I’d never forgive myself for what I did, but it had been necessary.

Protecting Sofia was far more important than my own selfish desires. She was always so innocent, lost in an imaginary world that only an artist could know. It was never my place to tell her about her family—to bring that darkness into her life—and if I’d tried to keep her and my secrets, the inevitable breakup would have been even more catastrophic. I had abandoned that path, and now a detour had rerouted me back down the same dead end. This time, there were no exits or U-turns. I couldn’t reverse my way out of this. This time, we would see just how it would play out—every last gory detail.

Unable to hold back any longer, I lifted myself from the cold metal chair. “Just like old times, isn’t it?” My voice was a jagged blade slicing through the velvet night sky.

Sofia startled with a gasp, whirling around in alarm. “Nico! What are you doing here? You scared me half to death.” In only a few seconds’ time, her face displayed a full gamut of emotions—surprise, then fear, before settling on agitation as she lifted her chin and turned back toward the water.

I made my way to the railing, leaving only a few inches between us. “Congratulations,” I offered softly—my version of an apology. A part of me wanted to pull her back against my chest and wrap her in my warm arms where she could feel safe, but I knew the gesture would not be appreciated.

A shaky puff of air formed a faint cloud slipping from her lips. “Thanks.”

“It’s a great accomplishment, but you don’t seem all that excited.”

“I am. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.” Her eyes cut over to me in a sardonic gesture. “You want to tell me what the hell you’re doing here?”

“I wanted to see you.”

“Not here tonight. Here as in back in my life. Why now? What’s going on?” She turned to lean her hip on the railing, giving me her full attention. I mirrored her stance and took in her delicate features.

Her wavy hair was piled loosely on top of her head, and her flushed cheeks pinked in the cool night air—together, they were a delicious hint at how breathtaking she’d look sated and sprawled in my bed. Not even the cool temperatures could keep me from getting hard after imagining that sight. Hoping she wouldn’t look down and see the evidence of my wandering mind, I shrugged my coat off and wrapped it around her narrow shoulders.

“You’ve been out in the cold for too long. You’re going to freeze to death.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I don’t have a good answer for you. Your parents reached out, and it started me thinking. One thing led to another, and now you’re all I think about.”

“You can’t keep saying those things,” she whispered, her eyes searching mine.