Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Noelle
What did I just do?
I panicked—that’s what happened.
I impulsively confessed to shooting my stepfather.
As my brother and I hide here in Ember Falls, the stakes couldn’t be higher. If we’re caught, I face imprisonment while my brother is forced back to his father’s care. I’d sooner face any fate than allow that to happen.
I abruptly get up, leave the table, and jog upstairs into Torin’s bedroom. After entering, I slam the door closed. “Jesus Christ, Noelle, what in the world were you thinking.” I sit on the edge of the bed and stare at my trembling hands. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and will my racing heart to settle before I send myself into a full-blown panic attack. Now is not the time to lose control. For my sake and Zack’s, I have to remain level-headed. I need a new game plan. Maybe we should leave. My thoughts are scattered all over the place. “Dammit,” I hiss, resting my elbows on my thighs and dropping my head into the palms of my hands. If we leave, Zack will be devastated. I promised we’d stay in Ember Falls. Besides, it’s not like I have the money to leave. I don’t even want to think about how much it will cost to fix my car.
As thoughts of leaving overwhelm me, Torin’s face pops into my head, and an unexpected ache settles deep within my chest. I hardly know the man, but somehow, the thought of never seeing him again has me choking back a sob. Maybe it’s one-sided, but I can feel a connection between us. His eyes soften whenever he looks at me, and the gentle rumble of him calling me baby gives me butterflies. It’s also how he handles my younger brother with so much patience and understanding. Something Zack has never experienced with his own father. I see the spark in his eyes whenever he’s in Torin’s presence. He had no issues settling in so well downstairs, around all the men. It is heartwarming.
I don’t know much about bikers or motorcycle clubs, but everyone operates like a normal family unit should. Torin’s mom is exceptionally welcoming, and her attitude toward us eases my nerves.
A knock on the door interrupts my mental breakdown, and I jump to my feet as Torin enters the bedroom. I scurry over to where my suitcase is lying on the floor and begin rummaging through it, acting as though I am busy. “Hey, I was just about to take a shower.”
Torin remains silent. I peek over my shoulder to see him standing with his hip resting against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His face is relaxed.
“Noelle,” he rumbles my name, and I fight to ignore my body’s reaction.
“After arriving here this morning, I was exhausted and just crashed. I don’t even remember falling asleep,” I tell him. Why? I don’t have a clue. Jesus. Now, I feel like a ramblin’ fool.
“Baby, look at me,” Torin urges.
There it is—the one word that seems to be my undoing. I can’t help it. I do as Torin says, and I look at him. By the way his lip twitches, I’d say he’s amused by my ramblings.
“I got shit to do, but I’ll be back later to pick you up for work.”
I blink up at him. “What?”
“Work, baby. We’re on tonight. Unless you’re not up for it.”
“No!” I rush out. “I mean, I want to work. I need to, actually. I need the money to find Zack and me a place to stay and get my car fixed.” I start to ramble again but stop when I notice Torin has lost the amused look from moments ago.
“We’ll discuss that later.” He stands there, arms crossed and rigid, looking every bit irritated.
Not knowing what to say, I agree, “Oh… okay.” Things turn awkward when Torin continues to stare at me.
Thankfully, after a few seconds, he speaks, “Zack is good. He’s in the kitchen helpin’ Ma make brownies. With a kid around, she’ll be bakin’ shit all day.”
I smile. “Zack has a sweet tooth, so he’ll be in heaven with your mom. Tell her if he gets to be too much to send him up here with me. Can Zack come to hang out with us at the bar tonight? I know it’s not an ideal place for a kid, but it will take me some time to figure out where he stays while I’m on the clock?—”
Torin doesn’t let me finish before he interrupts. “Ma already volunteered to watch him.”
I shake my head. “That’s too much. I can’t let her do that. Zack is a good kid but can also be a handful.”
Torin steps further into the room. “It’s not too much, baby. Ma loves kids. She’ll be disappointed if you decline.”
