Page 105 of Nyx

"Yes," I say. "Good evening."

"We have news about Graham Whitmore," Kincaid begins. "I felt it best to have this conversation here because some decisions need to be made."

I shift in my chair, just the sound of his name triggering unwelcome reactions in my body.

"What news?"

"I don't know how much you followed his incarceration—"

"I didn't," I say, interrupting Kincaid. "Not at all."

"I figured that might be the case," Kincaid says. "Whitmore was released from prison eighteen months ago."

The news hits me square in the chest, making it hard to breathe.

"He was released on parole, and we have kept our eyes on him since the day we found out," Kincaid says, but there's no assurance I can read in his voice.

"He went for a parole meeting this morning. We found out he was discharged from parole," Shadow continues. "He walked out a different door than he had gone in and left his car in the parking lot."

"So you don't know where he is?" I ask, my voice trembling as much as my hands do.

"No," Kincaid says. "We don't."

"He hasn't purchased a plane, bus, or train ticket. He hasn't chartered a private jet or rented a car. He hasn't used a credit or debit card since early this morning before his meeting," Max says.

"We'd recommend you stay here until we can track him down," Kincaid says.

"No," I say immediately.

Losing him when they were paying so much attention to his every move just proves how successful Graham can be at getting exactly what he wants.

I know what I have to do, and that can't happen if I'm locked inside their property.

Graham will always win. He will always find me, but not running feels like giving up.

I can't just sit and wait for him to get me. I have to keep fighting.

"I can't control what you do," Kincaid says. "But I would urge you not to run."

I jerk my eyes to him, hating that I'm so transparent that it's almost as if the man can read my mind.

"We can offer you all the protection you need, whether it be at your apartment or here, but we can't keep you safe if you leave," he continues.

"We can have someone escort you to and from work," Shadow adds. "Keep someone outside your apartment at all times."

As much as it feels like I'm giving up control of my life, I know just how dangerous things can be if I didn't have their help.

"Thank you," I say. "Can I make a request?"

"Of course," Kincaid says. "We want you as comfortable as possible, living the least restrictive life we can manage until we solve this issue."

"Can Nyx be the one looking after me?"

Kincaid smiles. It's faint, but I can see that the request doesn't put him out at all.

"Yes," he agrees. "But he can't work seven days a week. So there will be times it has to be someone else."

"Is there a second person you'd feel more comfortable with?" Shadow asks. "To be there when Nyx is off duty?"