Chapter 13
“Or I’ll break every finger you used to point at her.” Nolan’s voice was soft, deadly. “Then I’ll start getting creative.”
The color drained from their faces as they spun around. Nolan towered over them, his green eyes glacial. The casual charm was gone, replaced by something that made even my blood run cold.
“We didn’t know she was with anyone-” the tall one stammered.
“That shouldn’t matter.” Nolan’s hand shot
out, gripping the guy’s collar. “Apologize.
Now.”
“S–sorry miss!” They practically tripped over themselves backing away.
“If I see you near her again…” Nolan let the threat hang in the air. They fled, nearly running into a display in their haste to
escape.
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My heart thundered in my chest, but I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Thank you.” The words came out softer than I intended, my voice shaky.
The dangerous glint in his eyes melted away, replaced by warmth that caught me off guard. “You’re welcome.” He
straightened his leather jacket. “Remember that surprise I mentioned earlier?”
I nodded, still rattled from everything that had happened.
“Come with me first.” He gestured toward the elevator. “There’s something you need. to see on the top floor.”
The elevator ride was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Nolan’s presence beside. me felt… steady. Safe. The doors opened to reveal a sprawling food court with floor–to- ceiling windows overlooking the city.
“Beautiful view, isn’t it?” Nolan’s lips curved into a smile. “But that’s not why we’re here.” He turned to face me fully. “Emma, this
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entire mall? It’s yours.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Your brother bought it. The deed’s in your
name.”
My mouth went dry. The mall? Mine? I gripped the railing, staring at the glittering expanse below. Yesterday flashed through my mind the gunshot, Adam’s cold face as he fired into the already–dead body.
We hadn’t spoken since. The weight of years of silence hung between us,’ punctuated by that single violent moment.
“But… why?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.
Nolan’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then held it out to me. “Speaking of your brother…”
My hands trembled as I took the phone.
“Hello?”
“Emma.” Adam’s voice was warm, a stark contrast to yesterday’s tension. “Did Nolan
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show you?”
“The mall? Adam, I don’t understand-”
“Do you like it?” There was an eagerness in
his tone I hadn’t heard since we were kids. “I know it’s not much, but I wanted you to have something stable. Something that’s yours alone.”
I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, watching people move like ants below. “Not much? Adam, this is… this is insane. We’ve barely talked in years and now…”
“I know.” He paused. “Consider it nine years. of missed birthdays and Christmases. Plus interest.”
A laugh bubbled up, half–hysterical. “That’s not how this works.”
“It is now. The papers are already signed. It’s yours, no strings attached.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “But Adam… all I really want
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is to spend time with my big brother again. We’ve lost so many years.”
”
“Emma, I-” His voice softened. “I’m sorry. I’m in Italy right now on business. I’ll be back in a couple of days, I promise we’ll-”
The crack of gunfire exploded through the phone. My heart leaped into my throat. “Adam? Adam!”
“It’s fine.” His voice changed, turning to ice. Gone was my gentle brother – this was someone else entirely. “Just dealing with some dogs who thought they could stand against me.”
More shots rang out. I gripped the phone tighter, my knuckles white.
“You see, little sister,” Adam continued, his tone eerily calm against the backdrop of violence, “sometimes people need to learn their place. And right now, I’m teaching these mutts exactly where they belong.”
A scream pierced the background, cut short by another gunshot.
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“Adam, what are you-”
“Just finishing up here.” The cold satisfaction in his voice sent chills down my spine. “These dogs won’t be bothering anyone again.”
I caught Nolan watching me, his expression unreadable. My hands shook as I held the phone, trying to reconcile this stranger’s voice with memories of my protective older brother.
“I’ll see you soon, Emma.” Adam’s voice softened again, though the chill lingered. “Nolan will take care of everything until I return. Trust him like you’d trust me.”
The line went dead. I stared at the phone, my mind spinning with questions.
“He means well.” Nolan gently took his phone back. “Your brother would do anything to protect you.”
“By having you babysit me?”
“By making sure you’re safe.” He leaned
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against the railing. “And I promised him I
would.”
My fingers traced patterns on the cool glass. “Do I have a choice?”
“Always.” His green eyes met mine. “But I hope you’ll let me help.”
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