Page 5

"Shit." Novo moved with surprising speed for such a large man. In one fluid motion, he was beside me, then lifting me as if I weighed nothing. The room spun as he settled back on the couch and placed me sideways across his lap, my back against one of his massive arms, my legs draped over his thigh.
"Easy," he murmured, his deep voice rumbling through his chest against my side. One large hand spread across my back, warm and steady. "I need you to try to match my breathing, okay?"
I tried to focus on the steady rise and fall of his chest against my side. My vision was swimming, tears blurring everything as I struggled to draw breath.
"That's it," Novo encouraged, his voice surprisingly gentle. "In through your nose, hold it, then out through your mouth. With me now."
His hand moved in slow circles on my back, the pressure firm but not threatening. Gradually, the vice around my chest began to loosen. The roaring in my ears subsided enough that I couldhear Novo counting softly, "In, one, two, three, four... hold... out, two, three, four..."
I don't know how long we sat like that, me curled on his lap like a child while he guided me through breathing exercises. Eventually, the panic receded, leaving me exhausted and mortified. I became acutely aware of my position—cradled against the chest of a man I'd just met, a virtual stranger who was now my husband. "There you go," he said, his voice gentler than I would have thought possible from such an intimidating man. "Just keep breathing with me."
Minutes passed as we sat like that, my body cradled against his much larger frame. The panic receded slowly, leaving me limp with exhaustion and embarrassment. I knew I should move, get off his lap, but I couldn't seem to make my limbs cooperate. "I'm sorry,"
I risked looking up at him, expecting to see disgust or impatience. Instead, his gaze held nothing but concern. It was so unexpected that I had to look away. "Don't apologize," Novo said firmly. "You want to tell me what triggered it?"
I shuddered. "James... he wasn't what he seemed." I swallowed hard. "When we were alone, after the contract was signed but before the wedding, he told me what he really wanted. He said..." My voice faltered. “We went to his club, and he said I was going to enjoy it, but he tied me up with a gag, and, and,” I took a huge breath in, and Novo just hushed me. I closed my eyes and tried not to think about the pain, the humiliation.
“James who?” Novo murmured.
“Degrassi,” I whispered without thought.
Novo's expression darkened, but his hand continued its gentle motion on my back. "Degrassi," he repeated, his voice low and controlled in a way that made me shiver. "Thank you for telling me."
Before he could ask more questions, the doorbell rang. I flinched at the sound.
"That'll be the pizza," Novo said, carefully helping me off his lap. "Stay here, I'll get it."
I watched as he moved to the door, his movements fluid despite his size. My body felt hollow, wrung out from the panic attack. I hadn't meant to tell him about James. I hadn't told anyone the full story, not even Ricky.
Novo returned with the pizza box, setting it on the coffee table. The smell that normally would have made my mouth water now made my stomach churn. He opened the box and handed me a slice on a napkin, taking one for himself.
I took a small bite to be polite, but my throat immediately tightened. The food sat in my mouth, impossible to swallow. With trembling hands, I set the slice back down, then forced the bite down my suddenly dry throat.
Novo noticed immediately. "Not hungry after all?"
I shook my head, embarrassed. "Sorry. I thought I was, but..."
"No need to apologize." He set his own slice down and studied me. "When's the last time you ate something?"
"Yesterday morning," I admitted. "I was too nervous."
Novo frowned. "You need something in your stomach. You got eggs?"
"I think so."
Without another word, Novo stood and moved to the kitchen. I heard him opening cabinets and the refrigerator, the sounds oddly domestic. Not too long after, he returned with a plate of scrambled eggs and buttered toast.
"Try this," he said, handing me the plate. "Protein and carbs. Easy on the stomach."
I took a tentative bite. The eggs were perfectly cooked, lightly seasoned, and somehow exactly what I needed. "Thank you," I whispered, surprised by the gesture.
Novo nodded, watching me eat with a satisfaction that seemed almost... protective. "I'm going to call Ricky and cancel dinner."
"No," I protested, suddenly anxious. "We can't. They've been planning it, and Daddy Saul is coming, and—"
"Matty," Novo interrupted gently but firmly. " You need rest, not a social event. Ricky will understand."
"But—"