Page 33 of The Road Less Traveled By

I sit on the edge of my bed, my body unable to hold itself up as I recount the memory. “She was having a nightmare. She yelled for whoever was in her head to get off her.” I’ll never forget hearing Bree scream a few nights ago. It scared the fucking shit out of me thinking someone was in her room, that someone had gotten past me in the night.

And I’ll never forget the split second of relief when I walked in and saw Bree by herself, shaking where she sat on her bed. The last time something like this happened, cold water seemed to help, so that’s what I did.

“You thought someone got past you.”

“Yeah.”

“And now you…” He trails off.

“Yeah. I sleep in front of her door to ensure that if someone was to try and get in, they wouldn't get past me. And if she had another nightmare, I’d get to her quicker, too. I don't know why I can’t seem to fucking sleep in my room, either. My bed feels like a rock, and the only way I fall asleep is when I’m sitting in front of her door.”

When I meet Nico’s eyes, he just smiles at me, a thought crossing his mind that he doesn't dare say out loud. If he did, he knows I’d punch him for saying it.

You’re breaking all of your rules.

Well, notallof them. Most of the physical contact I’ve had with Bree is necessary in my eyes. I’m helping her through her panic attacks. I’m calming her down somehow, and that’s nottechnicallybreaking that rule.

“So much for no personal attachments, huh?” Nico’s unabashed grin breaks through my thoughts.

“I’m not personally attached. She’s just a client.”

He chuckles as he fully shuts my door, not wanting what he’s about to say to leak into the hallway. “I’m gonna tell you something you don't want to hear.”

“Are you going to leave after?”

“Yes.”

“Then fucking say it.”

“You’ve been personally attached to her since you came back here. Vince, in all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never handed a case off, but for her, you did. That tells me a lot, and if you can’t see it, then maybe you are a fucking idiot.”

“I’m not an idiot. She’s my fucking client, Nico.Ourclient, technically. I’m doing my job, and I’m doing it well.”

He nods at me. “I know, dude. You’re great at your job, but you’re the one who says feelings cloud your judgment. From my perspective, you care about her, and not just because she’s our client.”

“I can’t listen to this right now.”

“Because you know I’m right.” His pearly white teeth shine in my direction, and I’m fighting the urge to punch them out of his mouth.

“Okay, fine. Is that what you want to hear? That it pisses me off that I can't do anything to help her? That I can't take her pain or nightmares away? That I feel this fierce urge to protect her from anything and everything that could harm her? It’s myjob, Nico. My job is to protect her, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Nico doesn't say a word as he steps toward the table, picks up the magazines, and throws them at me. “Just be careful. The media attention isn't going to make this any easier. I can try and get some of it taken down, but a shitstorm is coming, and you need to be ready. You need to be on your A game, Vince.”

“And I will be, asshole.”

“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same fucking page. I’ll get out of your hair. Just think about what I said.”

“See you later, Nico.” I sigh heavily as the door shuts, and I’m finally alone.

That fucker might be right, but nothing will ever come from digging further into whatever my feelings are concerning Bree.

Not that Ihavefeelings for her.

She just gets under my skin in a different way than most. When I sat in front of her and saw the tears leak from her eyes, her body trembling, I had to force myself not to hold her until she came down from it.

She didn't pull away from my touch when I ran my hands up and down her arms. She didn't flinch, which means she wasn't scared of me. She feelssafewith me, and that’s all I could ever hope for.

I just wish I could fix her, even though she’s not broken in the first place.

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