Page 155 of Dream Chaser

I tipped my head back and closed my eyes, trying not to think of her in pain. “Of course. But it’s going to be late.”

A beat of silence, then she said, “Whatever you did, thank you.”

“Nova.”

“Yes?”

“I’d do anything for you. And I never need you to thank me for that. Go to bed, amor.”

***

Two hours later, Nova opened the door, wearing a short black nightdress. One glance at her swollen face, and the rage returned, flooding my blood.

“It looks worse than it feels, Ale,” she said. Then she slipped her arms around my waist, and I returned the embrace, stroking her hair.

“I hate what he did to you. We’ll go to the police in the morning.” Going near Nova after my visit would be dumb on Preston Marshall’s part, but he didn’t strike me as smart.

“I’ve already done that,” Nova said. “They can’t do much without witnesses, but I still had to try. He’s used to getting away with anything, but I wanted him to pay for what he did.”

“He will.” My lips feathered over her injured cheek. “Unless he’s okay with his political career ending before it begins.”

Her questioning gaze roamed my face.

“Let’s sit,” I said. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

We settled on the living room couch. Nova pressed a cushion to her chest, waiting for me to speak.

“I went to Millford,” I started.

She tilted her head to the side. “I figured. Now you know what I meant when I said it was tiny.”

I stroked her bare knee with my thumb. “I do, amor. I found your ex at the diner. Wanted to fucking end him for what he did to you.”

Nova’s fingers covered mine. “I know. But he’s not worth the trouble you might get into. For whatever reason, he can’t accept that I moved on, but I did. I’ll never go back to him, Ale.”

Nodding, I laced our fingers. “I hired a PI. Preston Marshall is involved in some shady shit with a group of developers. He promised them agricultural land in Millford in exchange for money for his campaign.”

Nova snorted. “Seriously? And he still lost. That must’ve been why he hit me. He’s never been good at not getting what he wants.”

“He hit you because he’s a piece of shit, Nova,” I said. “But if he has any brains, he’ll set you free.”

Hope flickered in Nova’s blue eyes. “I…” She swallowed. “I don’t know what to say, Ale. Private investigators are expensive. I’ll pay you back.”

“No,” I said. “I did it because I want you to be free from him. And I can’t promise you he’ll make the right choice, either. But if he doesn’t in two weeks, we’ll go to court.”

She smoothed her nail over a corner of the cushion, her eyes downcast. “Yeah. I already told Edward to revoke the settlement offer. Preston won’t get a cent of my money. If court is the only option, then so be it. I won’t stay married to an abuser.”

“I’m proud of you,” I said. “I know none of this is easy.”

Nova shrugged. “It would’ve been way harder if I’d stayed with him. Can I ask you a favor?”

“Anything.”

“I want to go check on my grandma’s house tomorrow since I can’t show up at the office like this, anyway. I’m worried about the windows. I need to change the locks too.”

I beckoned her, and once she scooted closer, I wrapped her in my arms, tenderness flooding my chest. “I’ll go with you,” I said, pressing my lips to her forehead.

She smiled, getting comfortable in my arms. “That was the favor I wanted to ask.”