Chapter 18
Norri
The moonlight streamed in through the window, casting long shadows across the bedroom floor, painting the walls with bars of silver light and darkness. I lay awake beside Gali, my mind racing, my thoughts swirling around the mysterious visitor from earlier. I hadn't seen his face, but couldn't shake his sudden visit. It was like my body was telling me I was missing something about it.
Gali slept peacefully next to me, his breaths even and steady. I envied his ability to find rest without much difficulty. Not that sleep had ever come easy for me. Especially not since Gali returned and I knew that El Lobo was still out there. Not with the constant worry gnawing at the back of my mind, the unanswered questions that refused to leave me alone.
That 'friend' of Gali's hadn't seemed like any friend I'd ever met. There had been an air of menace about him, from the silhouette I'd seen through the vehicle's windows, a coldness in his eyes that spoke of violence and danger. I could practically feel it radiating off him. Whatever business Gali had going on with him couldn't be good. It couldn't be anything friendly.
Gali shifted, rolling onto his back, disturbing the sheet draped loosely around his waist. A sliver of moonlight caught on something shiny tucked beneath his pillow. My curiosity piqued, I reached out slowly, careful not to wake him as I pulled back the corner of the pillow. My fingers brushed against cold metal, and I recognized the familiar shape of a gun.
A gun hidden under his pillow. What did that mean? Was he expecting trouble? Did he think we were in danger? I mean, danger lurked around every corner, but keeping a gun right under his pillow? That felt like too much — especially since he hadn’t even mentioned it to me.
My mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last. Maybe he was still working with the Nightshade Wolves after all. Or, even worse, maybe this had something to do with El Lobo Negro. Maybe he hadn't truly cut ties with his past after all. I wouldn't blame him if he hadn't. I would blame him for lying to me, though.
I chewed at my lower lip, anxiety clawing at me from the inside. I didn't want to believe it, didn't want to think that Gali could lie to me like that. But what else explained why he'd been so secretive, so vague about who that man really was. I should pressed the issue further, even though Gali had looked a little annoyed.
I stole a glance at Gali, his face softened in sleep, looking almost boyishly innocent in the dim light. How much of him did I really know? Could I trust him without giving in to doubt?
He sighed in his sleep, turning towards me slightly. Automatically, my body gravitated closer, seeking warmth and comfort. I felt torn and conflicted. Part of me yearned to reach out, to touch him, to lose myself in the warmth of his embrace. But another part held me back, hesitant, uncertain. It knew doing that would be a mistake.
What if I touched him, and he woke up? Would he wake up and pull me close, holding me as he always did? Or would he wake up angry, defensive, lashing out at the intrusion?
I hated feeling this way, unsure, mistrustful. This wasn't how I wanted things to be between us. But I needed answers. And until then, I couldn't just pretend nothing was wrong.
I closed my eyes, willing sleep to claim me. But all I found was tossing and turning, my mind churning with doubt, my heart aching with worry and confusion.
Just as my eyelids grew heavy, and my breath began to deepen, Gali shifted beside me. I opened my eyes just in time to see him swing his legs out of bed, moving without making any noise in the darkness.
"What are you doing?"I whispered, propping myself up on my elbow, watching as he pulled on a pair of jeans and grabbed his gun from its hiding spot under the pillow."Where are you going?"
Gali paused, looking over his shoulder at me. His expression was hard to read in the moonlight, but I thought I saw guilt flash across his face before he masked it. He was indeed hiding something from me. That much I knew.
"I can't sleep,"he murmured, avoiding my gaze."I'm just gonna... go get some fresh air." His answer couldn't have sounded more fake.
I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes."At midnight? Without telling me?"
Gali sighed, running a hand through his hair."Norri, I don't want to argue right now. I just need some fresh air, okay? I'll be back soon."
He moved towards the door, but I shot out of bed, grabbing his arm before he could leave.I had to do something before it was too late.
"Wait,"I insisted, my grip tight."Tell me what's going on, Gali. Who was here earlier?"
Gali hesitated, his muscles tensing beneath my grasp. I could see the lie forming behind his eyes before he spoke."It was just someone from work, Norri. An old colleague checking in on me."
I arched an eyebrow, unconvinced by his explanation."Work? You haven't worked for them in months, Gali. Why would they suddenly show up here?"
After we moved in here, he'd found work, but things didn’t work out for him there.
Gali's jaw tightened, a muscle twitching."It's complicated, Norri. You wouldn't understand."
I let go of his arm, stepping back as if burned."Try me,"I challenged."Explain it to me."
Gali hesitated before sighing, his shoulders slumping."Look, it doesn't matter, okay? He just wanted to talk about some stuff, that's all. Nothing for you to worry about."
His vagueness only served to fuel my suspicion."Business? With your gun tucked into your waistband?"I gestured to the weapon peeking from the waistband of his jeans. I'd seen it when his 'friend' was just leaving, too."You expect me to believe that? Gali, I deserve the truth."
