29. Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Anastasia
H is door is unlocked.
My hand trembles as I turn the knob, my body moments away from breaking under the weight of everything that’s happened tonight.
If they get what they want, if Jake, Walker, and Cole succeed, not only will I be arrested for a murder I didn’t commit, but Noah… Noah will be trapped in a life he never wanted. A life of crime, of control, of being nothing more than a pawn in his brother’s sick game.
And if they don’t throw him under the bus for us?
Then they’ll bury him another way.
We’re backed into a corner. Everything around us is imploding, the walls closing in faster than I can think.
And the Briars? What fucking grief do Cole and the others have with them?
I know Roman Briar is a powerful man, but how powerful? Enough to be a real threat to someone as twisted as Noah’s brother? What business is he really in?
Does Mrs. Briar know?
Lost in thought, I step inside, barely registering the relief of not seeing Walker’s car in the parking lot.
Then I stop.
My breath catches in my throat.
Noah’s apartment is filled with flowers.
Dozens of roses, their colors deep and varied, line the room, breathing life into the usually bleak space. Candles flicker, their soft glow casting warm shadows along the walls, the scent of wax and petals intertwining. The fireplace crackles, its roaring flames a stark contrast to the chaos clawing at my mind.
Cautiously, I move toward the couch.
And then I see it.
A note.
Lying on the table, waiting for me.
My heart fractures and mends all at once as I pick it up, hands unsteady as I read.
My fingers tighten around the note, my chest rising and falling in uneven breaths.
Noah isn’t just telling me the truth.
He’s choosing me.
Even with everything crumbling around us, he’s choosing me.
"I didn’t know if you’d ever see it," Noah whispers, his voice drifting from behind me, low and uncertain. "Didn’t know if I’d ever share those words with you tonight."
I turn slowly, my pulse thudding in my ears.
He stands in the doorway, watching me, his expression unreadable as he reaches back to latch the door shut.
"A-all of this-" I gesture weakly at the room, at the flowers, at everything.
"I guessed," Noah murmurs. "Guessed I’d see you tonight. Guessed you’d want me as much as I fucking wanted you."
He drops his things onto the floor, his body heavy with exhaustion, yet he still moves toward me, each step slow, deliberate.
"The flowers?" I whisper.
His throat bobs, eyes dark with something raw, something real. "A petal for every second I spent wishing you were with me those two months."
The confession sinks into me like a weight, pressing against my ribs, making it harder to breathe.
Then he’s there, in front of me, wrapping his arms around my waist, his body pressing into mine as if he’s afraid to let go. His mouth brushes against the side of my head, his breath warm against my skin.
I melt into him.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I let him lift me, let myself fold into his embrace, grounding myself in the way he holds me like he never wants to put me down.
"Are they going to hurt us?" I whisper, voice trembling. "Is Jake going to hurt us?"
Noah’s grip tightens. "No," he breathes. "No one is touching you. No one is getting near us. Jake made a big fucking mistake-"
I swallow hard. "I called Cole tonight."
His entire body stills.
"H-he and Walker… they’re in on all of this."
Noah doesn’t speak. He just holds me closer, his fingers digging into my skin as though he can’t believe it either.
Then, after a long beat, he exhales sharply.
"There’s something you need to know about Levi," he murmurs. "And Cole."
I pull back just enough to meet his eyes. Our noses graze, breaths tangling, the weight of unspoken truths sitting heavy between us.
But I know, whatever he’s about to tell me is about to change everything.
"That boy, Levi. Do you know why he was riding his bike that late at night?"
I shake my head, my throat too tight to speak.
Noah exhales, his expression darkening. "His parents... they were clients of Roman Briar. Moles. Ex-cartel who joined Catalyst, Roman’s company, to wiretap my brother’s drug deal."
"Catalyst?"
His jaw clenches. "Human trafficking, drugs, dark web affairs, anything the government doesn’t want its hands in. Roman was hired years ago by an old associate. No one knows his real name, but he goes by Echo. Echo runs things from Idlewood, where Eden grew up, while Roman handles affairs here in Spokehaven."
A chill runs down my spine.
"Cole mentioned the Briars," I whisper. "I know he has ties to your brother, but what does Levi have to do with any of this?"
Noah’s eyes darken. "Levi saw something he wasn’t supposed to. He witnessed my brother and Walker take out a loose end during that deal. His parents swore he was away for the night, so their house was supposed to be secure. But he must’ve come back early."
My breath catches.
"Cole was already desperate for money. Walker was going against his parents’ wishes by dipping into the Antonov family business. He wanted to prove himself to Jake, to show his loyalty. And so did his friend."
Noah swallows hard. "Levi slipped away on his bike. Walker saw it. Instead of warning Levi’s parents, Walker took matters into his own hands."
