Chapter Twenty-Nine
NOAH
A few days after talking to Tyler and devising a plan to get Eric to Alabama, I decide it’s time to tell my dad and Belinda. Since I won’t be staying here, they’d know something was up, and I don’t want them to worry.
I didn’t hold back and told him about everything I knew.
I even admitted to overhearing their conversation about what Belinda heard at the deli between Loretta and Brittany.
Then I mentioned our theory on Brittany being Gabe’s mistress and having his son.
Though I’ve had days to process this, it still feels unreal.
“You sure about this?” Dad asks once I finish. “Having a bodyguard?”
“Yeah, he’s trained and can help keep us safe until whoever the man they’re working with is caught.”
“Trained in what exactly?” Belinda furrows her brows.
“He protected people in the mafia in Vegas,” I say truthfully. “Last year, he helped Tyler and Gemma too. If they trust him, then I do too.”
“The freakin’ mafia?” Belinda gasps. “Are you sure that’s necessary? I don’t even know where Brittany is, so she may not be a threat anymore.”
“What do you mean? She’s not workin’ at the deli?”
“Actually, no. I fired her a few days ago. She had an attitude with a regular and accidentally spilled a large Coke on him. Plus, she showed up late. It was like she didn’t care anymore.
Though I’d had a bad feeling about her for a few weeks, I needed the help.
But that was my last straw. I haven’t seen her since, and from what his teacher said when she came in this afternoon, Anthony hasn’t been in class either. ”
“So you think she ran?”
She shrugs. “Or she’s hiding.”
“You think she’s working with Loretta?”
“We think Loretta funded a hit man, and Brittany hired him. From what I remember overhearing at the hospital, Brittany paid him twenty grand, the exact amount Katie said Loretta withdrew the day of the accident.”
“Son of a—” he mutters, his face turning red with rage.
“I know. Which is why Eric is coming tomorrow, and we’ll stay at Katie’s farmhouse. There’s no room for him here, and I don’t want you two to feel uncomfortable. Hopefully, it’s only temporary, and this will be resolved sooner than later.”
Dad stands and gives me a hug, then whispers for me to please be safe. “You may be in your thirties, but I’ll worry about you till the day I die.”
“I know, Pops.”
“Has anyone confronted Loretta?” Belinda asks.
“Katie asked her about the money, and Loretta lied about why she withdrew it. She asked Katie to let her see Owen, but she hasn’t because she doesn’t trust Loretta. No one has asked her about the conversation with Brittany at the deli yet.”
“She loves her grandson more than anything. She’s not just gonna accept that she can’t see him,” Belinda says.
I shrug. “Katie won’t back down until she knows the truth and we’re all safe. I know Owen’s probably confused about it, but for now, it’s what has to happen.”
After we finish our conversation, I go upstairs and fall asleep. It’s a relief that all of this is now out in the open, and we’re all on the same page.
I can’t believe it’s already Saturday, and Eric’s flying in from Vegas today.
Tyler and I go to the airport to meet him, and while I’m anxious and nervous, I’m also grateful he’s agreed to help.
Although he was here last year, it’s nearly impossible to give accurate directions.
Most of the country roads don’t have street signs, and GPS will lead you to the middle of nowhere, so it was just easier to have him follow us.
When he approaches us, Tyler does introductions.
“Nice to meet you.” Eric shakes my hand.
“You too. Sorry it’s under these circumstances.”
“Don’t worry about it. I live for this kind of excitement.” He smirks, then looks at Tyler. “You’ve gotten fat.”
Eric chuckles, obviously giving Tyler a hard time.
“It’s the sympathy baby weight,” I chime in. “He’s eating for two so Gemma doesn’t feel bad.”
Tyler rolls his eyes, but a smile hits his lips.
“Just playing with ya, man. You look great. Marriage suits you.” Eric nudges Tyler’s shoulder, then we walk to baggage claim.
Instead of heading back to Lawton Ridge after he gets his rental, we meet at a restaurant to talk and give him the details.
“I swear, something’s uncanny about your small town,” Eric muses as we eat.
“You’re tellin’ me.” Tyler snorts. “It’s starting to feel a little cursed.”
“Only if you’re an ex-con, though.” I sigh, taking a sip of my drink.
“You’re sure it’s a hit man they hired?”
“Pretty certain. Had to be a pro to leave the scene of the accident before the ambulance arrived. I’m positive Brittany picked him up. It was evident she wasn’t happy I survived.”
“And this Loretta…” He perks a brow. “She wants you gone too?”
