Page 138 of Nyx

I'm never going to get a break from this man. It's his life's mission to ruin my life.

"Can you keep me safe?" I ask.

"Of course," he says without hesitation.

"I'd like to go," I say. "I told Victoria I would be there."

"Then we go," he says. "Will you at least ride with me to the park?"

"Yes," I tell him, watching the relief wash over his face.

I laugh, loving the way his eyes sparkle when he hears it. The way he watches me makes me feel like he has something to offer me that I've been missing for as long as I've been alive. I know that getting tangled up with anyone is not a good idea, but there's still a part of me, a low hum right on the surface of my skin, that longs to feel another human's touch, one that doesn't come with pain, fear, or abuse.

I've got it in my mind that he would take care of me in ways I can't begin to imagine, but I also know that it's a horrible idea.

"Did you think I would argue?" I say as I pull my eyes from him and walk toward the door.

I swear if we turned out the lights, we'd be able to see sparks and lightning all around us.

"I didn't know," he says. "I figured you could just as easily insist on driving yourself."

"You told me to tell you if I need anything or want something, to just ask for it," I remind him. "I'd like you to do the same for me."

"You've had enough people control your life," he says as he opens the front door without checking the peephole. "I don't want to be just one more person controlling you."

"Maybe," I say as we step outside and I turn back to lock the door, "you can make your requests with an explanation, so I don't get all in my head wondering what your intentions are."

"Like?" he asks, his eyes scanning the area between the apartment and the parking lot.

"Say, I was hoping you'd ride with me because parking will be limited, or riding with me would be healthier for the earth."

He keeps his eyes roaming when he speaks again.

"Riding with me will be safer if something happens," he says, pausing outside the black SUV.

I nod, knowing he could've kept it lighthearted, but he also wants me to know that the potential for danger is there today.

After I climb into the SUV, Nyx chats with the other guys for a minute before climbing in behind the driver's seat.

"All is well?"

"It is," he says. "A quiet night at all locations."

I pull in a deep breath as he backs out of the parking spot.

I'm nervous. I'm not so brave that I don't understand what I could be facing, but I've spent years clouded with worry every second of every day. Maybe today isn't the most ideal time to shore up some courage, but I know I have to start at some point.

When we pull into the parking lot of the park and I see the two rows of black SUVs parked in the closest spots to the sidewalk, that courage compounds.

There are so many Cerberus members here. It's not only Nyx and a couple of guys keeping me safe. There are dozens here, keeping us all safe.

The park is already bustling with activity, making me feel like I'm late even though I'm fifteen minutes earlier than when I told Victoria I would arrive.

Nyx leans forward and grabs a piece of paper from the dash before handing it to me.

"This is a map of the entire event," he says. "You're going to be here. This is the booth for the Anchor House organization."

He points to a spot on the map.