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)
"I'll stay tonight," I tell him, smiling softly when he releases a rush of air like he thought I'd argue more than I have. "I don't know about tomorrow."
He nods as if he expected the response.
"Hypothetically," he begins. "If all the women agree to come, will you stay longer?"
I pull in a deep breath, considering the question.
"What will be said to them?"
"What do you mean?"
"Will they be told my psycho ex is in town, and they're being moved here so I'll stay?"
His face is blank for a brief moment, as if he wants to argue that's the reason entirely, but we both know better. If Graham hadn't been at the park earlier, I would be wrapping up the fundraiser with Victoria and heading back to the shelter. After things were cleared away, I'd be going to my apartment, waiting for Graham to do something, only for it to trigger this very same conversation at a later time.
"This recommendation was made before Whitmore showed his face today," he says, in a very diplomatic way. "They will not be told that this has anything to do with your ex. Victoria is not going to go back to the shelter and gossip about what happened. No one will know."
I pull in yet another deep breath.
"And if we were making this decision based on something going on with someone else, there's a very good chance you wouldn't know the full truth either. We do our best to respect and protect everyone's privacy," he assures me, and adding that statement makes me feel a little better.
Movement across the room draws my attention, making Nyx look over his shoulder as well.
Kincaid looks in our direction, and all the man does is dip his head slightly before walking into the kitchen.
Nyx looks even more serious when he turns his attention back to me.
"The decision has been made," he says. "The shelter is moving here."
"You know all that just from that one little dip of his head?" I challenge.
He gives me a slight smile. "Yes."
"You guys have your own language," I mutter, my pulse kicking up in a way that makes me wonder if I'm nervous about this decision being made or if I'm excited.
"I guess we do. How do you feel about all of this?"
"I'm a little overwhelmed," I answer honestly.
"Things will go very quickly," he says. "Accommodations will be made, and Cerberus moves fast with this sort of thing. Less chance of things going sideways."
As if he spoke them into existence, the front door opens, and a line of men walks through.
Two are carrying twin-sized mattresses, while several others carry bed frames and headboards. It's clear these are for Daisy and Dean.
"I'm going to go help," he says. "I'd guess that the women will work through packing and such tonight, and they'll be moved here tomorrow morning."
"My things?" I ask. "Back at my apartment?"
"We'll make sure someone gets them," Emmalyn says as she steps up, catching my question. "I wanted to talk to you about logistics."
"You good?" Nyx asks as he stands.
I give him a nod. It's the only thing I can manage right now.
With Cerberus controlling the shelter's financing and security, I guess they don't have to go through a board of trustees like many other places do, which could take days, if not weeks, to reach final decisions.
"I'll be around if you need me," he says before walking away.
"Logistics?" I ask Emmalyn, not wanting to lose momentum. It would give me too much time to try and make different decisions, ones that may not be the best for me in this situation.
"We have five rooms down the hall to the left over there," she says, pointing as I stand. "They're already empty, which makes things so much easier. The guys stay in the new addition because the rooms are just a bit bigger. The hall to the right is also empty, and I was wondering if it would be okay if you took one of those rooms?"
"Of course," I quickly agree, not wanting to be any more of an inconvenience than I already am.
"Perfect," she says. "The left hallway will be a safe zone, no different from the house. No one from Cerberus will go in that area. They shouldn't have any reason to go in the other hallway either, but we're not limiting it either."
The way she watches me makes me wonder where her mind goes when she sees me.
"Sounds good," I tell her, knowing I'm far enough along in my recovery journey that just the sight of a man I can identify doesn't make me want to curl up in the corner.
I also know enough about them to know that if they are told they can't go somewhere, then they won't. They've proven themselves enough.
"Do you have a preference on who packs your apartment?" Emmalyn asks as she guides me toward the right hallway.