Page 110 of Nyx

I'm not a hateful person, but his tone implies that asking him if he wants something to eat seems out of character for me.

"Any preferences?"

He shakes his head. "I'm like a garbage disposal. I'll eat just about anything. I'll let you know what base decides."

"I don't plan on sleeping," I advise him. "Let me know if there's so much as a piece of trash floating near her apartment tonight."

"Will do," he says, rolling his window back up as I walk away.

I place the food order and head back to her front door, waiting outside until she's done with her shower.

I hate that she was reluctant to ask me to step out.

I hate that there might be something about me or my personality that makes her cautious to ask for what she needs.

It may be a trauma response that she hasn't worked through, and if that's the case, then I have no right to just wave it away and make excuses.

I'd also never confront her about it because she has every right to feel the way she does, and she needs to know that it's okay to ask for what she wants, with the full expectation that she'll get it without any punishment attached.

Chapter 28

Juliet

I know Nyx said that Max confirmed that Graham accessed my music app remotely, but the flower delivery terrifies me even more.

It's proof that he knows exactly where I am.

That fear makes me take the fastest shower known to man, and I don't even wash my hair because of how vulnerable I am in the shower.

I towel off and dress quickly, needing the security of my clothes in case something happens.

A part of me knows that the guys from Cerberus can keep me safe, but there's still that whisper in the back of my head that knows Graham will stop at nothing to get to me.

He has had years to plan and figure out the best way to seek his revenge.

I doubt he planned on Cerberus being involved, but I know that won't stop him.

His ego, that part of him that always has to win, won't let him give up.

And that terrifies me the most.

"If it were up to me, I would've tracked him down a week ago and put a bullet in his head."

His words from earlier play on a constant loop in my head.

He seemed serious, as if he'd do something so violent just to end my worry, but I can't imagine what doing something like that can do to a person.

I've run scenarios through my head about how I could put a stop to the terror I feel every day, but I don't know that I could actually go through with it. Taking someone's life can't be that simple.

You don't only have to consider what it would do to your mental health. The legal repercussions are a huge deterrent.

I don't know what's worse—living all these years in fear, running when the wind blows the wrong way, or sitting in a jail cell.

I think some people could justify the actions for me, but him risking that for someone he barely knows? There's no way I could be okay with him getting punished just to keep me safe.

I swipe my hand over the mirror, clearing the condensation, and just stare at myself for a moment, wondering what others see when they look at me.

Do people walking down the street see an exhausted woman, someone who has been dealt more than their fair share of hardships?