Page 210 of Nyx

A shadow moves beside me, but before I can turn, Juliet steps up, filling my line of sight.

"Hey," she whispers as she lifts her hands.

The warmth of her palms on my face calms me in a way I never thought possible. She's all that exists in my world right now, and I know that, despite my earlier decision, I'd give her the world even if she didn't ask for it.

"I didn't think I could stop," I confess, still unsure if it was the right decision.

"But you did," she whispers.

Her eyes shine with fresh tears, and I get the sense that she's well aware of what I'm capable of, and instead of running and seeking safety from me, she steps a few inches closer.

She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine as if I'm her hero. It's the opposite of how my mother looked at me every day after what I did to my father.

"Letting him live is going to be the hardest thing I'll ever do," I whisper.

"I know."

Something grows inside of me, as if this one decision has the ability to plant a seed of healing.

This is what Slick was talking about when she spoke about the things beyond vengeance, a place I never thought I'd see in my lifetime.

We stand in the middle of the parking garage, just looking at each other as if we're somehow seeing each other for the first time and have known each other our entire lives.

People bustle around us, cops flood in, filling the parking garage with flashes of red and blue lights and commands as they get a better idea of what happened.

"She's deceased," someone says, drawing Juliet's attention.

The poor fucking girl.

"Kayla was being manipulated by Graham," Juliet says when she looks back at me.

My body stiffens, and this is one time I hate that I was right about my gut regarding the woman. When Max said that the kid wasn't registered as a patient at the hospital, I knew she was somehow involved.

"She tried to call the police, and he just stabbed her like it was the easiest thing in the world," she says as a tear rolls down her cheek.

I lift my hand and swipe it away with the tip of one finger, only for another one to take its place. I swipe that one away as well, knowing I'll spend my lifetime getting rid of her tears if that's what it takes to help her.

"Her little girl," Juliet whispers.

I pull her to my chest, wrapping my arms around her without considering that it may be something she doesn't want, especially after everything that has happened tonight.

Instead of freezing or trying to pull away, she sinks into my embrace, wrapping her arms around me and holding me tight.

I press my nose into her hair and draw in the scent of her, my heart calming now that she's in my arms.

When I look up, I see a cop all but dragging Whitmore toward the elevator. I don't doubt they have to have his injuries evaluated before he's taken to jail. I also know enough that the local cops, along with Cerberus, won't let him out of their sight until he's behind bars and unable to hurt anyone else.

He glares at me, as if he'd cut my heart out right here in front of everyone if he had the chance.

Instead of sneering back, I give him all the attention he deserves, which is none, as I look back down at Juliet.

She's all that matters.

He's screaming threats against everyone like a raving lunatic as the elevator doors close him, the two cops, Hound, and Shadow inside.

His absence doesn't mean silence. There are swarms of people moving everywhere. Local cops are joined by more official-looking agents.

Whispers of surveillance levels in the parking garage filter through the space, as well as assurances that Graham Whitmore will never see freedom again. They list the local charges, as well as the federal charges he qualifies for, as if the officers are competing to see how many charges they can tag him with. Each comment makes it a little easier to breathe, and it doesn't hurt that she's here in my arms, and actually safe for the very first time in many years.