Page 83 of Nyx

"That concerns me," I offer.

She scoffs again.

"Me too. I'm terrified to leave here. Do you think they'd be okay if I stayed in one of the empty rooms?"

"Will you be more comfortable here than at home with your own things?"

She shakes her head. "But I don't know that I'll be comfortable anywhere."

"If you want to stay, I can make that happen," I assure her. "If you'd rather be at home, I'll follow right behind you and make sure no one even walks past your apartment tonight."

She shakes her head. "That's asking too much."

"Two things," I begin. "One, you're not asking, and two, even if you told me not to, regardless of whether you stay here or go home, I'm still going to be right outside."

"You don't mind?" she asks. I was certain she'd reject all of it flat-out like she did last night.

Her words make me realize just how terrified she is.

"I don't mind at all," I tell her. "If it’s okay with you, I would like to make sure your apartment is secure before you enter, especially since you keep very limited access to your phone and that song still got on there somehow."

"You think that's necessary?"

"I think it's smart. I don't want to send you into a situation where you think you're safe. I'd like to guarantee that you are."

She nods her head. "Okay. You'll be right behind me?"

"I will," I assure her. "Take whichever route you had planned for this evening."

She watches my face for a few seconds longer before turning back to her car.

I don't say a word as she goes through her tradition of looking under and in before unlocking it and taking a seat behind the wheel.

I crank my bike when she cranks her car, pulling right in behind her when she pulls away from the curb.

To my surprise, she doesn't take an out-of-the-way route to get back to her apartment. Each turn of her car is precise, taking the straightest, fastest route home.

I climb off my bike in the parking lot, and she waits until I'm at her door before she unlocks it and steps back.

"I really appreciate Cerberus's help," she says. Even though I don't correct her, I remind myself that I'm performing a duty right now, something that any member would do if she needed the help.

The idea of someone else walking with her to her apartment and waiting for her to unlock the door so they can check the inside makes my skin crawl, a hint of jealousy and possessiveness hitting me like a ten-ton brick right in the center of my chest.

I shove that feeling down, telling myself I'll analyze it later as I step around her, keeping myself in front of her.

"Don't be afraid," I say as I reach back and pull out my gun. "Just in case."

"Why does the sight of that make me wish he was inside?" she says with a frown.

A grin I can't control and don't try to stop spreads across my face.

"Stay right behind me," I say. "Close and lock the door the second we're inside, and stay right there."

She nods, my eyes drifting to her throat when she swallows.

"You're perfectly safe," I say.

"Are you?" she asks quickly.