Page 116 of Brick's Retribution

"Nova?" I call out.

She turns, breaking into a smile. "Hey, Brick. Mom described you perfectly—'big and looks like he could bench press a motorcycle.'"

I laugh. "That's me. This is Doom."

She turns to look at him, and I swear the air crackles between them.

Doom actually stands up straighter, and Nova’s cheeks flush slightly.

"Hey, it’s been a while," she says softly.

"Hey. Yeah, it has." he replies, and for Doom, the single word sounds like poetry.

Interesting.

Doom reaches for her suitcases with odd gentleness. "Let me get those."

"I can manage?—"

"I know you can," he interrupts. "But let me anyway."

She studies him for a moment, then nods. "Okay."

The ride back is filled with Nova asking questions about the city, the university, the club.

But I notice she directs most of them to Doom, who answers with more words than I've heard him string together in months.

"Mom said Mei's been through a lot," Nova says carefully. "Without giving details, is there anything I should know? To be a good roommate?"

"She has nightmares sometimes," I tell her. "And she doesn't like sudden noises or people coming up behind her. But she's tough, working through it."

"I can work with that," Nova says firmly. "I'm glad she'll have someone to room with. Mom worries about me being alone in a new city anyways."

"You won't be alone," Doom says quietly. "The club takes care of its own."

Back at the clubhouse, Mei is waiting.

We had told her the other day Nova would be moving in with her, and she was happy not to be in her apartment by herself anymore.

An apartment the club is providing for her, I might add.

"You must be Nova! I'm Mei. I'm so happy you're here!"

The two young women hit it off immediately, chattering about classes and schedules as we load Nova’s stuff to take to their apartment.

"It's perfect," Nova says when she sees the place. "And so close to campus!"

"The club made sure it was secure," I explain, showing her the reinforced locks and security system. "And there's always someone nearby if you need anything."

"I'll check on them regularly," Doom volunteers, then looks like he wants to take the words back.

Nova smiles at him. "That would make me feel safer. Thank you."

As we're leaving, I catch Doom's arm. "You good?"

"Yeah," he says, but his eyes drift back to where Nova is unpacking. "She's... not what I expected."

"Funny how that happens," I say, thinking of Imani.

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