That's not— that wasn't what was supposed to happen. Nina actually looked surprised by the evenness of his tone and the willingness to talk — something she had chalked up last time to a one-off event where he realized he had fucked up.

"I don't understand you." She said. "Why would you want to break his heart — aren't you meant to protect him?" She asked, knife still held and poised to strike, but unmoving otherwise. "And why be ashamed — sex is a good outlet for your shit. One I'm even willing to indulge in."

Because in the end, he was a part of Jeritza. A part she would have to live with. They had to live with each other. She was in too deep now.

"There is a need. If I agree now and let you go, you'll just go off on me."