Page 154 of Lost
Nico stares at him before he takes a deep breath to pull back his anger. It almost feels as if I’m standing too close to a flamethrower instead of a single candle.
“It was a mistake to attempt to derail your evening,” he says formally. “After suffering so much, you deserve to heal in peace. I apologize for the misstep again. I won’t intrude on your life again, and I’ll do my best to clean up both my father’s and my organization’s mess.”
“No one should have their innocence taken from them,” I whisper. “All I ask is that you take care of those who had that happen to them. Who knows how old they may be now…”
Nico turns green, struggling to keep himself from puking. “God, I’m so sorry. It just gets worse every time you open your mouth, doesn’t it?”
“Nova is censoring herself for your benefit, fuck nugget,” Tyde says. “I know Hollis had to have given you the rundown of what a piece of shit the man your father employed was. Does hearing it from a survivor make it worse?”
“So much worse,” he rasps. “I have a face to haunt my dreams now.”
“Good,” Tyde says. “We need to be getting home, and it looks like you have a long drive back.”
“What he’s surprisingly too polite to say is that you need to get the fuck out of my city before I have to report this to the Senior Mafia Families,” Caleb adds. “Unless you’re looking for a war?”
“No. I’ll be shedding more than enough blood as I clean up my father’s mess,” Nico sighs. “Goodbye, Nova. I’m glad you have a pack to protect you from how dangerous the world is.”
I watch as he turns and walks away, and Caleb and Lars hustles us into the SUV as soon as they deem it safe. The firearms return to wherever they were before, and I lean against Tyde in the backseat because I need something solid to hold onto.
Having glimpses of my past popping back up isn’t going to be great for my dreams tonight.
“Are you staying the night?” I ask, my voice cracking.
“Yes,” Caleb and Lars say at the same time.
“We got you, baby,” Tyde promises.
This time, I believe them.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Three weeks later
Late February
NOVA
I keep having to remind myself that I have an actual village now. Things have moved so quickly that my head is spinning, and I’m just a couple of days away from the charity event that will benefit Little Feet, Big Dreams Center. I want to be able to also have childhood development courses, sexual education, and be able to offer women’s biyearly exams at the center.
This dream started small, and has gotten very big, very quickly. We’re currently at Finnegan’s Bar planning before he opens, and we’re almost done.
“Food is being donated, as is booze,” Aisling murmurs, checking it off on her check list.
“The invites have been returned with those attending,” Hollis adds. “I’ll make up a list of those who are confirmed so you can give it to whoever is checking people in.”
“That’ll most likely be Augustine,” Wren says. I’ve heard that she doesn’t usually leave her home, but she had her alphas bring her over so she could help with the final planning. “We will also have security through Duncan Kelly’s company.”
“Entertainment is also covered. I’m kind of excited to watch Linus perform,” I admit.
“He didn’t tell you?” Hollis asks, chuckling. “Quinn insisted on being there as well. She and Linus taught the other dancers the performance.”
“She’s… shit,” I mutter, thinking over her last few appointments with me. Quinn found herself having her much needed energy boost recently, and no longer suffers from nausea. “Sorry, I went into work mode. Quinn is fine.”
“I love that you’re her midwife,” Aisling says. “I can’t imagine anyone else supporting her through this pregnancy. It’s been a rough one.”
“It has,” I agree. “She’s been wanting to dance and perform, but growing a baby is hard work.”
My sister zones out for a moment before shaking herself out of it. I wonder if she wants kids or if she’s talked about it with her pack.
