Chapter 50
Before I can respond, Lilly moves like lightning, swinging her fist in a perfect arc. Her knuckles connect with his stomach. Not hard enough to injure, but enough to knock the wind out of him. Noah staggers back, a rare flash of shock in his eyes.
“What the fuck, Lilly!” Noah snaps. “I’m your cousin p>
“And she’s my best friend… threaten her again and I’ll rip out your tongue and sew it back in upside down–then we’ll see how brave you feel p>
Noah’s fingers curl into fists at his sides, jaw clenched. His anger radiates, sharp and raw, and I can’t help but feel a twinge of satisfaction. He’s never been caught off guard like this before.
Gunner, who had been watching the whole thing like it’s a show, chuckles.
“Wow, sir,” he says, glancing at Noah. “Getting hit by your own cousin. Brutal p>
His laughter is cutting but playful, and I feel a small, mischievous thrill at the barb aimed at Noah.
Gunner pulls me up by the arms and hugs me. “Hey Love,” he kisses my cheek.
Forgetting Noah, I grin at him. “Hi Gun p>
I may have a problem with Noah, but Gunner is nothing but an angel. Always was, always is and I hope he always will be.
“You’re the only one who calls me that,” he says, stepping away, mock–pouting. “And I’m pissed you didn’t tell me I’m going to be an uncle p>
“Sorry, everything’s been…” I glance at Noah. “…a bit overwhelming, given some people’s less–than–stellar attitudes p>
Noah’s fingers curl into fists again, but I’m done giving a shit about him.
“You can make it up to me by making me the godfather,” Gunner winks.
“Done,” I say immediately. He’ll make a great godfather, just like Lilly will make a great godmother.
Gunner’s teasing grin spreads into a wide smile, and I can’t help returning it.
“Am I a wall or something?” Lilly asks, narrowing her eyes at Gunner.
“Sorry, got carried away for a moment,” he says, mimicking her expression, which in turn makes Lilly smile.
For a while, we exist in our own little bubble, ignoring Noah… until he decides to ruin the moment with his bad vibes.
“Gunner, are you done gushing like a fucking pussy over a baby that’s not even born p>
Gunner glares at him, but Noah just rolls his eyes before settling his death stare back on me.
I force myself to breathe, trying to steady the adrenaline pounding in my chest.
Lilly grabs my hand, her grip tight and insistent. “Come on,” she says, her voice fierce. “We’re leaving p>
We say a quick goodbye to Gunner before storming out of the bar, my heart hammering in my chest, every step a mix of relief and lingering tension.
I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking. That look he gave me in the bar… it wasn’t just anger. There was something else there. Maybe he’s wondering why I’m not cowering, why I’m still standing tall. Maybe he’s already planning his next move, deciding how to corner me, to make me bend to his will.
The sounds of the city wash over us as we step into the night. Lilly mutters under her breath, still fuming about Noah’s arrogance, and I let out a small laugh to mask my lingering nerves.
We pause at the curb, and I take a shaky breath, trying to calm my pulse.
“Are you okay?” Lilly asks. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know he’d come here. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I had known p>
“I know that, Lilly,” I tell her. “And don’t worry, I’m fine. He can’t break me, not this time p>
Lilly says something as she tugs me towards her car, but I can’t hear her as my attention is drawn to a masked figure. Everything fades as I lock eyes with him, his eyes so cold they send a shiver down my spine.
“Si p>
I shake my head, pulled back by Lilly’s voice. She has my door open, waiting. I slide in.
She starts the car, and when I glance back across the street, no one is there.
Maybe I’m just imagining things, but I swear he was there and he was staring right at us.