Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Knowing that Nyx is looking after me doesn't feel smothering. It feels like a warm blanket covering my skin on a chilly morning.
It's comfort and assurance.
He has my back, and there's something about that that makes me feel a little braver and protected. The weight on my chest isn't as heavy when he's around, and unfortunately, I know it's something I could easily get used to.
That is the problem. I shouldn't come to depend on him because one day this job will be over for him.
"That's Colton Matthews," Victoria says.
"He's Cerberus also?"
"Nope. He's a detective with the local police department. Married to Kincaid's niece."
"You know all the Cerberus members?" I ask, reluctantly pulling my eyes from him and back to her.
"Not personally, but I know them by sight," she says. "They all kind of stick out."
"Don't motorcycle clubs wear leather vests or something?" I ask, looking around, trying to find the men who stick out.
I can see what she means. Many people are walking around, and despite wearing regular clothes, some just seem to carry themselves differently.
They seem more attentive, more focused on what's going on around them.
"They do sometimes," she answers, handing me the end of a tablecloth so we can spread it on our table. "They don't tend to wear them at events like this. Some people in the community don't have the most positive opinions of the club."
"Did they do something wrong?"
"Never," she says as she pulls a box from a rolling cart, placing it on the table.
I help pull the pamphlets out and begin loading them into a rack on the table.
"People chatter, and of course, the criminals in town talk trash. That sort of thing. You'll never meet better people than the ones connected to the club," she assures me.
"All the ones I've met are really nice."
"Kincaid wouldn't have it any other way. He holds them to a very high standard."
"Yet you wouldn't date one of them?"
She shakes her head, a light laugh escaping. "I like my freedom too much. The women never go anywhere without an armed escort. Don't get me wrong, they're treated like Goddesses. They don't want for a single thing, ever."
"Sounds horrible," I say with a grin.
She laughs again. "As I said, it's an acquired lifestyle."
We continue to work on the booth, getting our table and signage set up, along with the small face-painting area meant to draw in kids so they have something to do while a parent may need to speak to us about resources.
People start filtering into the park early, before the event is even scheduled to start, but I love the activity surrounding me.
Kids laugh, parents chat, and everyone seems to be having a great time.
Nyx is looking in my direction every time I glance over at him, and it gives me the confidence to relax a little, knowing he's right there if I need anything.
So many people come up to us, and everyone who is connected to the club, Victoria introduces to me as if there's a reason I should know all of them by name and face.
We haven't had anyone come up and ask for help directly, but we have had a few ask for pamphlets and contact information.
As the day progresses, the park continues to fill with more and more people. There are times I can't even see through the crowd because there are so many people around.
The rain never shows, but the clouds provide relief from the sun, making it a great day for this event.
I'm so glad I decided to come, even though I feel horrible when it's my turn to paint faces. No one complains, but my butterfly definitely needs some work.
I look back at Nyx, smiling at him and feeling like a lottery winner when he dips his head in my direction and gives me a little grin in return.
Chapter 35
Nyx
I know better than to relax, but watching her smile and laugh as she works the booth eases something inside of me.
I imagine it's been a very long time since she's felt happy.
When she gets a little worried, as if her brain is reminding her that there may be danger, she looks in my direction, smiling every time our eyes meet. I see her faith in my ability to keep her safe drain the tension that was growing in her body.
She trusts me and is sure of my ability. Knowing that makes me stand a little straighter and feel a little prouder of the decision to come to New Mexico rather than trying to face the world on my own.
I've noticed so many things about her as I watch.
She's so respectful of everyone's personal space. She doesn't reach out to touch the kids who come up the way some people do. She's interactive with people without seeming pushy or abrasive. She respects boundaries.