Page 132 of Dream Chaser

Nova’s blue eyes found mine. I’d told her nothing yet, but I would as soon as we were alone.

Too bad that glance had been the only acknowledgment I got. Everyone took turns speaking—updates, doubts—until it was Nova’s turn.

She twirled her pen, staring at the blank page in front of her.

“Nova?”

Silence. Worry twisted my gut. It wasn’t like her to space out like that or look so lost.

Eleanor touched Nova’s forearm. “Sorry,” Nova said. “I’ve been working on posts for Aeterno. Everything’s going fine.”

Something told me it wasn’t, and Aeterno had nothing to do with it.

“All right, then. That’s all. You can return to your tasks.”

As my staff began to file out of the room, I cleared my throat. “Nova, please stay.”

The corners of her mouth turned downward. She remained in her seat, twirling a pen.

“What’s wrong?” I asked once we were alone.

She glanced around as if to make sure nobody would overhear. Voices and laughter drifted through the thin wall separating us from the office. Anyone could hear us. Or walk in.

“Come with me,” I said. “Let’s talk somewhere private.”

“Ale,” she whispered. “I’m good. I’ve got lots to catch up on. This can wait.”

“No.”

I left the room first, then held the door open for her. We took the elevator to the roof. Despite the cloudless sky, the January air carried a bite.

I shrugged off my jacket and draped it over Nova’s shoulders as we stood facing the business district’s high-rises.

“Thank you,” she said, adjusting it around herself. “But you’re going to be cold.”

“Don’t worry about me. What happened?”

She glanced at me, then her chin trembled, and a choked sob escaped her lips.

Worry slammed into me. I wrapped her in my arms, smoothing a hand down her back. “It’s okay.” I kissed her hair, tightening my hold.

“It’s not.” Nova sniffled. “He rejected my settlement offer. I just…” She pressed her forehead to the crook of my neck, letting out a quivering breath. “I’m so tired. I’m wasting money on lawyer’s fees when I don’t even want anything from him. Just my freedom. It’s been months. How long will this continue? For another year?” She hastily wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “And no, I absolutely won’t pay him the amount he’s asking for because it’s unfair. They left the job half-done, which apparently is my fault. But if I’d let them carry on, he would’ve claimed I’d given my consent, and I never wanted any of that remodeling.”

She’d offered to settle with that piece of shit? To pay him? He didn’t deserve a cent.

Another sniffle, and my heart squeezed. He’d achieved what he wanted—make Nova so miserable she’d give in. Rage bubbled in my blood. He’d left her with nothing. She’d slept in her car because of him. If he deserved anything, it was being fucking sued.

“What now?” I asked. “What are you going to do?”

“Make another offer, I guess. Not what he’s asking for, but right now, I don’t see another solution.”

And the way it would play out was clear—he’d reject it. Revel in the feeling of control while making her waste more time and money. Drag this shit on for years, refusing to release her from his claws.

Nova looked skyward, blinking. When her eyes met mine, they were full of remorse. “I’m sorry for unloading this on you. You’ve got enough to worry about without my mess.”

“We’re together,” I said, cupping her face. “I want you to tell me everything.”

“I know,” she whispered. “But—”