CHAPTER 24 - Noah Black
So when I'm ready to be bolder
And my cuts have healed with time
Comfort will rest on my shoulder
And I'll bury my future behind
Home – Gabrielle Aplin
I knew something was wrong the moment I heard Gavin's commanding voice echoing through the house—he'd left for work only a short while ago.
A horrible feeling washed over me, and every muscle in my body went rigid as I stepped out of my room.
When I faced him from the top of the stairs, I felt the floor drop out from under me, but it was only when I heard the question that despair seeped into my gut, crawled through my body, and burned every cell in a way I never imagined possible.
He found out.
He found out Bryan came back, and there will be consequences—not just for me.
“Where is Bryan?” Gavin repeats the question, and the hatred etched on his face is identical to that night when everything collapsed.
The night he won.
The night that tore me apart and almost ended Bryan's life.
The cycle is repeating, and I don't know if I'm ready to see how it ends.
Tears stream down my face, beyond my control, as I shake my head, trying to convince him I don't know what he's talking about.
That I have no idea why he's asking about Bryan.
But he's not stupid.
He sees and smells my fear.
And he'll feed on it to find out everything.
God, what did I do to deserve not even a minute of peace?
I scream inside when he squeezes my arm harder, making my skin burn.
“Get paper and a fucking pen,” he orders, and I stumble backward, trying to keep my balance so I don't fall.
I run to the office, grab what he asked for, and when I turn to head back, I see he followed me.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I write hurriedly, and when I show him the paper, he examines every feature of my face.
Gavin searches for the lie, and I try to bury it as deep as possible so he can't find even a trace of it.
“You think you can fool me again?” He approaches, his heavy footsteps hammering in my ears. “You really think I'm going to believe he didn't come looking for you?”
Isn't he dead?
You said you killed him.
I keep pretending I don't know anything.
He has to believe.
I need to make him believe, or he'll destroy me and Sadie.
And I won't be able to bear that.
I swear I haven't seen him since that night, Gavin.
To me, he was dead.
“I'm going to hunt down that trash and finish the job I started five years ago,” he threatens, studying my reaction. I keep my face blank. “And if he dares come looking for you, I'll find out, because I'm putting security even inside your damn room.”
I nod, pretending to agree, and he grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him.
“You almost ruined me, Noah, and your luck was that Sadie came along to fix your mistakes.” A disgusting smile spreads across his face.
“But soon I won't need you to take care of her, so I can send you wherever I want.” His thumb brushes over a tear running down my face, and an icy shiver runs through me.
“Want to know what place that is?” he asks, grabbing my chin again.
“When I ask, you answer!” His hand squeezes my skin, and the pain is so excruciating I'm afraid he'll break my jaw.
I bring my fingers to his arm, tapping lightly to signal that yes, I want to know.
“To hell,” he answers with a smile, pushing me backward so my lower back slams into the desk. “That's where impure whores like you end up,” he threatens, turning and walking away from the office.
I run after him, terrified he's heading for Sadie, and the moment I reach the living room, I see Lauren and Greta coming in.
“Where were you?” he shouts, stopping in front of them.
“We went shopping for the pantry,” Greta responds, lifting the bags. “Do you need me?”
“Pack a travel bag for Sadie,” he orders, and I hold my breath, feeling my chest tighten.
“Do I need to pack one for Noah?” she asks cautiously.
Lauren narrows her eyes in my direction.
“No. Only Sadie and I are going,” he responds, and I automatically step in front of him.
I shake my head.
He smiles perversely, noticing my desperation.
“She's not staying here. I'll never let him get near her,” he says, pushing me again, and I turn to Greta.
Tell him I need to stay with Sadie.
That I swear I don’t know anything. That I’m not lying.
“Gavin, she asked to go too. Said she’s not lying,” she passes along my message, and I stare at him.
“You’re staying because you’ll serve as bait for me to catch that piece of trash,” he responds, and I shake my head, feeling helplessness crawl up my spine like ice.
I can’t let this monster be alone with Sadie.
“Greta, I’m going to make one call, and as soon as I’m done, I want Sadie and her things ready in the car,” he orders, his voice heavy with authority.
“Can I help with something, Mr. Gavin?” Lauren asks cautiously, and I see my father finally notice her.
“I won’t need your services anymore because I have no idea when Sadie will return home, so pack your things—you’re dismissed.”