My stomach churns.
"That night," I whisper, the pieces clicking together like jagged glass. "Cole got a call-"
"Walker," Noah confirms. "Telling Cole to handle the boy so they could both secure their place with Jake."
I feel like I can’t breathe.
"When he hit Levi-"
"It was planned," Noah murmurs, his voice thick. "My guess? He was shoving your head down to stop you from grabbing the wheel. To keep you from stopping him."
The realization crashes over me like a tidal wave. My lips tremble as I take it all in.
"Did you know?" I whisper, barely able to get the words out.
Noah’s eyes glisten with unshed tears. "No." His voice is raw, broken. "I detached from my family months after my father died. Ana, I won’t lie to you. There’s blood on my hands. I had no idea what was really happening, how fucked up it all was. I tried to get away, to start over... then I met you."
His hands tighten around me, like he’s trying to ground himself in the weight of my presence.
"I knew Jake let me come here. Not because he couldn’t find me, but because he had me exactly where he wanted me. Getting closer to the Briars was never part of my plan. But in his sick, twisted mind, he assumed he could pin all of this on you and use you as leverage to pull me back in."
He swallows, his forehead nearly pressing against mine.
"I wasn’t a good person before you, Ana," he whispers. "But everything after you? It changed me."
I search his face, my chest aching.
"Then why go back?" I whisper. "Why leave me for two months?"
His eyes darken with something unreadable.
"To learn all of this. To see how much Jake really knew... and to find a way to tip Roman Briar off. The only way I could protect you and speak to him was to go back. Jake had to believe I was helping pin this on you. But now, after tonight, I'm running on a ticking clock."
I glance around the room, my eyes landing on the flowers, the candles, the flickering light of the fireplace.
It all hits me.
"Yet you still found time to do all of this?" I whisper, voice barely above a breath.
Noah’s fingers skim my cheek, his gaze burning into mine.
"You needed to know," he murmurs. "How much I need you."
"Do you need me right now, Noah?" I whisper, my lips hovering close to his, teasing.
His breath is uneven, his body rigid against mine. "Desperately."
Good," I murmur, brushing my lips along his jaw. "Because right now, the only thing I want is for you to touch me like you did in that bathroom… and make me forget, just for a second, what our reality is."
I move to his ear, my voice nothing but a sultry whisper.
"Fuck me like you love me, Noah."
That’s all it takes.
A sharp growl rumbles from his chest as his hands clamp onto my ass, lifting me effortlessly, hoisting my legs around his waist. There’s nothing careful about the way he carries me, his steps full of purpose and hunger.
He throws me onto the bed, my body bouncing against the mattress, breath hitching as he spreads my thighs apart, his hands gripping my flesh possessively. But just as he reaches to rip my dress open, I press the sharp point of my heel against his shoulder, stopping him.
His dark eyes flick to mine, burning, questioning.
"Beg, Noah," I whisper, my voice dripping with control. "You’re still earning me back. So beg for it."
His mouth curls into a sinful smirk, amusement flickering behind his hunger.
Lowering himself, he presses his lips to the inside of my thigh, slow, deliberate.
"For you, Ana?" he murmurs against my skin. "I’d beg until my voice gives out." He nips at my flesh, sending shivers racing through me. "But right now, I want to hear you beg for me to ram my cock inside of you."
I barely get the chance to react before his hands tighten in the fabric of my dress.
With one swift, aggressive pull, he rips it apart, the sound sharp, thrilling, sending a rush straight to my core. The torn fabric flutters to the side, leaving me exposed in nothing but my underwear, my body burning beneath his heated gaze.
His hardened length drags along my stomach as he leans over me, still trapped behind his pants, teasing, tormenting.
I reach for him, craving him, but he’s faster.
Grabbing the back of his shirt, he yanks it off in one swift motion before shoving me back down by my throat, pinning me to the mattress.
"Not so fast, baby," he rasps, his grip tightening just enough to make my breath hitch. "You wanted me to beg? Then let’s see how long you last before you’re the one begging for me."
Reaching for his discarded tie on the floor, my fingers barely graze the silk before Noah’s grip locks around my wrist.
"Not so fast," he murmurs, amusement laced in his voice.
In one smooth motion, he coils the tie tightly around my wrists, securing them together with expert precision. Then, without warning, he tugs, dragging me with him as he leans back against the headboard.
My pulse pounds as he settles into position, his legs spread wide, his presence commanding.
Then his hands move to his belt.
My breath catches, mouth watering as he tugs his pants down, his cock springing free...thick, hard, already leaking for me.
He nestles me between his legs, the heat of his body searing against my skin as he lifts my bound wrists, tying them to the headboard.
