Page 100 of Live Like Legends

“How are you guys doing over there, under Ariel’s thumb?”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Alright, surprisingly, Ariel isn’t the issue. Well, he isn’t the main issue. I canhandleAriel. He is a dick, but he is slightly predictable in how he operates.Dani is different….” I looked up at the sky, putting my hands on my hips. “And I love that about her. I love that she is this unpredictable creature that keeps me on my toes, but I can’t help but wish that this situation was easier to read. I wish that it was, well….much more?—”

“Predictable?” My father finished, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Yeah, I guess.”

My father sighed. “You want to give her the world. You would damn near carry it all on your shoulders while she walked ahead of you if you could.” He chuckled. “I felt the same way about your mother and there was a sort of pride in that kind of love, but Nick, there is also pride in understanding that women like Dani, they don’t want you to just hand them the world or show off your muscles and hold it on your shoulders. Theyknowyou can do all that.”

“I think Dimitri shattered her confidence.”

“And I think that hurts worse than any physical scar he could ever leave her with.”

“How do I fix it?”

My father walked over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder and bringing me forward. He tilted his head down so his forehead could touch mine. “You have decided to fall in love with a woman who can fight for herself which means when she’s been pushed down, you help her get back up, but not by instantly taking her in your arms and carrying her. You help her by reminding her of who she is and the kind of power she has. Then and only then can you give her the option to be carried.” He squeezed my shoulder before pulling away.

“She’s not weak.” I was talking to myself, but my father heard me.

“She isn’t.Iknow that andyouknow that. But are you so sure thatsheknows that?”

Words I’d said to her pre-Dimitri’s invasion sprang into my mind.

I’m not going anywhere, Dani. If Lilith or fucking Dimitri find out about you and come here, I’m right here. I want you to be ready, but I also want you to know I’m here even if you falter.

She was faltering, but she was strong enough to remember who she was. And I would be there to make sure she never forgot again.

Ilaughed at something Reese had said, while I fiddled with the arrowhead between my fingers. He leaned his back against Nick’s dresser, speaking with his hands as if that made the story that much more enjoyable for the listener.

The door creaked open and Nick gave us a smile as he entered. The look on his face told me he had something on his mind, but there was also this look of relief. It was like he was happy that what he walked in on was two entities chatting like old friends and not like two enemies.

Reese gave me a small knowing smile before he patted Nick on the shoulder. He was headed for the door when he turned back, resting his hand on the doorknob. “Oh yeah, if you happen to hear anything in the next day or two, don’t worry about it. Dani might have left the room for a few minutes and threatened your ex-girlfriend, but as you can see…” Reese waved his hand around the room, “all good here.”

Nick’s eyes widened in shock. “I’m sorry, what?” He looked over at me.

I shrugged nonchalantly.

He focused back on Reese. “Is Morgan at least okay?” The tone in his voice almost sounded like he was trying not to laugh and keep things serious.

Reese made a disgruntled noise. “Psh, I don’t like her, so I don’t care.” He rolled his eyes, turning to me and winking. The door closed behind him as he stepped out.

Nick let out a loud sigh, shaking his head. His shoulders started to shake from the way he was laughing.

“If it’s any consolation, the worse that happened was she might have pissed her pants. I didn’t break any of her bones, or make her bleed profusely. I’d say I’ve been a very good girl, so she should be thanking me if I’m honest.” I flipped the arrowhead in my palm, peeking up at my boyfriend.

Nick let out one more chuckle before sitting down next to me. “You are predictably unpredictable, you know that?”

I wiggled my eyebrows at him, leaning in to kiss the scar under his eye. “I think she’ll move on from you with ease now. If not, well, death will be my only option for her.” I lifted one of my hands and lightly patted his cheek.

“Hmm.” Nick scanned my face with unbridled adoration. It brought me back to when everything had started, the kind of man he used to be. He had been all rules and no loopholes. The mission was key and side quests weren’t something he gave a second thought towards. This Nick didn’t flinch at my spoken thoughts of violence and I loved him for it.

His eyes flicked down to my palm. “What’s that?”

I held the arrowhead between my fingers. “A borrowed gift from a friend.” The words came out so easily and I had no intention of taking them back. Reese was stuck with me now.

Nick placed his hand gently on my knee. I flinched just a little and I knew he would remove his hand if I asked, but I took a breath and let him caress my skin with his thumb. “I stopped byOculus again on my way back here. Garrett and Leah wanted me to thank you.”

“They already did that when we got back.”

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