Page 148 of Nyx

"That's a very kind thing to say. It takes a long time to recover from abuse, but with the right people in your corner, it's very possible."

"Lovey!"

We both turn to see Amelia running into the kitchen.

"Momma said you're gonna get me a cotton candy machine!"

"Did she?" Emmalyn says with a wide grin, telling me that the woman will definitely be getting her one.

Amelia narrows her eyes, crossing her tiny arms over her chest.

"What's that look for, little miss?"

"I should've gone to Pop first," she says.

"And you think Pop would buy you one?" Emmalyn asks her.

"Pop buys me everything I want," she says, assurance in her tone.

"That he does," Emmalyn agrees. "Why do you think that is?"

Amelia stands a little taller before she speaks, as if reciting something she has heard every day of her life.

"Princesses should be given the world if that's what they want."

"No truer words," Emmalyn says. "And since I'm a princess, too, grab the paper plates from the cabinet and help Lovey set the table."

The little girl doesn't put up a fuss. She simply gets to work helping where she can.

Chapter 37

Nyx

I feel nervous and twitchy sitting in the conference room, and I know some of it stems from what happened at the park, and Kincaid stopping me from ensuring her safety for the rest of her life.

A lot of the anxiousness bubbling inside of me also has a lot to do with not having her in my line of sight.

She's never been safer than she is now on Cerberus property, but I feel like I need to physically see her to make sure she stays that way.

I want her by my side, my eyes on her twenty-four-seven, and as unhealthy as I know that can be, it doesn't stop me from feeling the way I do.

Historically, I've always gotten women to safety, taken care of their abusers, and moved on with my life.

I was always able to move on to the next thing that was asked of me.

I'm not going to say that some cases haven't come back to haunt me on occasion, but Juliet and what she's going through are just somehow different for me, and I don't know how to manage all the emotions that come along with it.

Whitmore being in the park today feels like a personal violation, not just a way for him to get in Juliet's head.

"The shelter is secure," Kincaid says to start the meeting. "We have six guys on Juniper House and another two on Juliet's apartment to see if Whitmore decides to go there."

"And what happens if he's found walking around her apartment complex?" I ask, the words coming out in a growl, but I already know what his answer will be before the words come from his mouth.

Kincaid pauses before speaking as he looks at me. They already know what my solution would be. I know how outside of Cerberus's values my ideas on the situation are, but it doesn't change what I feel should happen.

They'd never condone just outright gunning someone down, even if they all think that would be the best solution.

"If he doesn't try to break in or cause a problem, then I don't think making contact with him serves a purpose," Kincaid explains.