The missing scene at the loft you point out also contains the essential information where Nick explains his relationship with Lacroix (like a father or a brother).

In that context I also lament that they cut out the flashback after the fight in the stockyard. They repeat it in a later episode, but Nick's “I will repay you“ in relation to having Lacroix just pierced on an iron bar adds particular drama to that moment. I've always interpreted Nick's look as regret and the piercing as unintentional, and when he touches the iron bar, a flicker of relief. You'll proabably disagree...