She opens her mouth to respond, but her words die when a voice thunders from the entrance.
“You really think I’ll let you take her out of this house, you bastard?” My heart stops as I recognize the tone full of hatred and venom that fills the room.
My eyes automatically go to the door.
Bryan enters the room with his gun cocked, aimed at my father.
My legs go weak as I stare at him.
And it’s precisely my hesitation—not running toward him—that Gavin uses to his advantage.
One second he’s in front of me, and the next, he’s holding me in front of him, an arm around my neck and the barrel of a gun pressed to the side of my head.
“And who do you think you are to stop me from taking my daughter out of here?” he spits. “One step forward and I’ll blow this lying bitch’s brains out.” Gavin squeezes my neck and my lungs burn.
I can’t breathe, and I lock my gaze onto Bryan’s.
My first and only love.
The one who owns my world.
The only one who ever made me feel loved.
The one who gave me the greatest gift I could ever receive.
I wish everything were different.
I wish we could love each other.
But fate isn’t on our side—it never was.
And once again I see the two of us shattering.
But alongside that image, I see Sadie breaking.
And I have to control myself not to scream, because even the thought of her being hurt causes a visceral pain inside me.
“Gavin, you’re alone, so let Noah go before I blow your fucking head off,” he shouts, cutting through my thoughts. “You’re not getting out of this unscathed this time—I won’t fucking allow it!” he yells, and Gavin tightens his grip on my throat.
My hands instinctively rise, trying to relieve the pressure.
I shake my head and Bryan stares at me.
We’re only a few steps apart.
Still, I feel like we’re miles away.
Our love should never have existed.
And I knew it would never work out.
I was naive and irresponsible to believe otherwise.
We’ve been through this before.
Only this time there’s something much bigger at stake.
Something I can’t lose.
Que n?o posso deixar que destruam.
My little girl.
Our little girl.
Fear, pain, and desperation mix together, crushing my heart.
I want to scream.
To fight.
To escape Gavin’s grip. But I can’t.
Go away.
Please, just go.
I signal desperately to Bryan, my body trembling.
“What are you saying to this bastard?” Gavin tightens his grip on my neck, making me claw at his forearm, begging for air.
Bryan stares at me and I see the determination in his eyes.
I can read between the lines—he’s screaming that he won’t leave.
That he won’t leave me here.
Please. For me.
He shakes his head, not understanding that his presence will only make everything worse.
“She’s telling him to leave.” It’s Greta who answers for me.
“Do what she’s saying, but I guarantee you won’t make it out of this city before I have your head ripped off,” Gavin mocks, taking a step back. “Greta, go do what I ordered.”
She nods, but when she turns, I hear the sound of heels approaching, and soon Sarah appears at my side.
“I’ll go with her to make sure nothing goes wrong,” the bitch says, and I didn’t even know she carried a gun until this moment, when I see her pointing one at Greta. “Elizabeth, you can cooperate too, can’t you?”
“Of course. Sadie's safety comes first,” Lauren agrees, and I see Sarah smile. “Need me to call the police on this delinquent?” She plays along, pointing at Bryan.
“We already have people on the way to deal with this,” Sarah responds, and the three of them climb the stairs toward my little girl's room.
“You have a few minutes to get out of my house and let me hunt you down like the rat you are,” Gavin threatens, his voice dripping with scorn. “Or you can stand there with that gun pointed at me until my men arrive to finish you off.”
I beg him to leave.
To disappear.
To vanish and let Gavin believe we have nothing.
Maybe then he won't punish us.
And Sadie can get out unscathed.
But Bryan doesn't look at me.
He just flashes a cruel smile at Gavin and lets out a loud, humorless laugh.
It's terrifying how he seems to have no fear whatsoever of what my father just said.
“Do you really think I came alone, Gavin Black?” He takes a step toward us and I hear the click of the trigger.
“I won't say it again—if you take another step, I'll end her.” The barrel presses harder against my temple.
“And I know you don't want that. I can see it in your eyes—you couldn't bear to watch her die,” he continues taunting.
“It's amazing how love makes men weak. If the tables were turned, I would have already shot you even if it cost another life.
That's what makes me better than you, Bryan.” Now it's Gavin who lets out a laugh.
“Your love for this useless woman makes you vulnerable.”