Page 67 of Nitro

"Sure, we can share. But, Dylan, is your appetite affected by the attack?" I asked.

Dylan gave me serious look “Tommy, seriously, I'll be back at work in a few days. Don't worry about it too much. I've had worse scrapes,” he said.

I fidgeted, my guilt still lingering.

"I know, but I can't help feeling responsible for all this. If it weren't for someone in my past, if it weren't for Hicks?—"

Dylan interrupted me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Tommy, stop. This isn't your fault. You didn't ask for this to happen. It's not like you had control over the situation,” he reminded me.

That was exactly what Nitro told me when left our room but I realized I needed to hear the same words from Dylan.

"But it happened because of me, because of my history," I insisted.

Dylan furrowed his brow, genuinely puzzled.

"Why would I be mad at you? This isn't some punishment. It's just a crappy situation, and we’ll deal with it,” Dylan said.

I sighed, grateful for his understanding but still struggling with my own self-blame.

"I just feel like I've put you in danger, and it's eating at me,” I pointed out.”

Dylan chuckled, shaking his head. "Tommy, we're part of the same family now. We look out for each other,” he said.

We finished breakfast while catching up on our favorite Korean drama.

The laughter from the show provided a brief escape from the tension surrounding us.

Eventually, Dylan turned off the TV, his expression sobering as he looked at me.

“Tommy,” he said, his voice quiet, "do you have any idea who's responsible for this?"

I shook my head, my mind grappling with the uncertainty.

"No, Dylan, I have no clue. I can't think of anyone who would do this. It might be someone Hicks knew, a friend or family member maybe,” I said.

Dylan had only been Hicks’ captive for a short time but he did his best trying to recall any of Hicks’ men.

“Sorry, I can’t think of anything either,” Dylan admitted.

His words washed over me as an idea struck me. Dylan reached out and touched my arm, concern in his eyes.

"Tommy, what's wrong? Is there something you're not telling me?" Dylan asked.

I hesitated, the memory of the pale face at my window creeping back into my mind. I shuddered involuntarily.

"I had a nightmare a couple of nights ago. I woke up and saw a face, someone pale, clinging to my window. It might be nothing. I dismissed it as a bad dream but then I remembered the little details you told us about your attacker..." I trailed off.

"You never told me that," a voice added.

I glanced up, startled to find Nitro standing in the doorway, his gaze focused on me.

He must have swung by to check on me, perhaps intending to talk to Whizz, but I hadn't noticed either of them.

My attention was fully absorbed in the conversation with Dylan.

I shifted awkwardly, feeling a bit exposed for sharing my vulnerabilities in front of Nitro without realizing he was there.

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