Page 152 of Nyx

"You'd think they haven't eaten in a week," Em says with a laugh as she heads in that direction.

"Wanna talk on the sofa?" I ask, pointing in that direction.

I don't know exactly where this conversation is going, but I have the feeling that I'll need to be sitting down.

"That's fine," he says, and I try not to feel a little disappointed when he sits across from me on one sofa instead of beside me on the one I chose.

"I'd like you to stay here tonight," he says with no segue into the conversation.

"Just tonight?" I ask, wanting clarification.

"Well," he says, his hand rubbing over the top of his head, and I noticed before that he does that when he's unsure of how his next statement may be taken.

"I think it's best if you move in here," he says.

"Move in?" I scoff, the idea too ridiculous to consider.

"It's safer," he says, his tone matter-of-fact.

He's not wrong. It would be safer for me to be here, but I know Graham will get to me no matter what.

"It is," I agree, not wanting him to think I would ever argue the point. "But I'd still have to go to work."

"We're in talks about possibly moving the women here," he says, his eyes darting between mine as if he's trying to gauge my reaction to the idea.

"For me?" I ask, shaking my head.

Upending everyone's lives just for me seems insane.

"Census is down," he explains. "Logistically, it makes more sense for them to be here."

"When would that happen?"

"Very quickly after the final decision is made."

"And if they don't want to come?"

"Then they stay, and we do what we've always done. We'll protect Juniper House. I don't want you to worry about that aspect of it."

"I work at Juniper House," I remind him.

"Are you saying that because you'll leave and go to work each day if anyone decides not to come here?"

I consider the question, the idea of leaving anytime soon, making the hairs stand up on the back of my neck in fear of what could happen the second I leave the front gate.

"I'm not saying that," I answer, my eyes dropping to my hands in my lap. "This is a lot to consider right now."

"I'm not trying to rush your thought process or force you into making a decision you'll regret later, but I think at a minimum you should greatly consider at least staying here overnight tonight."

"What about the women at the shelter?" I ask, knowing I have to consider myself and them in this situation. "I wouldn't put it past Graham to do something there to try and draw me out or as some form of retaliation when he can't get to me."

"They're protected," he assures me again.

I know Cerberus is very capable, but I also know just how ruthless Graham can be when things don't go his way.

My hands start to tremble when I think back to what happened today.

My ex-husband just stared at me from across the park, and it was enough to send my entire body into fight-or-flight mode. Even now, knowing I'm safe, I'm still riddled with fear of what happens next.