17. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
Noah
Once the police leave and the tension of the night settles into a strange silence, I decide to take Blossom somewhere quiet and safe.
She’s still shaken from Zack’s intrusion, and I can see the weight of the fear in her shoulders, in the way she’s holding herself as we step outside. I gently place a hand on her back, guiding her to my car, but I can’t shake the anger that’s bubbling inside me.
My mind is racing with thoughts of Zack, of how I didn’t get a chance to beat the shit out of him like I should have, and, even worse, of what could have happened if I hadn’t been there.
My car’s engine hums to life, but my grip on the wheel is tight and stiff, almost painful. “We’re going to the hotel,” I say, trying to steady my voice, though I’m still pissed. “You’ll stay in my penthouse until we can make sure your apartment is safe. I can’t handle the thought that your asshole ex can just break into your apartment from your fire escape.”
Blossom glances at me, her bright, jade eyes wide with exhaustion. “Noah, calm down,” she says quietly, trying to soothe me.
I know she’s right, but it’s hard to calm down when I’m so damn furious. I could literally kill that guy if I ever see him again.
Pulling out my phone, I send a few texts while I stop at the red lights, setting things up to make sure Amy is safe too.
I can’t leave her in that apartment, either.
“I’ll set up a room for Amy,” I mutter, my focus on the phone. “She’s not staying there either.”
Blossom sighs. “Noah, I can’t thank you enough for this.”
I shake my head, still feeling like it’s not enough. “I’m pissed, Blossom. I can’t just sit back and pretend everything’s fine. What if he came back? What if he hurt you?”
She stays quiet, but by the look on her face, I can tell she understands.
I’m still seething when we hit another red light, and I grip the wheel, trying not to explode, but the image of Zack in the window, looking like a damn ghost, keeps replaying in my mind.
What the hell was he thinking? Didn’t he see me there sitting next to her?
“Please, let me take care of this,” I finally say, my voice steady but firm. “The idea of what would have happened if I wasn’t there...you’re pregnant, Blossom. I want you safe. I want to know for certain you’re safe.”
The words come out heavier than I expect, but I can’t help it.
I need her to know how serious this is to me, how serious I feel about her.
Blossom’s silent for a long moment, and I worry I’ve said too much. I watch as she tucks a long, reddish strand behind her ear, but when she finally speaks, her voice is softer. “I know. I do...I know you’re trying to protect me, Noah.”
The weight of her words settles into the car, and my anger doesn’t vanish, but it softens a little, replaced by the urgency to make sure she’s okay.
“I can’t tell you how thankful I am you were there, Noah,” she says after a beat. “I can’t thank you enough, seriously.”
I glance over at her, my heart twisting in my chest, and I grab her hand gently. “I’d do anything for you, Blossom. You and the baby.”
She meets my gaze, a clarity to her viridian eyes, and I know she’s starting to believe me. I just want her to feel safe, to feel like everything’s going to be okay.
The Hudson Hotel finally comes into view, and I feel a small sense of relief knowing we’re almost there. Guiding Blossom up the steps and into the lobby, I’m still keeping an eye on our surroundings, making sure nothing out of the ordinary happens.
I don’t want to draw attention to her situation, to her being here in my penthouse.
I want to protect her, including from prying eyes and gossip. I want to keep her safe without anyone questioning anything.
After a quick word with the front desk, I lead her toward the elevator.
“I need to book Amy a room after I get you settled,” I tell her, my mind still focused on making sure both of them are taken care of.
We finally reach the penthouse, and I open the door for her, watching as she steps inside.
The space feels almost too big for the two of us, but it’s a safe haven, and for now, that’s all I care about. I can feel the stress in my shoulders fall as I finally feel safe in my own home.
I’d like to see Zack manage to get up here to my private floor, at the top of the hotel, past security.
“Take a shower—relax,” I suggest to Blossom, my voice softer now. “You’re safe here. Text me if you need anything at all. Just no more horror movies tonight,” I add with a small smile. “We’ve had enough adrenaline for one night.”
Blossom sheepishly grins back, her smile tired but grateful. “Thanks, Noah.”
I nod and step toward the door. “I’ll be back soon.”
With a heavy heart, I leave the penthouse and head straight to the front desk. Amy’s safety is just as important to me as Blossom’s, and I’m not about to let her stay in that apartment, not after Zack showed how easily he could break into their place again.
The front desk attendant looks up at me as I arrive, her smile polite but professional. “How can I help you, Mr. Hudson?”
“I need a room for someone, a friend of mine. Preferably on the top floor,” I say quickly, already pulling up my phone to confirm details.
