Chapter 175

Nikolai POV

Yeah. Letting Alyssa call Nina was a mistake.

She’s pacing the room like her skin’s too tight, her lip trapped between her teeth, the burner phone pressed to her ear with shaking fingers.

“Hey, Nina. Umm...how is she doing?”

I glance at King. Then Mason. Then War.

We’re all bracing for it—waiting for it. The moment she breaks down again.

“D-Did she ask about us this morning?”

Fuck. Don’t ask that.

I drag a hand down my face.

There’s a pause. Her shoulders stiffen.

“Oh. I’m glad you were able to distract her with pancakes.”

Her voice wobbles—and then the tears surface.

She turns her back to us, swiping furiously at her cheeks, trying to keep it together.

“I hear her laughing,” she whispers. “She sounds like she’s having fun.”

Whatever Nina says cracks her wide open.

“I miss her too,” she chokes out. “Tell her I love her, okay?”

A beat.

“Okay. Love you too, Nina. By