Page 87 of Nitro

“Next time, tell me when you’re cold. I could feel you shivering. Promise you’ll always tell me when you need something.”

“I will. Can you make the same commitment?”

“For you? Anything.” He seals his pledge with a kiss.

When we get back to the clubhouse, the look on everyone’s face breaks my heart. I don’t even have to glance at the TV to know what’s happening.

“He’s winning.” Reaper’s voice is completely devoid of inflection. His emotionless response both terrifies me and breaks my heart. He’s the scariest guy in the room, but a long time ago, he was a small, helpless boy. Someone needs to love him enough to melt his hardened heart. Everyone deserves love, even the most broken among us.

“I can’t watch anymore.” Matrix gets up and walks down the hall. A door slams.

“He’s up by almost ten percent. It’s over. He won.” Scar looks so much older than he is.

“Let’s go home.” Julia stands and takes his hand. “If anyone needs us, you know where to find us. Day or night. Just come by, okay?”

Everyone nods and silently watches them go.

Nina’s next, offering the same thing. I can see she’s just as upset as the guys, but there’s an underlying anxiety in her tone. She’s worried about her boys.

Reaper and Talon go to their rooms, leaving Nitro and me alone. I grab the remote and turn off the TV. Nitro sits on the couch with his head in his hands. I sense he needs time to process what just happened, so I gather the snacks and carry them into the kitchen. Daisy’s sitting on the floor of the pantry, softly crying.

“Hey.” I set the food down and go to her. “What’s going on?”

“It’s just so wrong.”

“Blackstone?”

“Yeah. I’m not stupid, you know. I hear things. I know Matrix helped leak that recording. Why didn’t it work?” Mascara leaves black rivers down her face.

“People are stupid. They don’t think for themselves anymore.”

“I know, but still. The recording should have been damning. They wouldn’t have given it to Matrix if they didn’t think it would work.”

“They? They who?”

“Oh.” She sniffs and wipes her face. “I don’t know. I just assumed. Never mind.”

“Why don’t you go lay down for a bit? I’ll clean up.” I help her to her feet.

“Maybe I’ll check on Matrix.”

“I’d leave him be. He might need some time alone.”

“You think so?”

“I don’t know for sure. But maybe? Let him come to you. I know you guys talk sometimes. He might need a shoulder to cry on later, but if you approach him first, he might not open up to you.”

“Why?”

“Because men don’t like to show weakness.”

“It’s not weakness. It’s pain.” She sighs.

“Give him some space tonight. I see the way he looks at you. He’ll come around eventually.”

She studies me for a few seconds before hugging me. “Thanks, Holly. You’re a good friend.”

“You are too. That’s what Matrix needs right now. A friend. But wait until tomorrow. Then maybe he’ll be ready to talk about what happened tonight.”