She quickly checks the system, and after a moment, her face falls. “I’m sorry, sir, but we’re fully booked tonight. We don’t have any available rooms at the moment.”
My heart sinks again, but I mask it quickly.
Fully booked. The one time I need a room, and the place is packed.
I force a tight smile, trying to remain calm. “Okay. Thanks for checking. I appreciate it.”
As I turn to leave, my mind begins to race for a solution.
There’s one more option, one more person who could help.
Nicole.
She likes her solitude, but I also don’t think she’d ever turn Amy away.
I quickly pull my phone out again, already typing out a message to my sister.
I make my way to Nicole’s suite, my hurried footsteps echo in the hallway.
When I reach her door, I knock hastily, and a moment later, it opens.
Nicole greets me with a casual smile, her eyes flicking down to the bag slung over my shoulder.
“Hey, Noah. What’s up?” she asks, rolling aside to let me in.
I walk in as she closes the door behind me, and before I can say anything, she raises an eyebrow. “I saw you and Blossom head into your penthouse earlier,” she says, her voice casual but sharp. “Is she staying with you for a while now?”
I pause for a second, trying to figure out how much to tell her.
Nicole always has her finger on the pulse of everything, I should’ve known she’d see me on the camera.
“I watch the cameras,” she adds with a small shrug. “It’s my job, Noah. What’s going on with Blossom?”
I feel a mixture of frustration and helplessness rise up in my throat. "That's actually what I wanted to ask you about," I say, turning to face her. "Can Amy stay with you for a couple of nights? I don’t want her staying at that apartment right now. Zack’s crazy. He broke in tonight, smashed the window in, tried to hurt Blossom."
Nicole’s eyes go wide with shock. “Oh my gosh! Are you guys both okay?”
I nod, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah, thank goodness. Here,” I say, setting the bag I brought with me down on the ground. “Blossom packed a bag of essentials for Amy as well before we left. Can you…text her and let her know to come up to your room when she’s done with her shift?”
Nicole’s expression softens. “Of course.” She smiles reassuringly. “I’m happy to help.”
“Thanks,” I say, feeling some weight lift off my chest now that Amy is safe, too. “I’ll have Blossom let Amy know as well, just in case she misses your text.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Nicole says, cutting me off. “We…umm…already had plans tonight.”
I blink at that, but then just nod in agreement, grateful for Nicole’s help. I leave her suite to head back to my penthouse.
Returning to my penthouse, I feel my heart racing a little as I unlock the door.
When I step inside, the first thing I notice is the quiet hum of the TV. The room feels a little too still, too calm, and then I see her.
Blossom is lying in the bed, her red-brown hair wrapped in a blue towel, the faint sound of a reality TV show playing in the background.
She looks so peaceful, almost lost in the escape of the television.
I quietly close the door behind me, making my way over to the bed. As soon as I sit down, Blossom turns her head toward me, and I can see the exhaustion in her heavy eyes.
She doesn’t say anything, but I can tell she’s relieved to see me, her shoulders dropping as if the weight of the day has finally caught up to her.
Without a word, I climb into bed beside her, pulling her into my arms. I can smell the faint scent of vanilla and rose from her skin, and it calms something deep within me.
As I hold her close, I can’t shake the thought of Zack. The idea that he could hurt her, that the man had the audacity to break into her apartment tonight—it makes my blood boil.
If he ever comes near her again, I won’t hesitate to take action.
I lie back, still holding Blossom in my arms, trying to soak in the warmth of her presence. But my mind keeps drifting to Zack, to the broken glass all over the floor, to the fear in Blossom’s eyes.
What if he had hurt her?
The rage inside me grows with each passing second.
I want to find him. I want to make him pay for what he’s done.
Blossom shifts slightly, turning her face toward me, and that’s when I feel the soft tremble in her body.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “I’m just so scared, Noah. What if he comes back? What if he hurts me, or worse, hurts the baby?”
Her words cut deep, and I can feel my heart tightening as she presses her cheek against my chest. I push her damp hair back from her forehead, kissing her gently.
“You don’t have to apologize,” I whisper, my voice hoarse. “You’re not alone in this, Blossom. I’ll protect you. I swear to you, I won’t let him hurt you again.”
Her eyes meet mine, her vulnerability raw and real. I kiss her again, more urgently this time, and she responds, the weight of everything between us melting into the kiss.
The fear, the uncertainty, it all fades away as we reconnect physically and emotionally.
In this gentle moment, I want nothing more than to forget everything else, to just be with her.
I break the kiss for a moment, looking into her eyes. “Tomorrow, we’re meeting with my lawyer. We’re getting a restraining order against Zack. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
Blossom nods, her hands gripping me tightly.
I know she believes me, and for now, that has to be enough.