Chapter 18
I stared at my phone, hands shaking. The warmth from my moment with Nolan evaporated, replaced by ice in my veins. What did Ethan mean about Adam being in danger?
The threat in his voice had been real. Whatever game he was playing, he meant. every word.
I set my phone down, my fingers trembling. Ethan’s words echoed through my mind – Adam was in danger. My brother. After all these years apart, I couldn’t let anything happen to him.
My chest tightened. I couldn’t tell anyone, not even Nolan. The information would get back to Adam through him. The thought of Nolan’s concerned face made my stomach twist. I had to handle this myself.
Tomorrow. I needed to meet with Ethan tomorrow, find out what this was about.
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But I’d need an excuse to get away…
The door clicked open and Nolan stepped in, his green eyes landing on me. The
intensity of his gaze made me want to confess everything, but I pushed the urge down.
“Hey.” My voice came out shaky. I cleared my throat. “I’ve been sitting here thinking and I’m just… so stressed. I can’t get my mind off everything.” Not entirely a lie. “Would you… would you take me to the mall again? I need a distraction.”
Nolan’s brow furrowed. He shifted his weight, conflict clear on his face. I knew he was thinking about the danger, about Adam’s instructions to keep me safe.
“Please?” I added softly. “Just for a little
while.”
He ran a hand through his dark hair, then nodded slowly. “Alright. But we stick together, no wandering off.”
“Of course.” The guilt of my deception
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burned in my throat. But I had no choice. Whatever Ethan was involved in, whatever threat he posed to my brother, I had to find out. And I had to do it alone.
The next day, the setting sun painted the city in shades of amber as Nolan and I headed to the mall. My stomach churned with guilt every time I caught his green eyes watching me, protective and caring. His confession from yesterday played in my mind – ten years of carrying feelings for me, watching from afar. The tenderness in his voice when he’d told me still made my heart flutter.
“You okay?” Nolan’s hand brushed my lower back as we walked through the mall entrance. “You seem distracted.”
“Just processing everything.” I managed a weak smile.
We wandered past storefronts, but I barely registered the displays. Nolan stayed close,
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his tall frame a constant presence at my side. His vigilance, usually comforting, now felt suffocating. I needed to get away, to meet Ethan, to save my brother – but Nolan’s watchful gaze never wavered.
After an hour of browsing, I spotted my chance. “I need to use the restroom,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual.
Nolan’s eyes scanned the area before he nodded. “I’ll wait right here.”
My heels clicked against the tile as I walked to the ladies‘ room, feeling his gaze on my back. Inside, I checked the stalls were empty before pulling out my phone. Ethan’s message glowed on the screen: “Food court. 15 minutes.”
I pressed my ear to the door, listening. Nolan would be standing guard, just as promised. My hands trembled as I pulled out my compact mirror and checked
around the corner. There the service
–
corridor exit, just as I’d remembered from previous visits.
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Guilt crashed over me as I slipped through the door. Nolan had trusted me, protected me, cared for me. But Adam’s life was at stake. I had no choice.
My phone buzzed again. Another text from Ethan: “Emergency exit by the loading dock. Now.”
The service corridor stretched ahead, dim fluorescent lights casting shadows. My heels echoed against concrete as I hurried past stacks of cardboard boxes and metal shelving. The red exit sign glowed at the end of the hall.
I pushed the bar and stepped into the evening sun. The loading dock was deserted, delivery trucks long gone for the day. Wind whipped my hair as I scanned the empty lot.
A screech of tires. Before I could turn, rough hands grabbed me from behind. I tried to scream but a cloth pressed over my mouth, dark fabric blocking my vision. My legs kicked uselessly as they hauled me up.
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Metal doors slammed. An engine revved. The van lurched forward, throwing me against the floor. Through the darkness, cruel laughter cut the air.
“You really are as naive as they say.”
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