“We think she funded the hit man,” I confirm.
“So essentially, we’re looking for three people?” Eric asks.
“Four, if you count Loretta’s husband, Elliot. But I haven’t seen him since I arrived. I think it’s mainly those two plus the guy they hired.”
“If he’s a pro, he’s probably equipped to take you out from a distance as well. I’m gonna need to do perimeter checks and go everywhere with you until I find him.”
“Gonna put a damper on your private time with Katie.” Tyler snickers.
Eric shakes his head. “If you’re in her house, I’ll keep watch from the car. Don’t get blue balls on my behalf.”
I snort. “Appreciate that.”
Tyler drives me back to Lawton Ridge. Katie’s with Owen until her mom can watch him this afternoon.
We’ve been so preoccupied that we haven’t had much time to work on the house, and it makes me feel bad.
I hope to eventually help her get to the point where she can move in.
Although she’s too stubborn to admit it, she’s struggling to pay her rent and mortgage on top of purchasing the materials needed for the remodel.
I want to do everything in my power to take some of the stress off her.
When we arrive at Katie’s, Eric gets out of his car and meets us on the porch.
“Couldn’t spring for a hotel?” He chuckles when we walk inside.
“There aren’t any here,” Tyler says.
“This is my girlfriend’s place we’re fixin’ up.”
“I’m just messing with you. It’s fine. I’m not picky.” Eric smirks, looking around.
“We’ll be roomies for a while too,” I taunt.
“I really appreciate you coming here,” Tyler says as I lead Eric to the primary room where we’ll be staying.
“No problem, man.”
Two air mattresses are set up with blankets and pillows with a little side table Katie brought over. I plan to bring a mini fridge with drinks and snacks as well.
“So I never got the full story of what happened last year with you two,” I say as Eric unpacks some of his things. “Care to give me the CliffsNotes version?”
“About Victoria? Or as I preferred to call her: Crazy Bitch?” Eric spits out.
“We’re gonna need a few beers for this convo.” Tyler sighs.
“Let’s go to the pub,” I suggest. “Then we can show Eric around.”
Tyler drives, and once we’re inside and seated with our drinks, they tell me the story of the first time they met. It’s a whole side of Tyler I never knew, and I’m shocked as hell when he spills all the details.
The drama that went down with Tyler and his two friends Liam and Maddie is insane.
Eric used to work for mob boss daughter, Victoria O’Leary, who framed Tyler for drugs and illegal guns.
After he did time in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Eric asked him to be a character witness in a deposition for his girlfriend's death. Victoria wasn’t happy when she found out Tyler helped in the murder case against her, so she came to Alabama to get back at him.
Some shit went down, and she ended up dead.
Just hearing about it gives me chills.
“You know that sounds fake as fuck,” I taunt afterward.
“Oh, shit was crazy even before Tyler got involved. Victoria was a level-ten narcissist and psychopath.”
“Maybe she’s related to Brittany.”
After two days of Eric following me around and sleeping at Katie’s farmhouse, I return to work.
It feels weird to be watched, but according to him, he’s had “worse jobs,” and this is nothing compared to what he typically does.
He’s over six feet tall, built like a linebacker, and enters a room like he’s ready to kill the next person who dares to speak. I wouldn’t cross him.
“Mornin’, Noah,” Gemma sing-songs when I walk through the front door. Her smile drops when she spots Eric behind me. “Whoa, is that Eric?”
“Hey, Gemma. Nice to see you again.”
Gemma rounds the front desk and gives him a side hug. “You too, I think?” She places a hand over her belly, then looks at me. “What’s goin’ on? He didn’t fly all the way down here just for a quick visit.”
“Hey, y’all.” Tyler waltzes in from the back office.
“You care to explain some things to me?” she asks Tyler with her hands on her hips. “The last time Eric was here, shit hit the fan.”
“I’m hurt,” Eric says, resting a palm on his chest over his heart. “I came here just to see you, of course.”
Gemma rolls her eyes. “Nice try. I know my husband and brother well enough to know that’s a bunch of bullshit. You’re here because of Brittany, aren’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Gemma releases a long, agitated breath.
“Thanks for not telling me.” Gemma grits her teeth as she stares at Tyler, then at me.
“I didn’t want you to stress, especially since your blood pressure is already high,” Tyler explains. “The baby needs you to relax.”
“The baby needs its mother to be in the loop so she doesn’t stress out!” Gemma argues.
