Chapter 23 #2
It takes about thirty minutes for everyone to clear out, and then it’s just Noah, Cassian, my parents, and me.
“I’m going to head out, too,” Cassian says, walking to the door. I follow him so I can lock the deadbolt when he leaves. Just before he steps outside, he whispers, “Have fun with your sleepover.”
I scowl, making him smile. As soon as he leaves, I move to the window, watching him walk to the Lamborghini, get in, and drive off. Only when he’s safely out of the drive do I return to my living room and the mess that is my life.
“Where’s Noah?” I ask my parents, concerned by his absence.
“He went upstairs to change the guest bed sheets.” Mom crosses her arms like she’s waiting for me to freak out.
“You’re seriously making him do that?”
“He offered.”
“This is ridiculous.” I walk up the stairs, leaving my parents in the living room, and find Noah smoothing the comforter.
He glances over when he sees me. “I found extra sheets in the linen closet next to the bathroom.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I already packed my stuff anyway.” He gestures to the suitcase and duffel bag waiting on the floor.
“You can’t sleep on the couch.”
“I’m going to take one of the beds Cassian bought.”
“But it’s hot in there.”
He gives the pillows a final fluff and turns back to me, having the audacity to smile. “It was good enough for Sophia and Larissa, but it’s not good enough for me?”
“I like you more than I like them.”
His smile edges on a smirk as he walks across the room. “I like you, too.”
I lower my voice. “You realize we’re going to be separated by my parents now, don’t you? They’ll hear if I try to sneak downstairs.”
Noah lifts a brow. “What plans, exactly, does that foil?”
“I’m just saying.”
“It’ll be fine. They have their own house—I’m sure they’ll get tired of hovering after a few days.”
I wish I wouldn’t have called Mom’s bluff. She’s more stubborn than I realized.
“It’ll be all right,” Noah assures me again, taking my shoulders. “At least they aren’t trying to get rid of me this time.”
I grunt, not as optimistic about the situation as he is.
“Get some sleep.” He looks like he wants to kiss me, but he glances toward the door like he’s afraid my parents will catch us—like we’re high school kids sneaking around and not full-grown adults. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Reluctantly, I tell my parents their room is ready, and then I head to bed.
It’s the crack of dawn, and I should be outside working. But I’m scared to go into the garden alone, so I sit in the kitchen, drinking my coffee, waiting for things to get awkward.
Noah comes in from the sunroom at about six-thirty, dressed for work. He smiles when he sees me and then pulls a coffee mug from the cabinet.
“Did you sleep okay?” I ask. “Was it too hot?”
“I’ll probably need to get a fan, but it was fine.” He pours himself a cup of coffee. “I have to head into work today, but I won’t take off until Cassian gets here.”
“He’s not already on his way, is he? Did he get any sleep?”
“He’s about thirty minutes away, and I’m not sure he went to bed.” His expression becomes solemn. “Larissa and Sophia never showed up.”
“They weren’t at his place when he got back last night?” I ask, startled.
“Sophia took her pardon, and they vanished.”
I gape at him, feeling betrayed. I can only imagine how angry Cassian must be. They used him.
They used all of us.
“What’s he going to do?” I ask.
“We’re going to track them down. I don’t know what they’re up to, but I don’t like it.”
“Is he okay?”
“He’s not happy.”
One of the stairs creaks, alerting me we’re not alone anymore. Unfortunately, Dad’s the early riser. And he’s the last person I want to deal with before I’ve had a full cup of coffee.
“Morning,” I say when he comes in wearing the same clothes he arrived in yesterday. “I made fussy-bean coffee if you want some.”
He grunts, eyeing Noah as he chooses a mug from the cupboard.
As soon as he’s out of the way, Noah pulls out a skillet and says, “I’ll make breakfast. How do you like your eggs, Mr. Edwards?”
“Is that safe?” Dad watches him from the corner of his eye as he pours his coffee. “I thought you were contagious.”
“Dad,” I hiss.
“You’d have to come in contact with my blood,” Noah says, taking it in stride. I guess in his line of work, he’s used to being around hostile, freaked-out people. “And I don’t intend to put that in the eggs.”
I snort and then clear my throat, pursing my lips together to hide my smile.
Dad scowls. “I’m not hungry.”
“Piper?” Noah asks.
“Yes, please.”
A few minutes later, Mom comes down. She looks rumpled after sleeping in street clothes yesterday. She’s pulled her hair back in a ponytail, and she’s not wearing a stitch of makeup. Judging from the dark circles under her eyes, she didn’t sleep well.
“Would you like some breakfast?” Noah asks her.
Unlike Dad, she peers at the eggs frying in the skillet like she’s thinking about it. Then she finally shakes her head. “I need coffee.”
Undaunted that they both snubbed his offer, Noah says, “Now that you’re up, I’d like to talk to you about the plan we’ve established for Piper’s safety.”
His tone is brisk and businesslike, like he’s now in work mode.
As the eggs cook, he turns to face us, casually leaning against the counter. “I’m no longer moving out—I’m sorry if that makes you uncomfortable, but I think you’ll agree Piper’s safety is most important.”
Dad grunts…but he doesn’t argue.
Noah flips the eggs. “I’ll be here through the nights, and I’ll accompany Piper when she leaves the house in the evenings. Cassian will be here while I’m at work. If both of us are unavailable, I’ll assign a NIHA hunter to cover her.”
“What about Max?” I ask. “Can he still fill in?”
“Not now that there’s been an attack. He hasn’t had the proper training.”
I nod, disappointed. If I can’t hang out with Noah or Cassian, Max would have been a good substitute.
My parents don’t say anything.
“Our top priority will be tracking down and arresting the attackers,” Noah continues.
“Are you two still dating?” Dad asks bluntly.
The kitchen goes silent.
After several long, awkward seconds, Noah says, “We’ve agreed to put our relationship on hold.”
“No, you agreed,” I add, none too happy about it.
Dad nods solemnly. “Thank you for respecting our wishes. I’m sure you understand why we don’t want Piper any more involved in this than she already is.”
The attack didn’t do us any favors. It’s going to be next to impossible to convince my family that vampires can live normal, uneventful lives now.
Because of that, I think it’s time for some tough love.
“As you can see, Noah has this under control,” I say. “When are you two going home?”
They share a look, and I’m worried they’re about to say they aren’t going home. And that’s not an option.
“I know this is still technically Grandma and Grandpa’s place.
But I’m an adult—I pay them rent every month.
This is my house. And though you are very welcome to visit, I don’t need you hovering.
Noah is extremely good at his job. I promise I’m safer here than anywhere else.
” I pause, trying to look stern but loving. “Go home.”
They stare at me, conflicted. Finally, Dad nods. “Okay—but you need to keep us in the loop. I don’t want to learn there are police outside your house from a friend who just happened to drive by.”
“Deal.”
Dad looks at the eggs Noah is sliding onto a plate for me. “I think I will take a couple of those if the offer stands.”
“Of course,” Noah says, looking secretly delighted. “Just tell me how you like them.”