Page 88 of The Restoration Program

“Ryan—” Nicole put a hand on his knuckle, but his voice overpowered hers.

“What were you thinking?” He scowled at Darlene. “How could you let this happen?”

“I’m sorry,what? If you’re implying Iletsome lady harass her—”

“No!” Nicole pleaded, seeing Ryan’s jaw square dangerously. “She did amazing, babe. It wasn’t her. It was just… the kid came up to us, then the mom. It spiraled. But it’s fine. I’m fine. It was fun for a bit, honestly. The world just isn’t ready for little old me yet.”

“For all you know, that kid could have made a grab.” Ryan’s eyes didn’t budge from Darlene. “He could have broken your bones. If I’d have been there…”

Darlene snorted. “What? Would you have decked a kindergartener in a department store?”

He gave a sharp huff. “Seriously? You’re joking about this after what happened to her the other day? The fuck is wrong with you?”

Her insulted expression became muddled with confusion. “Wait—what happened?”

Nicole’s mouth went dry as Ryan’s gaze flooded with betrayal. Slowly, both of them looked at Nicole.

“You said you told her,” he said.

“I couldn’t figure out how. A-and she’d be so panicked. She’d look at me—just likethat!” Nicole tapered off, jabbing a finger toward his face.

“Someone atOchotried to make off with her,” Ryan said to Darlene. “Disgusting fuck. He ran two blocks before I was able to catch him.”

“What?”

“I thought it would be good to go,” Nicole stammered out as Darlene’s face drained of all color, rosy lips dropping open. “I thought it might’ve been… healing. I don’t want to be afraid forever, Ry!”

His hand had slipped around her while she spoke, fingers digging in possessively to her side.

“Someone tried to kidnap you?” Darlene breathed. “Holy shit. Holy fucking shit, I-I’m so sorry.”

Ryan ignored Darlene. “What if something worse had happened?” His voice went soft and deep for Nicole. “I thought we agreed we would play it safe for now. Is this something I’m gonna need to worry about now? That I’ll come home to find out this happened again, or that I’ll get a call at the office that some asshole got his hands on you,hurtyou—”

The slight raise in his voice made her shake. Nicole squeezed his fingers in a desperate attempt to calm him. “It won’t happen again.”

“Maybe we can find someplace less crowded next time,” Darlene said gently. “When you’re ready, you know? A quiet park, or one of those museums downtown on a slow day.”

Ryan scoffed, and Nicole could practically feel his nerves electrify under her touch. “Really? You’re already planning when you’re going to put her on display with no protection?”

Darlene gaped, flushing red. “You know, I was actually talking toher.”

“And I’m not going to just stand by and let something happen to her.”

Nicole had never seen Darlene angry before. It didn’t suit her petite features to be so taut and flushed. “Are you calling mecareless? Seriously?”

Ryan stood, and Nicole was swept up with him, his hand cupping her to his stomach. He was nearly a head taller than Darlene, but she stood her ground. Though it wasn’t directed at her, the passive expression on his face sent a chill down Nicole’s spine.

“If you don’t mind, I think we need some time just the two of us, Darlene.”

“Wait, Ry…” Nicole pulled on his shirt. He gave his wrist the slightest twitch to shake her off.

“Thanks for coming,” he said pointedly.

“Oh, hell no.” Darlene shook her head and squared her shoulders. “I’m not leaving her alone with you while you’re like this. How about you put her down? You’re overreacting.”

“My wife died, came back to life, and was nearly kidnapped. Explain to me how I’m overreacting.”

Nicole shuddered and felt as though she was watching this bridge burn right before her eyes. Neither of them were going to let up, and the best thing for all of them was to get Ryan and Darlene away from each other. It pained her, but she had to speak up while there was still something to salvage.