12. Isaac
ISAAC
The last shot of the day wrapped just before sunset.
The director called it, the crew broke into scattered applause, and the familiar rhythm of teardown began. Lights came down, and cables disappeared into cases.
Makeup artists hurried after actors for touch-ups before publicity photos. Crew members shouted over one another while loading trucks. Normally, the chaos helped me unwind.
Today, I couldn't shake the restless itch crawling beneath my skin. My wolf hadn't settled once all day, especially after finding the note left on the windshield of my truck.
I hefted two of Logan's equipment bags over one shoulder while balancing a folding chair beneath my arm. Another backpack hung from my opposite shoulder, knocking against my hip every other step.
"Seriously?" Logan laughed behind me. "I can carry my own stuff."
"You've been acting for ten hours,” I reminded him “And your body is insured for an amount that could probably buy half this town."
He snorted. Behind us, Nico locked the trailer door before jogging to catch up.
"You two done?" he asked.
"For now," Logan answered.
The production lot had mostly emptied by the time we reached the parking area. The security vehicles sat where we'd left them that morning. My truck waited near the fence.
"I'll drive," I said automatically.
Nico held out a hand. "I've got it. You've been on your feet all day,” Nico said, smiling.
Before I could argue again, he'd already plucked the keys from my fingers.
"Besides," he added with a grin, “you look like you’re carrying half of Logan's earthly possessions."
"I volunteered.”
"You volunteered because you're incapable of letting people do things themselves,” Logan mumbled.
"I am perfectly capable."
The two of them exchanged identical looks. I sighed.
"Don't say it,” I warned them.
Nico climbed into the driver's seat while I wrestled Logan's bags into the back. The moment I slammed the rear door shut, the truck let out a grinding metallic shriek.
A thick plume of gray smoke exploded from beneath the hood. Danger bells rang in my head, and my wolf rose inside me, alarmed and alert. My first thought was…
"Nico!" I yelled.
One second I was standing behind the van, and the next I was sprinting. Smoke poured upward. Another awful grinding noise echoed through the engine.
Every instinct screamed the same thing. Fire. Explosion. Move! I yanked the driver's door open so violently it bounced against its hinges.
"What the—” Nico began.
I'd practically dragged him from the seat. He stumbled straight into me, and I pulled him several feet away from the truck.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
“Nico,” I whispered.
I couldn't seem to let go. He blinked up at me, confused. "Isaac?"
"You okay?” I asked. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
"No, but I can’t breathe, Isaac.”
Only then did I realize I was crushing him against my chest. My grip loosened, but I didn’t let him go. Behind us, Logan hurried over.
"What happened?" Logan demanded.
Smoke continued curling from beneath the hood. Someone shouted for a fire extinguisher, while another crew member waved everyone back. One of the security guards approached cautiously, stopping well short of the truck.
I barely heard any of it. All I could think about was how close I'd come to losing Nico.
If the engine had caught, if there'd been flames, if Nico had been inside for another few seconds... I couldn't let myself think about what might have happened.
"What the hell were you thinking?" The words came out rougher than I intended. “You started the engine without checking anything? You could've been killed.”
Nico's mouth opened, then closed again. He glanced toward the truck, where smoke was still curling from beneath the hood.
“I didn't think...” He swallowed. “I didn't think it was that bad.”
Nico's face flushed, and he lowered his gaze. Several crew members looked over, but I didn't care.
"What if something happened to you?" I asked, voice cracking a little.
Silence settled between us. Nico's expression shifted. Confusion gave way to surprise, then something softer. I stepped back, and forced my hands to fall away from him.
I needed to be a little more professional.
“Sorry about that.” I scrubbed a hand over my face, suddenly embarrassed. “I...”
Dang it, I couldn't think straight. One of our security team members jogged over. I looked up.
"Isaac. You need another vehicle? Our spare SUV's free,” he said.
“I do, thanks,” I said. He tossed me the keys without hesitation.
"I'll deal with this one,” he said, nodding to my truck.
I nodded, then turned before anyone could study my face any longer. After a thorough check of the new SUV, we finally headed back toward the pack compound.
This time, I insisted on driving. I was relieved Nico didn’t argue with me. Logan sat behind me, and Nico occupied the passenger seat. The silence felt heavier than the vehicle.
Finally Logan spoke. “Do you think the stalker tampered with it?"
Nico folded his arms. "It doesn't feel like coincidence."
"No,” Logan reluctantly agreed.
“The security guys will give us a report on the truck soon,” Nico said. “I’m hoping the new cameras would show us something. Anyway, I’ll review everything tonight."
I barely listened. Their voices drifted around me like distant radio chatter. My hands stayed locked around the steering wheel.
Every red light replayed the same image. Smoke, Nico behind the wheel, and my wolf panicking. The possibility that I'd almost lost him. The thought lodged itself somewhere beneath my ribs.
I'd spent weeks convincing myself I could balance both worlds.
Protect Logan. Catch the stalker. Figure out whatever this impossible thing growing between Nico and me had become. I'd been wrong.
Whoever had tampered with my truck, did they know Nico would be the one behind the wheel? Or had I been the intended target?
I didn't regret my growing closeness with Nico, not for a second. I didn't need my wolf whispering about destiny to know what was happening between us mattered.
