Our flight was about two and a half hours long. My mind wandered a lot to a multitude of things that could go wrong throughout this whole trip. Christian tried his best to calm my nerves during the flight.

We made it to our hotel and it was just as nice as the one Danny and I stayed in back in Vegas. I didn't know why I was even remotely surprised. They were both wealthy men but Christian was humbler about his money than Danny ever was.

Christian unlocked the door to our room with the keycard, holding the door open for me as I walked in. I looked around the room, immediately acknowledging how there were two beds instead of just one. My grip on my suitcase handle tightened as I tried to pull myself together feeling a sudden wave of past memories try to overcome me.

My heartbeat steadily increased and my breath became labored as tears started to well up in my eyes.

Nadia calm down, please.

I tried to ground myself, focusing on my breathing, attempting to calm down. But all I could think of was my time with Danny and everything that happened in that Vegas hotel room. Just sitting with him talking, oblivious to the fact that he had drugged me. Waking up hours later confused in California only to be sexually assaulted multiple times. I thought about the scar I left on his face and the knife I left in his chest.

I didn't want to hurt him but I didn't have a choice when that was all he did to me.

...

Christian's POV

I closed the door behind me, leaving my suitcase by the door as I walked towards the center of the room. I sighed, taking my backpack off my shoulders, tossing it down on the floor. "So Detective Myers texted me, she-,"

I suddenly heard a soft sob, swiftly turning around seeing Nadia covering her face in the palm of her hands as she broke down in tears.

Oh shit. I rushed over to her, quickly pulling her into a comforting embrace. She hid her face on my chest, tightly hugging me as she continued to cry. "It's okay, you're gonna be okay Nadia." I spoke softly, attempting to soothe her as I rubbed her back.

I was sure this was a result of some kinda trauma she experienced with Danny and it honestly broke me.

"Here," I lifted her up, bridal style carrying her and took a seat on the bed. I didn't want her to stand when her leg was still healing. I sat with her in silence, patiently waiting for her to calm down.

Nadia gradually stopped crying, taking in deep breaths as she rested her head on my chest. She sniffled, slowly sitting up as she looked at me with red eyes.

She sheepishly chuckled, wiping her tears away. "I'm sorry." She mumbled.

"No, don't be, it's okay." I paused for a moment. "Do you wanna talk about it?" I hesitantly asked.

She sighed, sadly looking away from me as she thought about my question.

"It's just these memories I have from the cabin." Nadia confessed.

"I never want to admit it but Danny traumatized me. I don't want to remember that part of him you know?" Her voice shook as she held back the urge to cry again. "I'm holding on to the person he was before everything happened."

I fiddled with the rings around my fingers, taking in what Nadia was saying. Holding onto who Danny was before? Yeah, I understood that. It was hard to think about Danny without the multitude of bad things he did trailing behind him like a shadow.

"I know what you mean. My parents do the same thing, especially my mom. When Danny died, they didn't tell anyone what really happened. Everyone just thinks he was shot in a random accident. You know, a wrong place at the wrong time kinda thing."

I lightly chuckled, thinking about me and Danny's past. "My mom didn't bring up the criminal charges Danny had. She said it'll 'stain' our family again." I scoffed.

"Again?" Nadia softly questioned.

I nodded, taking a quick glance at her seeing the curiosity in her eyes. We were both in vulnerable states, so I felt like I could open up to her about my secrets too. "Before Danny's stain, there was mine."

"It was a couple years back; I was only 19." I sighed, lightly shaking my head in shame. "I got caught up with cocaine so much it almost killed me."

"Christian, oh my god..." Nadia whispered, sorrowfully gazing at me.

"Danny was the one who found me when I overdosed." I looked down towards the floor, reminiscing on that painful memory. "In a way, I don't think I would still be here if it weren't for him. I wish I could have returned the favor the day he got shot, but I was a little too late."

I deeply exhaled, fighting back tears. I couldn't cry in front of Nadia.

"There's no denying the fact that Danny did some fucked up shit, but there's something to help remind you of the good in him."

Nadia warmly smiled at me with a glimmer of sadness still in her eyes. "I'm glad he saved you. I don't know where I'd be without you."

She lowered her head, nervously glancing down at her lap as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Christian I don't think I really ever thanked you."

I chuckled. "No you did, you definitely did." I grinned.

"No, I mean it." She held her serious gaze on me. "Thanks for rescuing me and just, being by my side ever since. I appreciate you, so much."

I quietly sighed, ending my playful manner as I genuinely smiled at her. "Yeah of course," I spoke softly, taking ahold of her hand. "I'm sorry about Danny and all the pain he caused you. I know you're going through a lot, and you don't have to tell me anything you don't feel comfortable with," I quickly added. "But just know I'm always willing to listen."

I let go of her hand, gently placing my hand on her cheek as she innocently looked up at me. "I'll be there for you as you heal." I gazed into her soft brown eyes. "However long it takes."

Nadia smiled back at me, tears glistening in her eyes. She leaned towards me again, wrapping her arms around me in a loving embrace.

I hugged her back, peacefully closing my eyes as I held her a bit tighter.

I playfully laid back down onto the bed, bringing Nadia down with me hoping to get a laugh out of her. She giggled and the sound of her laughter and closeness to my face made a smile creep onto my lips.

Nadia cradled my face in her hands as she leaned down, planting a soft kiss on my lips, leaving me wanting more.

"Thank you." She affectionately whispered.