Page 228 of Nyx

I don't know how anyone else would respond to this news. I've wanted him gone for so long, but last night, given the opportunity to watch that happen, I stopped Nyx from carrying through with it, and that wasn't to save Graham. It was because Nyx going to jail for murder would just be one more thing Graham was able to hurt me with.

Before I can stop it, a bubble of laughter escapes my throat.

I clap my hands over my mouth, eyes wide as I look around the room.

Every eye is locked on me, and I know that response wasn't expected.

"Sorry," I mutter once I calm myself a little.

"Don't apologize," Nyx growls. "So do we give Glenn Pace a medal or something?"

More laughter fills the room, and even Agent Rankin breaks his professional composure and smiles.

"No, Mr. Crowe. That's not how the justice system works, but that does answer Juliet's question. No, Mr. Pace will not be getting custody of Aleah. We have been able to track down Kayla's sister, who will work through the process to obtain custody of her. After looking at the woman's file, I think Aleah will have a happy life with her."

"I was going to ask if I would have to testify against Graham," I say, this entire morning seeming so surreal.

"If this morning's incident didn't happen, yes, we would've asked, but now it won't be necessary."

I nod my head in understanding. "Is that all?"

"It is," he says. "Thank you for your time."

When I stand, I feel lighter than I have ever felt in my life. I know there's a chance this news may hit me differently later, but right now I want to ride the high of knowing Graham Whitmore is gone, and there's nothing else he can do to hurt me.

"His family," I say before I walk toward the conference room door. "What if they come after me?"

"We're monitoring all of them," Kincaid assures me. "But from what we have gathered recently, they weren't very impressed with his obsession with you, and they were already taking steps to remove him from the family business."

"This is going to make the news," I realize. "They'll know where I am."

Kincaid shakes his head. "We'll handle it. I promise."

I give him a grateful smile, knowing he's a man of his word.

Chapter 55

Nyx

I don't even know how to feel about the news that was delivered in that fucking meeting.

Whitmore’s dead. Gone. No longer an issue. At first, I was mad that someone else got the chance to take him out, but as the day continued, I realized that who killed him didn't matter, so long as he was no longer a problem for Juliet.

Then it dawned on me that with him no longer around, she had no reason to stay here. She could easily go back to her apartment, or hell, even leave the state and finally settle down and start her life all over again, building something she knew she'd never have to run from again.

I pulled her to my chest the second we stepped back in her room, and I held her there as she cried. I didn't question the tears.

I didn't know if they were of pain, relief, or just the crash that was inevitable after all that had happened.

She looked exhausted when I took a step back, and gladly took me up on the offer to get back in bed and get some rest.

I didn't join her, and when I told her I had some things to take care of, she didn't argue.

She's been in her room all day, and although I've stuck my head in a couple of times to check on her, I found myself avoiding her because I know a conversation about her plans is coming, and I'm trying to postpone her leaving for as long as I can manage.

I look down at the plate in my hand just outside of her room.

She didn't want breakfast or lunch, and I don't know how this offer is going to go either, but she's going to have to eat something at some point.