"No, I didn't, because you made it pretty clear you'd be upset and that you wouldn't approve of my methods. But they were the first people I went for. For you, for her," he huffs irritably. "Besides, it was safer for you not to know, at least before I knew you were Cinder. And after, it was too late. What was I supposed to do, Nico? I'm already in love with you, I don't want to lose you." But it felt like that was what was happening, right now.

He turns away from Nico, swiping his hoodie off the floor and tugging it back on, dark curls covering his face as his head emerges.