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She nods in agreement.
I think about the funeral and add, “Please keep an eye on him. He’s been holding it together all day, but when reality starts sinking in…”
“I will. Don’t worry, Adam. We’ll take care of your son like he’s our own.”
I know they will. She and Sazuki put a lot of importance on family and I’m grateful I have people like them to bail me out in times of crisis.
When it came to the company, I easily relied on Nova. But when it came to personal matters, I preferred to do things myself rather than inconvenience someone else.
Sazuki and Dejonae are teaching me a new lesson—that being a part of something bigger than just me, my lab and my company means having the option to ask for help with my most precious matters.
I hang up and check my watch. Hopefully, we can finish up here before it gets too late so I can tuck Rowan in tonight. I think he’ll need that.
The elevator doors spread apart.
Nova steps off.
I start to follow her when she lifts a hand to stop me.
My eyebrows arch. “What are you doing?”
“I’ll take care of this. You should pick up Rowan from Sazuki’s house and take him to the manor.”
“We just got an update. Rowan’s safe with Dejonae for now,” I argue.
“Of course he is. I’m not denying that. But you should still go.”
“No way,” I say, my lips tightening. Nova’s days of carrying the weight of the company on her small shoulders are over. I may not be as good at managing a business, but I plan to step it up so she can rely on me more.
“Adam.”
“Nova.”
We stare at each other, sharing a battle of words all without opening our mouths.
Nova breaks first. “Lyra’s my sister. This is my mess to clean up. Not yours.”
“That’s bull, Nova. This is our mess.”
“I can handle it alone.” She tilts her head, her braids skittering over her shoulders.
“Just because youcan,doesn’t mean you should.” Why the hell does she have to be so stubborn all the time? “I’m not letting you shoulder this by yourself.”
“Fine. I’ll call the other directors to help out. Heck, I could call Rochelle and the other HR people. Anyone can do this job. But not anyone can be a father to Rowan. There’s only one Adam and right now, the one who needs you most is your son.”
“Dejonae said he’s fine.”
She rolls her eyes. “Even if he’s sad, he’s not going to show it in front of Niko. He’ll wear a mask all night if he has to.”
Nova has a point, but I’m still apprehensive about leaving her here alone. “What if the crew Lyra worked with is a part of a larger gang? What if they hear about the foiled plan and try to storm this place?”
“Okay, let’s turn down the wild, inventor imagination and look at this logically.” Nova smirks, but not even her gorgeous smile can calm me. “If I know Lyra, she chose people who were just as selfish and short-sighted as her. I doubt anyone is coming for me or Vision Tech. Besides, the police are here and all the security guards are on alert too. Who would be stupid enough to storm this place?” When I still look unconvinced, she adds, “I’m probably safer here than I am anywhere else.”
I’m still reluctant and it must show on my face because Nova steps toward me. She stops right on top of the elevator threshold so the doors don’t close.
“I know you’re worried about me. I know you think I’m pretending to be strong, but I’m okay.”
“I hate those words.”
