Page 190 of Bossy Romance

I remain quiet, giving her the space to work things out in her own mind.

Whatever she chooses, I’m going to support her. I’m going to stand with her. But I want her to make a choice she can live with. One that won’t leave her plagued with guilt or discontent.

Nova fastens her hard gaze on the police officers beside Lyra. “Take her to the station.”

“What?” Lyra shrieks.

“I’m not going to save you, but I’ll hire a lawyer on your behalf,” she says. “That’s the most I can do.”

“Girl, I’m yourblood. You gonna do me dirty like this?”

Nova’s eyes brighten with rage. I cringe, wishing Lyra had just shut her mouth.

“You’re lucky you even have achanceat seeing the light of day after this.” Her voice slashes through the air like a sword. “You don’t deserve this much grace after all the crap you’ve pulled through the years. You and I both know it. It’s only because of this man,” she flings an arm at me, “that I’m showing some humanity. Without him, I’d bury you so deep you wouldn’t be able to come up for air.”

Lyra’s chest heaves and she lets loose a blood-curdling scream.

Nova doesn’t even blink.

“You think you’re better than me! You’ve always thought that!”

“No, Lyra. I’m not better than you. I just make better choices.”

Face twisted and teeth bared, Lyra launches at Nova. Impulsively, I drag Nova behind me and whip an arm out to keep her back and away from danger.

The police grip Lyra’s shoulders and wrestle her around before she can get to us.

“Take her away,” I bark.

The cops shove Lyra out of the lobby. She’s kicking, squirming and screaming bloody-murder, but the sound soon fades. I watch as they shove her head into a police car and drive away.

The adrenaline shooting through my body recedes.

“Are you okay?” I squeeze Nova’s hand.

A flash of weariness crosses her face. It disappears in an instant, replaced by that practiced shell of apathy. “Of course.”

The words sound so dark and cold that I want to wrap my arms around her until the stiffness leaves her shoulders. Nova might be business-minded, careful and decisive, but she’s not ruthless. Being cold and in control all the time takes its pound of flesh. I’ve seen her stumble under the weight of it and I just want to protect her.

“Do you want to go home now? I can call Hall to take care of Lyra’s situation. And I can find someone else to compile the list of missing items.”

“I’m fine,” she insists, her voice quiet.

“Nova.”

“Stop, Adam. You’re only making it worse.”

“Making what worse?”

She avoids my gaze. Her frame shudders on a sigh. “I’m embarrassed and sorry to you. I can’t handle you being sweet right now.”

“Sorry? For what?” I slip my fingers under her chin and lift her head. “This is not your fault. I’m the one who didn’t heed your words and brought her into Vision Tech. All of this is on me.”

Nova shakes her head. “Let’s just calculate the damage. We can play the blame game later.”

I flash a smile.

Her lips twitch in return. It’s not a full-blown grin, but it’s better than nothing.

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