How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
So much for not getting into trouble. But what was he supposed to do? Let the weasel scum insult his mom? (1.87)
Nick will sacrifice himself to protect his mom's reputation, even though Stone doesn't technically say anything that isn't true about her.
Quote #5
From what he'd seen, the kid was a tough little scrapper. He'd give him that. And the boy could take a vicious beating without begging for mercy. There weren't many adults who could have gone through what he had without crying. That alone made him respect the kid. (1.213)
Kyrian has tons of money, so he doesn't seem to care who has it and who doesn't. He is drawn to people whom he respects or admires. And Nick, lucky for him, happens to be one of those people.
Quote #6
Wow […] he didn't sneer her name. He actually said it like he respected her. (2.93)
Nick isn't used to people treating his mother with respect. She is a stripper, so people generally treat her like nobody, or worse. But Kyrian sees her as a person, either because he's not the type of guy to dehumanize strippers or because he knows she is the mother of Nick, who could one day becomes a powerful being.