exhausted. Make her eat something, get some rest, and we'll regroup tomorrow with a plan."
After I hung up, Nadia was quiet, though not for long.
"Malakai," she finally said. "He's really willing to help? Even though he barely knows me?"
"He knows you matter to me. That's enough." I moved toward her. "And you're not a burden. This is how people show they care about each other. They show up."
She looked like she might cry. "I'm scared."
"I know." I pulled her close again, felt her arms come around my waist. "But we're going to figure this out. Together."
"Together," she repeated, like she was testing the word.
"Now." I pulled back, keeping my hands on her shoulders. "When did you last eat?"
"I... had coffee and a pastry this morning?"
"Christ, Nadia." I steered her toward a chair. "Sit. I'm making you something."
"You don't have to?—"
"Relax, I've got this." I walked out to my truck and grabbed the leftover lasagna. After setting it on the large stainless-steel table in the middle of the kitchen, I opened an industrial refrigerator and weighed my options. "I can reheat the lasagna and throw together a salad. Nothing fancy, but it's edible."
She sank into the chair, looking exhausted. "You came prepared to cook."
"Not so much cook as reheat. Sofia insisted. She's weirdly invested in making sure you're fed."
"She barely knows me."
"She knows I'm different around you. That's enough for Sofia." I started chopping vegetables for the salad. "She's been waiting years for me to find someone who matters."
"And do I matter?" Her voice was soft.
I stopped chopping and turned to look at her. "Yeah, Nadia. You matter."
We ate at the prep table, surrounded by stainless steel and commercial equipment. It wasn't romantic, but it felt right. Real.
"This is fantastic," she said, forking up more food. "The lasagna is incredible."
"That's all thanks to Sofia. All I did was heat it up." I watched her eat, relieved to see some color coming back to her face. "Feel better?"
"Yeah," she said before taking another bite. "I didn't realize how hungry I was."
"That happens when you're stressed. You forget the basics." I reached across the table and caught her hand. "Promise me you won't decide about Elevate without sleeping on it."
"Daemon—"
"I mean it. Malakai and the others will find something. I know they will. But even if they don't, there are options. We'll figure it out." I gripped her hand. "Don't give up yet. Not when we're just getting started."
Her eyes searched mine. "Why are you doing this? We barely know each other. We've slept together twice. Why do you care so much about my business problems?"
"Because they're your problems. Which makes them my problems." I stood and pulled her to her feet. "Six months ago, I watched you handle a drunk groomsman with calm competence that made me realize I was completely screwed. Every time I see you, you're taking care of everyone else. Your family, your staff, your clients. You deserve someone in your corner for once."
"Daemon." Her voice broke on my name.
The next words were right there. The same ones that had stalled in my chest two nights ago, no smaller for the wait. They didn't make it out this time either. "I know it's fast," I said instead. "And I know you're scared. But I'm not going anywhere. So you can either keep trying to handle everything alone, or you can let me help."
