Page 69 of Map of Pain
You sure you’re ready for this?
Luka flashed his phone screen at Nick for the third time as they stood outside the elevator that would take them down to the club’s main floor.
Nick nodded.“I’m fine. Ready.”
But hewasn’tfine, and he suspected Luka could read that in his scent or his heartbeat or whatever vampire senses were cataloging his internal state.
He’dspent so long stewing in hatred for their kind, having it beaten into him that vampiresweremonsters, parasites, abominations that corrupted everything they touched.“Never suffer a vampire to live,”Henderson’s voice echoed in his memory, sharp with religious fervor. The training ran bone-deep, and even though his rational mind knew better now, his nervous system still expected fangs and claws and predatory hunger from everyone but Luka.
Luka studied his face, reading something Nick couldn’t hide. Without a word, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a knife—nothing fancy, just a simple folding blade with a worn handle. He slipped it into Nick’s pocket.
«Safe,»Luka said, pointing directly at Nick with a warm smile.
The gesture hit Nick like sunlight breaking through clouds. Notbe carefulordon’t cause trouble, but simplysafe. Like Luka understood that having a weaponwasn’tabout threatening anyone—itwasabout Nick feeling like hehadchoices if things went wrong.
Calm warmth washed over him, replacing the tight anxiety in his chest. Before he could think better of it, Nick leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to Luka’s cheek.
Both of them froze for a moment, surprised by the spontaneous affection. Then Luka’s smile became radiant. The contact felt good. Right. Like something hewasallowedto want and have.
“Okay,”Nick said, meaning it this time.“Let’s go.”
The elevator doors opened onto a scene that made Nick’s throat tighten with memory. Club Euphoria looked different in daylight—less intimate, more exposed—but he remembered being here with Henderson and the other operatives.They’dbeen hunting Marcus and Caleb, following intelligence that suggested several high-value targets might be in the area.
Nick’s palms began to sweat as they stepped into the main area where several figureswerealready gathered around the bar. His eyes cataloged faces, looking for threats, escape routes, defensive positions—
Then Luka made a soft sound of wonder beside him.
Another vampire stood near the back corner, someone Nick recognized from the family photo Lukashowed him. Matteo—Luka’s twin brother.
Luka’s hand brushed against his and Nick nodded, understanding what Lukawasasking. Permission to go to his brother.
“It’s okay,”Nick said, recognizing the longing in Luka’s expression.“Go.”
As Luka moved away, Nick found himself the center of attention. Multiple pairs of eyes focused on him—vampires and humans alike studying a former Society operative who tried to kill at least three of their family. The weight of their collective gaze pressed down on him like a physical force.
Too many. Get down. Get down. They’ll hurt us. Open your mouth and be a good boy.
His knees began to buckle, vision tunneling as the familiar retreat started to claim him. WherewasCaleb? He needed to see his brother, needed an anchor to something real and safe—
“Hey there.”
A warm hand caught his arm, steadying him before he could collapse. Nick flinched at the unexpected touch, but the gripwasgentle, supportive rather than restraining.
“Easy,”the stranger said, voice carrying casual authority mixed with unexpected kindness. “You look like you could use a minute to catch your breath.”
Nick looked up into bright green eyes set in a face that was handsome in an approachable way—messy dark brown hair, a nose thathadbeen broken at least once, and a sly smile that somehow managed to be both reassuring and annoying.
The face clicked into place with startling clarity. Nick’s stomach lurched as recognition hit him.
Adam Nolan.
The kid who used to terrorize Caleb until Nick threatened to break his fingers. The same Adam who Nickhadlater bought pills from behind the gymnasium when his prescription ran out and the pain in his shattered femur wouldn’t quit screaming.
Adamwasstudying Nick’s face with obvious confusion, head tilted as if trying to place him. Then his eyes widened with sudden recognition.
“Holy shit,”Adam said, his grip tightening reflexively on Nick’s arm.“Haven’t you bought drugs from me before?”
The questionwasso blunt, so unexpectedly casual, that Nick almost laughed despite his rising panic. Trust Adam Nolan to lead with the most incriminating possible greeting.