Trapped.
Pinned.
My hands are completely useless, held high and out of reach, while my body is pressed firmly against him, his cock rubbing against the small of my back, teasing me with its heat, its promise.
"How wet are you, princess?" he murmurs, trailing his hands over my breasts, his thumbs circling my nipples before pinching them between his fingers.
I gasp, back arching, only for his lips to latch onto my neck, sucking, biting, marking me.
"How ready is that pretty pussy to take another pounding from me?" His voice is thick with hunger, his hands drifting lower, over my stomach, his fingers teasing just above my core.
I writhe against him, desperate for more, for him.
"Do you know how bad I want to hear you scream my name?"
The second his fingers brush against my clit, my whole body jolts. He circles it slowly, dangerously, applying just enough pressure to make me whimper but not enough to give me what I need.
"How badly I want you to beg for me to stretch you out again?"
Then, without mercy, he plunges his fingers inside me.
I cry out, head falling back against his shoulder as he thrusts deep, stretching me, working me open, curling his fingers just right, knowing exactly how to tear me apart.
The slick, wet sounds of my arousal echo in the room, mingling with my breathless moans. Behind me, his cock twitches, precum smearing against my back, the evidence of his own desperation making my thighs clench.
"So, Ana?" he taunts, his voice dark and full of promise. "How bad do you want it?"
Pleasure courses through me, my body burning, my mind fogged with nothing but him.
I smirk, rolling my hips against his fingers, letting the bliss consume me.
"I don’t know," I purr, my voice dripping with challenge. "How bad do you want to fuck me?"
"Let’s see," he murmurs darkly, his thrusts slamming deeper, harder, sending shockwaves of pleasure through me.
"I’d love to fuck you so hard you’re dripping down my cock," he growls, his voice rough, possessive.
His fingers slip out, only to be replaced by his hands hooking beneath my thighs, spreading me wider, forcing me open.
"Completely-"
He reaches down, guiding his thick length to my aching entrance, the swollen head stretching me, teasing me, making me whimper.
"Under my-"
My breath catches as the tip pushes in, forcing my walls to part, my body molding around him in the most delicious way.
"Control," he growls, holding me firmly in his grasp as he lowers me down onto him, his cock sinking in deep, filling me inch by inch until I can’t breathe.
I cry out, my arms still strapped above my head, my legs helpless in his grip.
Pinned.
At his mercy.
Noah doesn’t hesitate, he owns me, thrusting up as he bounces me on his cock, using his strength to slam me down, meeting each stroke with punishing precision.
Gasps and moans tumble from my lips, my body nothing but pleasure, my breasts bouncing with each ruthless movement.
"How does it feel?" he purrs against my ear, his voice dripping with control. "To have my cock so deep inside you, you can’t even speak?"
I try, fuck, I try, but all that comes out are broken, incoherent sounds.
He pounds into me harder, making sure I can’t answer, making sure all I can do is take it.
Take him.
Noah ruthlessly pounds into me, his grip unrelenting, his hands working me up and down with a force that has my moans unraveling into screams. Each thrust is punishing, brutal, sending shockwaves of pleasure tearing through me as the sound of skin meeting skin fills the air.
"Just like that, Princess," he growls against my ear, his teeth sinking into my neck, biting, marking, owning. "Just fucking like that."
"Noah-" I gasp, my body tightening around him, teetering on the edge. "I-I don’t know how much longer-"
Suddenly, he stops.
The loss is abrupt, devastating.
"Then you’re just where I want you."
Before I can process it, he’s undoing the tie around my wrists, grabbing the back of my neck, forcing me off his lap and onto the mattress. His palm presses between my shoulder blades, shoving me down until my cheek meets the sheets, my ass raised, exposed, completely at his mercy.
A sharp smack lands against my skin, making me jolt.
I whimper.
"Did that hurt, Ana?" he scoffs, amusement laced with something darker. "Dirty fucking whore."
Another slap.
This time, I moan.
"My dirty fucking whore."
The sensation of something warm drips down my folds, trailing lower, spreading between my cheeks. My body tenses as I hear him rummage in the bedside drawer, my breath hitching when I feel something cold and silicone press against my entrance, teasing, testing.
His voice drops, rough and possessive.
"You, Ana," he growls, "are taking it in both holes tonight."
Fuck me.
His grip tightens, forcing my thighs apart as he presses the toy inside me, slow, unyielding, stretching me open.
A deep moan rips from my throat, my body instinctively arching, needing more.
"Your pretty pussy gets this," he murmurs, sliding it in deeper, my walls clenching around the intrusion.
His cock nudges against my ass, the tip smearing precum as he grips my hips, spreading me wide.
