After everything, this is what he thinks? He knows what I've been doing, and hiding is so far from the truth I want to throw something. “Hiding? You think that’s what I’m doing?”
“Well, we’ve not got anywhere with Lewis, have we?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean we just give up. I have to fix this, Noah,” I demand. “I thought you understood.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“But you agreed to help.”
“And my deal was clear.” He looks right at me as he says the words, making me question what's been happening between us, but my mind flicks back to each time we were together, everything he’s said to me, everything he’s shared.
“No … that’s not all …”
“If Landon calls again, you’ll answer and start explaining yourself.”
“What about Lewis? We have to find him?” My voice quivers as I stare him down. He looks so disaffected. Blank and dismissive, and nothing like the image of his face I remember from last night.
“What happened yesterday, Noah?” I call after him as he leaves the doorway.
“We fucked.” He goes to hide behind his bank of screens, and I follow until I'm standing behind him.
“Before that. Where did you go because you’ve been hot and cold since you came back.” I cross my arms, mainly for protection, because I can feel everything crumbling around me right now.”Last night was different and-”
“Just because I screwed you a few times doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you everything, Neve. Get over yourself.”
The choke of emotion swells in my throat, and I go back to the kitchen to stop myself from breaking in front of him. I lean my hands on the kitchen table and pull in some deep breaths, and then reality catches up - it’s Landon. He must have said something, threatened him. Noah wouldn't go from last night to this. How could he? We were something last night. Closer, more somehow.
Noah’s phone starts ringing again, but this time I can hear him answer it.
“Landon,” he answers. I push my hair back from my face and swipe at the stray tear on my cheek, turning to the doorway.
“What the fuck is going on? I’m not paying you to ignore my calls,” Landon’s voice bellows around the small room. Noah’s put him on speaker, probably to prove a point to me.
“There’s nothing clear to report. Once I have any further leads-”
“There’s been a fire at Tallington. In the stables.” The words ring in my ears as I imagine the beautiful barns engulfed in flames.
“What happened?” Noah asks, walking out of his office.
“Security cameras that have been installed picked up a figure in the middle of the night. It was arson, but we can’t identify who it was.”
He places the phone on the table and stares at the empty grate in the fire. “You think it was Neve?”
“Unless you can tell me where she is? If the number you sent me is actually hers, she isn’t answering.”
He looks at me from across the room, his arms crossed and his eyes flicking back at the phone. I shake my head and hope.
“I can’t confirm where she was last night.” His stare burns into me as I remember his touch on my skin, the heat in my blood as I came apart riding him. “But I know where she’ll be.”
There's quiet on the line for a few moments, as if Landon’s waiting for more. He doesn't get anything. “If you know where she is, why isn’t she back with us? Do I need to spell out just what’s at fucking stake here?”
Noah’s eyes haven’t moved from mine, but I can’t keep the emotion back anymore, and tears fall silently down my cheeks. My pulse thrashes faster, and with every thud, I feel the pain slicing through me – feel the guilt sliding in between each fracture of my heart. Everything that I’ve been hoping to put right is over. It's too late. Time's almost up.
Noah picks up the phone, puts it to his ear and walks off as I slump into the chair next to the cold fire.
“Tomorrow.”
I listen to the one-sided conversation now he’s taken the call off speakerphone, trying not to erupt into tears. “No, Landon, I’ve done what you asked. I’ll let you know if anything changes.” I can't stop, though. The tears are coming, and I can't hold them back. “Nothing more.” I'm going home. He's going to make me and … “When I’ve got her, I'll bring her to you.”
