Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT NICO STOPPED HIDING
Nico had built his life around control.
He controlled rooms.
Conversations.
Businesses.
People.
But the shooting at the Meridian had exposed a truth he could no longer ignore.
Someone had used his own organization against him.
Someone had exploited his reputation.
And someone had killed Evan Walsh while Nico convinced himself the problem could wait.
He began cooperating with investigators.
Not publicly.
Not dramatically.
But through attorneys and documented disclosures.
He provided financial records.
Identified employees with access to suspicious accounts.
And agreed to testify about transactions he had previously ignored.
It was dangerous.
It also meant confronting his own responsibility.
One evening, Eden visited him at his penthouse.
She hadn't planned to stay long.
But rain began falling against the windows.
The city lights blurred.
And they ended up sitting beside the fireplace, talking.
Nico told her about his father.
A violent man.
A man who believed affection made people weak.
A man who taught Nico that fear was the only reliable form of loyalty.
Eden listened.
Then asked:
"Do you believe that?"
Nico looked at her.
"I used to."
"And now?"
He stared into the fire.
"Now I'm not sure."
Eden considered that.
Then said:
"My mother used to tell me that kindness isn't weakness."
He looked at her.
"What is it?"
She smiled sadly.
"Sometimes it's the hardest choice."
Nico was quiet.
Then he said:
"You were kind to me that night."
Eden shook her head.
"I was trying to stop a shooting."
"You could have run."
"So could you."
He looked at her.
Then smiled faintly.
"Fair."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Nico reached for her hand.
Slowly.
Giving her time to pull away.
She didn't.
His fingers closed gently around hers.
"Eden."
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you wrote that note."
May you like
Her eyes filled.
"So am I."
