She stiffened. “That is none of your damn business."
Her voice was curt, thoughts suddenly chaotic. In many respects, that told him all he needed to know. Her relationship with Tommy had been sexual, and for some odd reason, she felt responsible for his death.
"Why does Monica remind you of him?"
"I told you, she doesn't."
"And yet you chase Monica because of Tommy."
She didn't deny it, just stood at the window, staring out.
"Why, Nikki?"
For a moment, he didn't think she would answer.
"Because I let him die.” Her voice was so soft it was a more a whisper through his thoughts than anything he could actually hear. “Because I vowed never to let it happen again."
"There was nothing you could do to save Monica. She chose her fate long before you came onto the scene."
Nikki glanced at him. “You're wrong, Michael. I could have stopped this." The certainty in her voice made him frown. “Monica performed the ceremony over a week ago. From that point on, her fate was ordained. It was just a matter of when."
"And it was the when I could have changed.” She hesitated, then turned to face him. “Everyone has some good in them. Sometimes all it takes is one person's belief to change the tide." He had an odd feeling she was talking more about herself than Monica. He wondered who had turned her tide. Jake?
She lifted her chin slightly. “None of this alters the fact I will not be left behind tomorrow." He scowled. Her tenacity annoyed the hell out of him, yet he couldn't help admiring her for it, either.
“You're a stubborn wench."
"I never claimed to be perfect, Michael. And nothing you can do or say will stop me from going with you."