“I’m, uh…gonna walk around and check out the area,” Eric offers, stepping back. “I’ll be out of the way, though, so go about your day like normal.”
Tyler flashes him an apologetic look before Eric goes outside.
“Alright, Smith has the list of tasks that need to be done today so we stay on track for the grand opening in three weeks,” Tyler tells me.
“I’m on it, boss,” I say, then give Gemma a hug. “Don’t be mad, sis.”
“Don’t give me a reason to be then,” she snaps.
Tyler mouths, “Hormones,” while shaking his head, and I snicker before walking away.
The workday goes smoothly, and Eric’s right, I barely noticed him.
He walked around, making a note of the emergency exits, then he checked the alley and the other stores on the block.
Since the gym is near downtown, several taller buildings would give a hit man a perfect bird’s-eye view of the area.
Eric came prepared, though, and won’t hesitate to shoot this guy if the time comes.
“Ready?” I ask Eric once I say goodbye to everyone.
“Yep. Secured the perimeter and the whole damn block. Now I just need this guy to show up so I can—”
“Arm wrestle him,” Tyler quickly interjects.
Gemma scowls. “I’m not an idiot. I know exactly what Eric’s planning.”
“G’night, sis.” I give her a side hug.
“Be careful. I mean it,” she orders, squeezing me in return.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep him out of trouble.” Eric winks.
Once we’re at the house, I take a shower and get dressed.
“I’m gonna have dinner at Katie’s tonight. You’re more than welcome to come eat with us, or you can grab something on your own if you’d rather.”
“Nah, I ate only a couple hours ago while I was at the deli. I’ll drive you there and stake out in the car just in case there’s any suspicious activity.
Forgot to mention earlier that I’m running a background check on Brittany and Loretta.
I also have a friend in Vegas who’s digging into their financials and cell phone history. ”
I raise a brow, shocked he’s able to do all that. Instead of asking questions and getting answers I don’t want to know, I change the subject. “Alright, well, text me if you get hungry. I can bring you some leftovers.”
Eric smirks, patting my shoulder. “Not my first rodeo, Noah. I’ll be fine. I’ll text you if I see or need anything.”
Before we leave, Eric walks around the house, then lets me know it’s safe to come to the car. The drive over is uneventful, and admittedly, I do feel safer with Eric close by. As soon as Katie answers the door, I pull her in for a hug, and her body molds to mine.
“Hey, baby. I’ve missed you.” I press my lips to hers. We’ve texted and talked on the phone all weekend, but I haven’t seen her in person since last week.
“I missed you more,” she whispers, moaning against me.
“Noah!” Owen’s voice breaks us apart, and we realize we almost lost control.
“Hey, bud. How’s it goin’?” We bump fists, and he smiles.
“Good. Did you see another Star Wars movie released?”
We all walk to the kitchen, and I inhale the smell of Katie’s food.
“No, I didn’t. Guess we’ll have to watch it this weekend.” I grab the plates from the cabinet and set the table as Katie takes the casserole from the oven.
“Yes!” Owen cheers. “I’ll make sure we’re stocked up on popcorn.”
“Alright, time to eat,” Katie announces. “Owen, grab the silverware please.”
“I’ll get some glasses,” I say.
Once we’re seated, we dive in. Owen does most of the talking while Katie and I sneak glances at each other. As much as I enjoy hanging out with him, I’m dying to be alone with my girl before I have to leave. Though I’d much rather sleep over, it’s best if Eric and I are in the same space.
“But Mom, I’m not tired,” Owen whines, then yawns.
“Oh really?” she muses, then reminds him to go brush his teeth.
Once he’s tucked in for the night, I help Katie pick up around the house and wipe down the counters.
As she rinses the dishes, I wrap my arms around her from behind and nuzzle my face into the softness of her neck.
“You know what sounds really good right now?” I whisper in her ear.
“A hot shower, a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, and binge-watching Netflix?”
I chuckle. “I could get on board with that. Perhaps we should start with the first and go from there?”
Katie dries her hands before turning and wrapping her arms around my waist. “I know exactly where it’d go.”
The corner of my lips tilts up. “Only if you seduced me.”
She giggles, lifting her head so I can capture her mouth.
“Hm…might be a good chance of that happening.” She lowers her hand to my erection. “Though, I think you’ve made my job easy.”
“Mm…don’t tease me, woman. I’ve been dreaming of your mouth on me for days.”
“Take me to the shower, and perhaps I can help make that a reality.” Katie smirks.
I lift her and walk us to the bathroom, where she most definitely helps me out.