I can’t help but think about everything that could go wrong. My instincts scream that I need to keep Zack close. As if he sees my internal battle, Torin is at my side, locking eyes with me.
“Nothin’ will happen to your brother. He will be with my mom, but they won’t be alone. One of my men will be with them at all times.” Torin brushes his thumb across my cheek. “You have my word. You and Zack are safe.”
I search Torin’s eyes and find only the truth. Something tells me he means every word. “I trust you,” I admit.
Torin continues to hold me with his palm resting on my face. His gaze is so intense and focused. For a split second, I think he’s going to kiss me. I’m disappointed as his hand drops, and he steps back. “I’ll be back around five to get you.”
I watch him turn and walk out of the bedroom while shaking off my disappointment and breathing deeply. Now is not the time to develop some silly crush on a guy who is probably not even interested.
I snatch a pair of jeans and a sweater from my suitcase and trudge into the bathroom. My focus should be on Zack and keeping him safe. Not some man and wondering whether or not he likes me.
After I shower, I head back downstairs to look for Zack and hear voices from the kitchen, where I find Zack with Torin’s mom. June is wearing an apron with candy canes and little Santa hats, spreading dough with a rolling pin. Nearby, there is an assortment of sprinkles and baking sheets. Zack sits on a stool beside her with a massive grin.
Zack looks at me. “You’re just in time, Nelly. Ms. June is making cookies.”
“I see that,” I say, walking over to my brother and ruffling his hair. “You’re not giving June any trouble down here, are you?”
“Zack has been an absolute delight,” June quickly responds. “Zack helped me with the dishes after breakfast, and as a thank you, I decided to make some sugar cookies.” She picks up a tree-shaped cookie cutter and hands it to Zack. “Think you can handle this part?”
“Sure.” Zack hops down from the stool.
While Zack is cutting out tree-shaped cookie dough, June wipes her hands on a dish towel as she walks around the counter toward me. “I’m unsure if my son talked to you, but I hoped Zack could hang out with me today. The community center is hosting an event for the kids in the town square. There will be candy cane bingo, donut decorating, and a gingerbread house contest. I thought Zack might have a good time.”
I look over June’s shoulder at my brother, holding his hands up in a plea while giving me puppy-dog eyes, and I smile. “Well, I guess that’s okay. As long as you’re sure.” I eye her wearily.
June beams. “I’m positive. It’s been years since I’ve attended the kid’s Christmas events. They’re a tradition in Ember Falls. Torin used to love Christmas when he was a child.” June gets a faraway look in her eyes. “Oh, how I miss having little ones around.” She returns to Zack and starts placing the dough on the cookie sheet. “I keep telling that son of mine I’m not getting any younger, and I’d like to have a few grandbabies running around while I still have the energy to chase after them.” As soon as those words leave her mouth, June cocks her head to the side and gives me a wink.
What the heck was that?
I do not want to analyze the whole look and wink, so I ignore it. “Well, I think I will hang out upstairs until Torin picks me up for work.” I look at my brother. “Hey, buddy. How about you come with me and get cleaned up before going out with Ms. June for the day.”
Zack peers down at his shirt, which is now covered in flour. “Good idea.”
Once upstairs, I help my brother clean up. I use a rag to gently wipe away some flour from his cheek while being mindful of his bruises. “Your face is looking much better today.”
He nods. “Yeah, it doesn’t hurt so much anymore.”
I hate how vulnerable his voice sounds at the admission.
“Never again,” I whisper, swiping the cloth against his cheek again. “I promise.” When Zack doesn’t say anything, I look into his eyes. “You believe me, don’t you? I won’t let anything like this happen ever again .”
He nods and whispers back, “I believe you, Noelle.” He’s quiet for a beat before adding, “And now we have Eazy and the club. You heard him say that you and I are safe here.”
I zone out for a moment.
“Do you believe him, Noelle?” Zack asks.
I sigh but have no doubts about Torin’s promise. “Yeah, I do.”
“I like it here, Nelly,” Zack confides.
I wrap my arms around my brother and kiss his head. “Me too, buddy. Me too.”