I cherished every laugh, every quiet conversation and smile that somehow found me even on the worst days. Something precious had taken root, and it had happened with frightening ease.
Somewhere along the way, though, I'd let my guard down. Not completely, but enough to steal moments with Nico between filming. I'd started thinking about him instead of running through possible threats.
I deluded myself into thinking I had everything under control. I should've waited until filming ended, until the stalker was caught and Logan was safe. Then maybe none of this would've happened.
“Hey, Isaac. Did you hear me?”
I blinked. “What did you say?”
“You want to go through today's security footage tonight?” Nico asked gently. "With the new cameras, we might spot something useful.”
“Um, yeah. Sure."
"You okay?" Nico asked, sounding concerned.
"Yeah. I’m perfectly fine,” I told him.
He studied my profile. I kept my eyes on the road.
"You've been quiet,” Nico commented.
"I'm fine,” I repeated, a little ticked off.
Thankfully, Nico backed off, although he looked a little hurt. Didn’t matter, I thought to myself. I’ll have a talk with him later.
The gates of the pack compound rolled open, and I drove through automatically. The familiar buildings usually settled something inside me. Tonight they didn't.
I found a parking spot and killed the engine. Nobody moved at first. Eventually, Logan unbuckled his seat belt.
"I should report this to Cooper,” Logan said.
"I'll come,” I immediately said, glad for something to do.
He shook his head immediately.
“Nah. It's my responsibility too.” Logan smiled, though concern lingered behind it. “I can handle this, bro.”
"I can still—"
"You should stay here,” Logan said, cutting me off. His gaze flicked meaningfully toward Nico, then back to me. “Alright, Isaac?”
Before I could argue again, he'd already climbed out.
"I won't be long,” Logan added.
The door shut. A second later he disappeared into the building, leaving Nico and me alone. I stared through the windshield, gathering my thoughts.
I cleared my throat, then forced myself to speak. "I don't think you should come tomorrow."
He frowned. "What? Why not?”
"To the set. You should stay here."
Nico stiffened. “That doesn’t make any sense. I’m your security consultant.”
"Isaac, what’s this really about?” He turned fully toward me. "Is this because you don't trust me?"
"No, it’s not that at all,” I said.
"You think I can't protect Logan?" Nico demanded, narrowing his eyes. "You think I can't do my job?"
I faced him. “Of course not, it’s clear you know what you’re doing. I trust your instincts, and your judgment.”
His expression softened for barely half a second. Then hardened again. "Then why?"
Because I almost watched you die. I could barely breathe when I pulled you out. The thought of losing you scared me more than anything had in years.
I took a deep breath and tried to organize my thoughts.
“It’s not only me or Logan who’s in danger.” I looked down at my hands. “They know you’re close to me, and you’re always around Logan. They know who you are. If they’re willing to tamper with a vehicle, who knows what else they're willing to do?”
My throat tightened. "I don't want you anywhere near that set tomorrow."
“I can defend myself,” Nico said hotly.
“I know.”
“I'm not helpless.”
“I never said you were.”
Every answer felt inadequate. How could I make him understand?
"So what? You want me to hide for one day?” Nico demanded. I nodded and he laughed once. "You want me to take a day off."
"Yes.”
"Because you're worried."
I nodded again and his jaw tightened.
"I don't like it,” Nico said. "I feel like you're benching me."
"I'm trying to keep you alive." The words escaped before I could soften them.
He stared at me, and for a second, I thought I'd finally gotten through to him. Then he shook his head.
"I don't agree." He opened the passenger door. "I'm going home."
“Nico, wait!” This wasn't how I'd imagined this conversation going.
He climbed out and started walking. Something tightened in my chest. I couldn't leave things between us like this.
“Hey, Nico. Wait a darn second.” My voice came out ragged.
He paused, and I caught up in three strides.
My fingers closed around his wrist. He looked back, a questioning look in his eyes. I tugged gently until he stood close enough that I could feel his warmth.
"If anything happens to you..." I could barely get the words out. I leaned nearer until my forehead brushed his. "I don't know what I'll do."
There was no hiding behind walls now, no pretending this was still about security.
His eyes searched mine. His anger slowly unraveled, but it didn't disappear completely. I could live with that, as long as he was safe and understood why I was doing this.
He bit his lower lip. The gesture nearly undid me. "You really mean that."
It wasn't a question. I nodded once.
“I do. So please. Just do this for me.”
He closed his eyes briefly. When they opened again, the frustration remained, but compassion had slipped in beside it.
“Fine, then.” The words sounded reluctant. Nico sighed. “I'll stay out of your fur for one day.”
"Thank you," I whispered.
He squeezed my hand once before letting go. "I'm still not happy about it."
"I understand,” I said. “We'll talk more about this later.”
He gave one short nod, then turned toward the residential area. I watched him walk away, until he disappeared around the corner. Only then did I let myself breathe.
I'd asked him to stay away because it was the safest choice, and I believed that. Every instinct I possessed insisted I'd done the right thing.
So why did it feel like I'd just watched something precious slip farther out of reach?
I stood beneath the fading evening sky, wondering if keeping Nico safe would cost me whatever we were becoming.