Page 153 of Nyx

"I feel like everyone is making sacrifices for me, and it doesn't seem fair," I manage, my voice low and full of shame.

"We'd do the same for anyone who needed the help."

I look up, my eyes glued to his, and I know he believes what he's saying, but I don't know that they'd go to the same extremes they seem to be going to for me.

I'm not special.

My story isn't special.

Too many women have gone through the same, some much worse.

I'm not going to say that I'm ungrateful. I'm not. I feel so very lucky to be the one they're going to such lengths to protect, but at what cost? What would be expected of me down the road?

I know it's unlikely I'll get a bill in the mail for services rendered, but who helps someone this much and expects nothing in return?

I don't get the feeling that Nyx expects anything from me other than taking his advice and staying here, so I'm the safest they can make me.

Maybe I'm projecting my past trauma on my current situation, and that doesn't seem fair either. I just don't want to get blindsided down the road as I have been in the past.

"I'll stay tonight," I tell him, smiling softly when he releases a rush of air like he thought I'd argue more than I have. "I don't know about tomorrow."

He nods as if he expected the response.

"Hypothetically," he begins. "If all the women agree to come, will you stay longer?"

I pull in a deep breath, considering the question.

"What will be said to them?"

"What do you mean?"

"Will they be told my psycho ex is in town, and they're being moved here so I'll stay?"

His face is blank for a brief moment, as if he wants to argue that's the reason entirely, but we both know better. If Graham hadn't been at the park earlier, I would be wrapping up the fundraiser with Victoria and heading back to the shelter. After things were cleared away, I'd be going to my apartment, waiting for Graham to do something, only for it to trigger this very same conversation at a later time.

"This recommendation was made before Whitmore showed his face today," he says, in a very diplomatic way. "They will not be told that this has anything to do with your ex. Victoria is not going to go back to the shelter and gossip about what happened. No one will know."

I pull in yet another deep breath.

"And if we were making this decision based on something going on with someone else, there's a very good chance you wouldn't know the full truth either. We do our best to respect and protect everyone's privacy," he assures me, and adding that statement makes me feel a little better.

Movement across the room draws my attention, making Nyx look over his shoulder as well.

Kincaid looks in our direction, and all the man does is dip his head slightly before walking into the kitchen.

Nyx looks even more serious when he turns his attention back to me.

"The decision has been made," he says. "The shelter is moving here."

"You know all that just from that one little dip of his head?" I challenge.

He gives me a slight smile. "Yes."

"You guys have your own language," I mutter, my pulse kicking up in a way that makes me wonder if I'm nervous about this decision being made or if I'm excited.

"I guess we do. How do you feel about all of this?"

"I'm a little overwhelmed," I answer honestly.