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I couldn’t remember the last time I had left my home for longer than a couple of hours.

“Are you sure you want to do this, baby?” Nikolai pursed his lips and crossed his arms before his chest.

“I know it is important to you. That makes it important for me, too.” I took a few steps toward him. “I am sorry I won’t be able to stay longer than a few hours. I understand if you…”

“If I what?” He cocked his head.

“If this is a dealbreaker for you.” He had used this word before.

“You not wanting your pets to starve isn’t a dealbreaker for me, Jules. I don’t want that, either. I’m prepared to go to any length to be with you.”

“So am I, Bunny. Please know that.” I reached out to him and caressed his arms. “You are my everything.”

“Oh, Jules.” He sighed and hugged me. “Thank you for coming to Veitsreuth. It means the world to me.”

“Let’s go. I think Barnabas is already at the arch.” My Wolpertinger was way too excited. He had set off the moment I’d told him he’d be coming with us.

We took a shortcut to the arch and from there it was only a short walk to the car park where Nikolai’s car waited. It was a sturdy, blue vehicle.

Nikolai sent messages to his team members as soon as we arrived at the car to ask if a few of them wanted to meet us for dinner tonight. I couldn’t deny that I was nervous. I clutched Barnabas to my chest.

“This is the first time Barnabas and I will be in a car.”

“It’s going to be okay, baby boy. I’ll get you home safely.”

In the end, it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. Nikolai stopped at a supermarket on the way into Veitsreuth to pick up a couple of things for us to eat.

We’d agreed that he would take me back home tomorrow morning so the chickens wouldn’t have to stay inside their coop for too long.

“Bo, Nate, Arne, and Max texted me back. They’re looking forward to meeting you. I’m still waiting for Guns to reply, but I bet he’ll be there, too.” Nikolai told me once he’d stowed the two shopping bags in the boot of his car and had taken the seat next to me again.

“Hey, baby. Are you alright?” he asked when he saw my face.

“I’m okay,” I lied.

“That might have worked on me before you...” His eyes dropped to my mouth as if he still saw his blood dripping from my lips. He leaned across the middle console, placed one hand on Barnabas’ back, and kissed me.

“I’m scared,” I admitted. “Everyone used to fear me. What if they still do? I don’t know if I can exist in the world today without being met with animosity.”

“You forget that you still have me by your side. Whoever tries to give you shit has to go through me first.”

Oh, Bunny.

“It’s worth facing my fears for you. This much I know at least.”

Fifty-three

Nikolai

NervousnessradiatedoffJulesin waves as we walked through the court gardens. He never let go of my hand—not when we arrived in the city centre of Veitsreuth, nor at the team’s favourite restaurant.

I held him back before we entered and hugged him.

“It’s going to be fine, baby boy. I promise.” A bit of the tension left him when we kissed.

One thing was clear: I wouldn’t let anyone give him shit. This wasmydomain, and I knew how to handle the guys.

Vee, Nate, Max, and Arne were already hanging around in the side room where our usual table stood.