Gali's expression darkened."And what if I don't want you involved in this?"
I bristled, anger flaring within me."Involved? I'm your mate! I deserve to know what's happening, especially when it involves dangerous men showing up at our house!"
Gali stepped forward, his voice dropping to a low growl."This isn't about you being involved, Norri. It's about keeping you safe."
"And leaving me in the dark keeps me safe? Keeping secrets puts me in danger too, Gali!"I shot back.
Gali closed the distance between us, taking both of my hands in his."Listen to me, Norri. Some things are better left unknown."
I shook my head, pulling my hands away."I won't stand for this, Gali. If you're hiding something important, I want to know. We're supposed to trust each other."
He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face."And we do, but you don't need to know everything I do."
"And I want to trust you, Gali! I do, but I can't just blindly believe everything you tell me. Not after... not after everything we've been through."My voice broke, the memories of my time in the cartel's clutches, my fears of what Gali might be keeping from me, threatening to drown me. I clutched at my hair, tugging at the roots in my frustration.
Gali ran a hand through his dark locks, his eyes never leaving mine."Fucking hell, Norri,"he hissed,"Why can't you just let it go? Why do you always have to push? Really, the only thing I'm trying to do is protect you and nothing else."
"From what, Gali?"I challenged, my voice rising."From you, it seems like! Or at least from the truth! Why won't you tell me who was here?"
"Enough,"Gali growled, his hands clenching into fists at his sides."You don't understand, Norri."
"Make me understand, then!"I snapped, my frustration boiling over."Talk to me! I'm your mate, Gali. Your partner. You shouldn't keep things from me!"
All of a sudden, Orion started to fuss in his crib, his cry piercing the tension between us. I froze, looking towards his crib. I could see Gali hesitate for a moment before he sighed heavily.
"Just... just leave it, Norri,"Gali said, running a hand down his face.
I glared at him, anger coursing through me."No! I won't leave it! I won't be ignored anymore. Not by you."I turned on my heel and stalked off to Orion's crib. I scooped him up gently, cradling him in my arms. He whimpered, his little face scrunched up, tears welling in his big eyes. I rocked him, cooing softly, swaying back and forth until his cries subsided. Gali watched us, his expression softening as he looked at his son.
"You can't just ignore this, Gali,"I whispered to him, continuing to sway with Orion,"I want to know what's really going on."
Gali hesitated before taking a few steps toward me. I stood my ground, defiant. I knew he wanted me to drop it, but I couldn't.
"I... I can't tell you, Norri,"Gali started, his voice heavy with some hidden meaning.
"You can't or you won't?"I challenged him, holding Orion closer as he fidgeted, sensing the tension. Babies could sense stuff like this, even though they couldn't understand what was going on.
I couldn't stand seeing Gali shut me out. It hurt more than I could express."Gali, this isn't right. Keeping things from me is killing me. You have to tell me the truth."
Gali's eyes flashed with sudden frustration. He moved to me in two strides, grabbing my shoulders, his grip firm.He'd never been violent to me like this.
"Because, damn it, I don't want you to be afraid,"he said through gritted teeth."Because I don't want you to die. Not after everything. Don't you get it, Norri? I just want to protect you."His eyes pleaded with me, a vulnerability in their dark depths."That's all I want. For us."
His words resonated with me, echoing something in my chest, a yearning. I wanted the same, but I couldn't let that blind me from the truth, could I?
"I know,"I said softly,"but you can't shield me from everything, Gali. And you shouldn't have to."I sighed."Just tell me the truth."
Gali looked away, releasing my shoulders."It's... complicated. You would hate me even more than you already do."
Orion fidgeted in my arms, squirming against my hold. Gali looked down at him, his expression softening.
"I'll take him,"he murmured, his voice gentler now, reaching for our son.
I passed him, reluctantly. Gali held our baby close, his gaze fixed on our child. Orion immediately quietened, cooing at the contact, reaching for Gali's face.
"He's got your eyes," Gali murmured, glancing down at him, a soft smile tugging at his lips. When he looked at me, the warmth in his gaze faded. "He looks just like you." Then, turning back to our son, he added, "You know what they say, son — 'Never lie to your husband.'" His eyes flicked back to mine. He called me 'husband,' even though we hadn’t married yet.
I sighed. I hated that he was avoiding answering me, but the moment was broken now, the chance lost."That's not what they say at all,"I countered, looking pointedly at Gali, hoping to prod him back to the issue. Gali just shrugged, rocking Orion without seeming phased by my words.
"Whatever it takes,"Gali murmured to Orion,"you take care of him."
"Don't try to change the subject, Gali,"I interrupted, frustration mounting inside me."What are you hiding? Who was that man leaving?"
He looked up from Orion, his face closing off."I already told you. An old friend, that's all."
I shook my head."Bullshit,"I said quietly."I won't let you brush me off. Who was here, Gali? Someone dangerous? A... an old... someone from before?"