"And your ass?" he rasps, voice dripping with dark hunger. "Well, that’s all for me."
He’s really about to fuck my ass.
And fuck, I think I’m going to love it.
Working the toy in and out of me, he spits once more, the warmth trailing between my cheeks, slicking my skin. He guides himself closer, the thick head of his cock pressing teasingly against my tightest entrance.
I whimper, body tensing in anticipation.
"I’ll go slow, baby," he murmurs, his voice dark, "but you won’t want me to."
"N-Noah-"
My words are gone the second he pushes forward.
His cock stretches me inch by inch, filling me in a way that has my back arching, my teeth sinking into his sheets. My body screams with pleasure, overwhelmed by the fullness, the relentless toy still working my soaking cunt while his cock claims the last part of me untouched by him.
His hips push forward slowly, until he's seated to the hilt, his body flush against my ass, stretching me so wide I feel him in my throat.
Then he moves.
A slow, torturous rhythm, fucking into my ass while the toy thrusts in time with him, leaving me no room to breathe, no space to think.
I scream into the mattress, fists gripping the sheets, my body trembling as he pounds into me.
"Fucking hell-" I cry out, overwhelmed, taken, filled to the brim.
"That’s right, baby," Noah groans, his grip tightening on my waist. "Look at me, filling both of your holes."
He pounds harder.
"You dirty-" Deeper, making me shatter.
"Fucking-" Faster, wrecking me completely.
"Slut."
I’m gone.
"By the time you’re done, Noah," I sob, my body convulsing with pleasure, "I better be bleeding."
That’s all it takes.
A vicious moan tears from his throat as his thrusts turn brutal, erratic. Heat pours into me as he spills inside, his body locked to mine, filling me with every drop of his release. The toy is soaked with my pleasure, dripping as he rips it free from my body, only to pull out and slam back into my aching cunt, wringing every last ounce of pleasure from me.
A rough hand fists into my hair, yanking me up, forcing me against his chest.
"See that, Ana?" he whispers, holding the bloodstained, cum-slick toy before us both, his breath ragged against my ear. "With me, you bleed like a virgin."
I shudder, my lips curling into a wicked smile.
"Yeah?" I purr, snatching the toy from his grip. "Then clean it up."
I climb onto him, straddling his lap, hovering the toy by his lips. His dark eyes burn into mine as he obeys, his tongue dragging over the silicone, licking it clean with slow, shameless strokes, devouring every last drop of our mixed release.
When he’s finished, I toss it aside, his hands immediately curling around my waist, owning me once again. His lips find my neck, my body molding into his as his grip tightens.
Because no matter what, I belong to him.
Noah wraps me in his arms, his warmth sinking into my skin as our lips find each other again. His hands fumble for the blanket, pulling it over us, shielding our bare bodies from the chill creeping into the room.
I nuzzle into his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath against me, our foreheads pressing together as the adrenaline from everything we just did begins to fade.
"I-I don’t think," I whisper between gasps, "I can do that twice in a row again."
A breathless chuckle rumbles through his chest. "Maybe a safe word should have been discussed," he murmurs, his cheeks flushing crimson.
I blink.
Is Noah Antonov actually embarrassed?
A teasing grin tugs at my lips. "Safe word, hmm?" I hum, trailing my fingers along his collarbone. "How about... Teacher’s Pet?"
His brows arch as a laugh escapes him. "Teacher’s Pet?" he repeats, shaking his head. "Pretty fond of yourself, aren’t you?"
"What can I say?" I smirk, only for him to cut me off with another kiss, hot and possessive, his lips dragging along my neck.
I let my fingers thread through his hair, grounding myself in the way he feels, the way he holds me so close like he never wants to let go.
But then, reality seeps in.
My smile fades. My grip tightens slightly in his hair.
"Noah," I whisper.
"Hmm?" he hums against my jaw, pressing soft kisses along the curve.
I take a breath, my voice quieter now. "This is the first time I’ve felt safe since you left."
He stills.
Slowly, he pulls back, his dark eyes locking onto mine, searching, serious.
And in that moment, I know, whatever happens next, whatever comes for us…
Noah won’t let me face it alone.
"I’ll figure something out, Ana," Noah whispers, his voice low, steady, a promise woven into every word. "No one is going to hurt you."
I want to believe him. God, I want to. But my body trembles against his, my lips parting as a shaky breath escapes.
"How do you know?" I whisper, my voice barely holding together, my lip quivering.
His arms tighten around me.
"Because," he murmurs, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to my forehead. "I love you. And anyone willing to threaten the woman I love? They’re already dead."
Something about the way he says it, so final...so sure, makes me believe him.
And for the first time in two months, sleep finally finds me.
Nestled in the arms of the one man who makes me feel truly alive.