Page 58 of Nico

“I know.”

“I'm not helpless.”

“I never said you were.”

Every answer felt inadequate. How could I make him understand?

"So what? You want me to hide for one day?” Nico demanded. I nodded and he laughed once. "You want me to take a day off."

"Yes.”

"Because you're worried."

I nodded again and his jaw tightened.

"I don't like it,” Nico said. "I feel like you're benching me."

"I'm trying to keep you alive." The words escaped before I could soften them.

He stared at me, and for a second, I thought I'd finally gotten through to him. Then he shook his head.

"I don't agree." He opened the passenger door. "I'm going home."

“Nico, wait!” This wasn't how I'd imagined this conversation going.

He climbed out and started walking. Something tightened in my chest. I couldn't leave things between us like this.

“Hey, Nico. Wait a darn second.” My voice came out ragged.

He paused, and I caught up in three strides.

My fingers closed around his wrist. He looked back, a questioning look in his eyes. I tugged gently until he stood close enough that I could feel his warmth.

"If anything happens to you..." I could barely get the words out. I leaned nearer until my forehead brushed his. "I don't know what I'll do."

There was no hiding behind walls now, no pretending this was still about security.

His eyes searched mine. His anger slowly unraveled, but it didn't disappear completely. I could live with that, as long as he was safe and understood why I was doing this.

He bit his lower lip. The gesture nearly undid me. "You really mean that."

It wasn't a question. I nodded once.

“I do. So please. Just do this for me.”

He closed his eyes briefly. When they opened again, the frustration remained, but compassion had slipped in beside it.

“Fine, then.” The words sounded reluctant. Nico sighed. “I'll stay out of your fur for one day.”

"Thank you," I whispered.

He squeezed my hand once before letting go. "I'm still not happy about it."

"I understand,” I said. “We'll talk more about this later.”

He gave one short nod, then turned toward the residential area. I watched him walk away, until he disappeared around the corner. Only then did I let myself breathe.

I'd asked him to stay away because it was the safest choice, and I believed that. Every instinct I possessed insisted I'd done the right thing.