Page 154 of Nyx

"Things will go very quickly," he says. "Accommodations will be made, and Cerberus moves fast with this sort of thing. Less chance of things going sideways."

As if he spoke them into existence, the front door opens, and a line of men walks through.

Two are carrying twin-sized mattresses, while several others carry bed frames and headboards. It's clear these are for Daisy and Dean.

"I'm going to go help," he says. "I'd guess that the women will work through packing and such tonight, and they'll be moved here tomorrow morning."

"My things?" I ask. "Back at my apartment?"

"We'll make sure someone gets them," Emmalyn says as she steps up, catching my question. "I wanted to talk to you about logistics."

"You good?" Nyx asks as he stands.

I give him a nod. It's the only thing I can manage right now.

With Cerberus controlling the shelter's financing and security, I guess they don't have to go through a board of trustees like many other places do, which could take days, if not weeks, to reach final decisions.

"I'll be around if you need me," he says before walking away.

"Logistics?" I ask Emmalyn, not wanting to lose momentum. It would give me too much time to try and make different decisions, ones that may not be the best for me in this situation.

"We have five rooms down the hall to the left over there," she says, pointing as I stand. "They're already empty, which makes things so much easier. The guys stay in the new addition because the rooms are just a bit bigger. The hall to the right is also empty, and I was wondering if it would be okay if you took one of those rooms?"

"Of course," I quickly agree, not wanting to be any more of an inconvenience than I already am.

"Perfect," she says. "The left hallway will be a safe zone, no different from the house. No one from Cerberus will go in that area. They shouldn't have any reason to go in the other hallway either, but we're not limiting it either."

The way she watches me makes me wonder where her mind goes when she sees me.

"Sounds good," I tell her, knowing I'm far enough along in my recovery journey that just the sight of a man I can identify doesn't make me want to curl up in the corner.

I also know enough about them to know that if they are told they can't go somewhere, then they won't. They've proven themselves enough.

"Do you have a preference on who packs your apartment?" Emmalyn asks as she guides me toward the right hallway.

"No," I tell her. "It's only my personal effects. I didn't buy any of the furnishings."

"The women have been instructed to pack," Emmalyn says as she points down the hallway. "Do you have a preference?"

I shake my head, grateful when she doesn't pick the first room in the hallway but the second one.

"I'll get you a key to this room. We have a master, of course, but no one will come in here uninvited," she says as she opens the door and steps to the side. "This is the room Diego put me in right after I left Colorado."

The room is nice, but simple. There's a king-sized bed, a dresser on the far wall, and bedside tables. The open door to the closet reveals the spacious area. I haven't had enough clothes to fill a space like it in over a decade.

"If you need anything specific, just let us know," she says as I walk to the center of the room and take a look around.

"This is wonderful. Thank you."

It's more than I've expected from a living area for a very long time.

"Bathroom is over there. No tub, but there is a walk-in shower. Do you prefer a tub?"

I shake my head with a quick laugh. "A shower is perfect."

I spin around once more, just taking it in. The linens look decadent. The window blinds don't have so much as a speck of dust on them.

"I'm so grateful for you and Cerberus," I say when I turn back to face her, my tone soft. I'm fighting the urge to get emotional.