Page 218 of Nyx

I hesitate when Juliet pauses, just at the opening to the parking garage.

I'd like nothing more than to shield her eyes so she doesn't have to visually relive the things that took place here tonight, but I don't make a move. I protected her from Whitmore, but this isn't something I can keep her from seeing now that we've taken a step inside.

I internally chastise myself for not texting someone to meet us outside as Kincaid spots us and heads this way.

"It seems so unfamiliar," she whispers. "Like I've never stepped inside this parking garage before until now."

"That's your body's way of trying to protect you," I assure her.

"I'm going to have nightmares," she says, turning her eyes to look up at me.

I nod, knowing I will as well, as my head tries to work through all the shit that could've gone wrong and how my decision to stop will ultimately end in her death.

I swallow as I lift my eyes from her and angle them toward my boss.

"Can we grab one of the SUVs?" I ask as he steps in front of us.

"Of course," Kincaid says, reaching into his pocket.

"Her car," I tell him. "And my bike?"

"If you have keys, we can get both back to the clubhouse," he assures me.

I reach into my pocket as Juliet digs into the pocket of the sweatpants she’s now wearing, and we each hand our keys over as Kincaid hands me the keys to the SUV.

"Has anyone checked on Aleah?" Juliet asks.

Kincaid briefly looks in my direction before he turns his full attention back to her.

"Aleah is at her foster parents' home. She's healthy."

"She was never sick."

Kincaid gives her a sad smile as he shakes his head.

Juliet sighs, as if she had deduced this herself but just wanted confirmation.

"It was all a lie to get me here," she mutters as she swipes at a tear rolling down her cheek.

"It looks that way," Kincaid says.

"And Kayla's connection to Graham?"

"We don't know yet," Kincaid answers. "It's something we're working on."

"She asked me so many personal questions the second she arrived," Juliet explains. "I think he got to her before she ever showed up at Juniper House."

"It's very likely," Kincaid says as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. "I want to apologize."

"Apologize?" she whispers, her brow scrunching in confusion.

"We vetted her, like we do everyone else. We must have missed something. This never should've happened."

Juliet immediately shakes her head.

"You're not responsible for Graham's actions. You can't blame yourself for what happened."

Kincaid takes half a step back as he considers her words.