CHAPTER 16 - Noah Black #2
“Bryan is going to hack into the house cameras and disable them for a while so I can sweep the mansion and set up our own cameras, giving him eyes on what's happening in here.”
This is crazy
I type quickly
I've heard Gavin say that if the cameras fail, an alarm goes off.
He'll know the moment they stop working.
“Lucky for us, and unlucky for your father, the person in charge of the cameras is someone we trust.” She smiles triumphantly, and I blink in confusion. “They're going to disable the alarm so it won't make a sound.”
“You're not a bad guy?” Sadie asks, making both of us turn to her.
God, I had completely forgotten she was here too.
“No, I'm not,” Lauren replies, and I look at her smiling face. “I'm not going to hurt you, and I won't be mean, okay? We're going to have fun while we study, but you can't tell your parents about this.”
“Why are you going to mess with the cameras?” she asks, curiosity piqued.
You can never tell anyone about this conversation
And definitely not that Elizabeth is going to mess with the cameras
It's our secret.
I sign quickly, using the fake name so she doesn't slip up in front of Gavin or Sarah.
“I won't say anything at all.” She mimes zipping her lips. “Can I go back to drawing?” I nod, and she runs off toward her own room.
“Meet me at two in the morning in the kitchen,” Lauren says, already turning to leave, but I grab her arm to stop her.
Is this really safe?
I'm afraid he'll find out.
I can't put my little girl in danger
She reads the words and her expression softens.
“I've worked with Bryan for a while, and I've never seen him fail,” she says, crossing her arms. “If he's always been unbeatable for everyone else, imagine what he'll do for you, girl.”
What do you mean?
“It's annoying that you can't talk,” she grumbles when I raise my phone, and I end up smiling.
“That big guy is crazy about you. Always has been.” There's no resentment in her words, and I try to control the goofy smile threatening to spread across my face.
“And I know you don't like me because you think I was in love with him, but listen up, Noah.” She stares at me and I cross my arms, trying not to feel too small.
“I never liked him the way you think. It was all an act to make some idiot who was blind to my feelings jealous.” My mouth falls open in surprise at the revelation.
“Bryan is just my boss and a friend who pulled me out of the worst mess I ever got myself into.”
She doesn't wait for me to type anything else and leaves the room.
I throw myself on the bed, staring at the screen.
I open our conversation.
I reread all the messages.
That big guy is crazy about you. Always has been
The words replay in my mind, and my heart races again.
Noah: Lauren is already at the mansion.
He sees it instantly, and I wonder if he spends all day staring at his phone.
Hunter: She already texted me.
Everything okay with you and the little one?
Noah: Yes. We're fine.
Hunter: I want to see you.
“Can I come over now?”
Butterflies flutter in my stomach again.
I need to stop acting like a silly teenager.
Noah: No. It’s riskier during the day.
Hunter: Then I’ll come at night.
Before Gavin arrives.
Noah: Be careful!
Hunter: Always!
Noah: I’m going to turn off my phone because I need to spend some time with Sadie.
Hunter: Before you go, I need to ask you something.
Noah: And what would that be?
Hunter: Do you know what’s in the basement?
A chill runs down my spine when I read his words, and suddenly, I’m no longer here.
I’m down there.
I don’t know how I got to the basement, but I remember waking up inside that huge room.
I was lying on a black couch, and Gavin had his back to me, handling some vials.
My vision was blurry, my senses scrambled, and he quickly realized I’d woken up when I tried to stand and collapsed back onto the couch.
Before he exploded in rage and beat me until I passed out again, I managed to register a few things.
The place was styled like a library, with endless rows of books lining the walls from floor to ceiling.
The lighting was dim, but I noticed a huge table in the center, surrounded by chairs.
Before I fainted, I remember the floor was beige, covered with various symbols and black drawings, some of which I couldn’t decipher.
When I woke up again, I was in my room, groggy and hurt.
Gavin was standing in his doorway, watching me, and when I met his eyes, the only thing he said was:
If you enter that place or tell anyone about it, I’ll kill Sadie.
His words echoing in my head bring me back, and I look at the screen to see that Bryan sent another message asking if I’m still here.
With trembling fingers, I make the decision to cooperate and allow myself to believe he’s going to get us both out of here.
I start telling him everything I saw in the basement and what I went through.
I send the message and he reads it quickly. This time, though, he doesn’t respond right away. When the response finally comes minutes later, I hold my breath.
Hunter: I’m going to crush every bone in his body until there’s nothing left.