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“I’ve been hunting for the person responsible, but he’s like a ghost. I couldn’t leave her unprotected.”

“That doesn’t answer my question though, does it?”

I leaned back and closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. Now was not the time to examine my roiling emotions. Despite my anger at her and my disappointment with him, I wouldn’t want anything happening to Nicolette. My father’s words from years ago came back to me…

“You offered her the world and once she’s done running and sees how dark a place it is without you to protect her, she’ll be back. Eventually she’ll realize who has always stood beside her. That little girl isn’t meant to face the ugliness of this world alone. Sooner or later she’ll discover that for herself, and then it’s up to you to take her in, or cast her away but remember, my son, it’s not you she is running from, or Marko, but her demons. Or perhaps she is chasing and not running. Regardless, she still has a choice to make, one you can’t make for her.”

I missed him. He had been a hard man at times, but his wisdom and guidance I now realized were priceless.

“When she returns,” he’d continued, “try not to be too harsh with her. Listen with an open mind before you demonize her, but also make it clear that it will never happen again. Vitale women don’t run.”

“I told myself I wasn’t coming clean because I didn’t think Niki could handle a confrontation with you while dealing with a killer. But the truth is, I wanted to stall and see if there was anything still there.” Marko offered an explanation, jolting me from my memories.

My father must have known more than he let on at the time. How did he know she would come back? Was she not meant for the world without me and Marko in it to keep her safe? Perhaps, but only time would tell. All I knew was now that she was back, she wasn’t leaving again.

“I assume you’ve fucked her?” It sounded crass, as intended, to camouflage how I was really feeling.

“No, but I wanted to.”

I leveled him with a look of disbelief. “Then why are clothes strewn all the way to the bedroom?”

At least he had the decency to blush. “She drank too much. I was escorting her back to her room, when she threw up all over herself. I stopped and stripped her clothing before putting her in the shower and tucking her in bed. I didn’t know she was in my bed until you woke me up. She must have snuck in during the night.”

I wanted to call him a liar, but knew he wasn’t. Marko had a tell that he wasn’t exhibiting now. His fingers were relaxed. None of the nervous drumming that always accompanied a lie.

“I’m sorry, Gio. I wanted to bring her back, but she had rehearsals.”

“Rehearsals? For what?”

“Niki Swan, as she has gone by since leaving us, is a prima ballerina for Empire Ballet, and they have a performance in a little over five weeks. She has rehearsals and classes every day. I thought the asshole would be caught by now, but he is good at eluding me. Either he’s a worker or a dancer there or someone who has intimate knowledge of the place.”

My mind was reeling. Niki had been a two-hour drive away this entire time, and we hadn’t known it. “We’ll take her home. Tell her to pack.”

“But Gio, didn’t you just hear what I said? She can’t just leave.”

“Yes, she can, and so can the entire damn cast. You forget, Marko, the Vitales have many legitimate businesses, and one of those is the I-Rock Theater. The company can rehearse in a space we have control over, and then we’ll know Niki has the personal security required.”

“Get her ready to leave. I’ll go and speak with the director. What’s his name?”

“Sergei. Maybe we should go with you.”

“Go where?”

We both whirled around and saw Niki standing at the open glass doors. You could tell she’d been crying, but she held herself like a queen looking ready to do battle. I almost wanted to smile at her bravery. But it was better she learned now that I’m not the lovesick boy she ran away from.

I stood and stalked toward her, watching her transform from queen to my prey. Her breath hitched, and the pulse in her neck beat rapidly with my approach.

I leaned over her, close enough to box her in. “Home, sweetheart, and the company is coming with you.”

“But—”

“There are no buts,” I said darkly. “Now be an obedient little ballerina and get ready to leave.”

She gulped. “And if I don’t obey?”

“It’s your choice as to what condition you arrive home in, but home you will go even if I have to tie you up and put you in my trunk.”

Her face registered the shock she felt before she turned and fled in the direction of the stairs. Marko sidled up beside me.