Page 25 of Nico

"Isaac." My brother gave me a look, the one that usually meant he was about to say something annoyingly reasonable. "I'll be fine,” Logan assured me.

"Logan—" I began.

"There are security personnel all over the set,” Logan pointed out. "Half the cast is going."

"And if someone really is stalking me, they're probably not going to try anything while I'm surrounded by actors, crew members, and plenty of cameras,” Logan added.

I hated that he had a point. Logan had spent years accusing me of being overprotective. According to him, I hovered, micromanaged, and expected disaster around every corner.

More than once, he'd told me I needed to loosen the reins a little and trust that the world wasn't actively trying to kill him. Unfortunately, experience had taught me that sometimes it was.

Still, he wasn't wrong about this. The set was crawling with security personnel. Crew members were everywhere, and his co-stars would be with him.

Rationally, the odds of someone trying anything here, now, in broad daylight, were low. Reluctantly, I nodded.

"I'll be nearby."

"Of course you will," Logan said dryly. He clapped a hand against my shoulder as he walked past.

"Try having a conversation with Nico that isn't about evacuation routes,” Logan added.

"No promises,” I replied.

"Maybe ask him about his hobbies,” Logan added.

"His hobby is Shadowfall."

"Fine. Ask him about his other hobby."

"He has other hobbies?” I asked.

Logan laughed as he disappeared toward the cast tents. I watched him go for several seconds before finally turning toward craft services. If I was checking on Nico anyway, I might as well bring food.

The man had all the survival instincts of an overworked grad student.

Three days earlier I'd walked into his trailer and discovered him surviving entirely on energy drinks and something called "spicy cheese crackers of destiny." I still wasn't entirely sure what that meant.

I picked up two sandwiches and two iced coffees before making my way across the lot. The closer I got to Nico's trailer, the more familiar his scent became.

It was warm and comforting in a way I couldn't explain.

My wolf stirred immediately, interested and attentive, and far too pleased with itself. The trailer door was partially open. I knocked once before stepping inside.

Nico sat surrounded by screens. Six monitors displayed camera feeds from different sections of the set. Another showed social media monitoring software, while a second displayed security alerts.

Several smaller screens showed drone footage and access logs. Cables ran across every available surface.

I had no idea how Nico had managed to fit so much equipment into one trailer. Nico glanced up, and his entire face lit up. The effect hit me harder than it should have.

"Isaac, hey,” he said.

I held up the drinks. "Thought you might've forgotten lunch again,” I told him.

His eyes widened. "You brought food?"

"I noticed a pattern,” I replied.

"First empanadas and now sandwiches and coffee?" He looked suspiciously delighted. Nico narrowed his eyes at me. “Wait. Do you secretly like me?"