Page 96 of Noah

“You don’t know,” she repeated quietly.

She finally opened the door so he could see and understand that they weren’t going to happen. She wanted to say she was prepared to see him, but it hit her hard. He looked as haggard and wrecked as she did.

“Please leave,” she murmured. And it hurt. God, did it hurt? It was painful to look at his perfect face.

Whatever was in her tone and her face had his eyes widening and worry crossing his face. He took a step forward and instinctively she flinched away from him, almost falling in her eagerness not to be touched by him.

His face fell and he looked devastated by her retreat.

Adrienne shored up her defences. Noah had shredded any trust she felt for him. He had just plain shredded her.

She would commit his blue eyes to memory, his voice, and how it turned to smooth melted butter when he was freshly sated from their lovemaking.

Adrienne would store the trust she had given him in a vault at the back of her mind, one that she would never open because if she did…

“Adrienne. I’m sorry,” Noah began.

Adrienne shut the door in his face.

Mhane slowly clapped. A growl showed Noah heard so Mhane just got louder, whooping, and hollering. Adrienne knew Mhane was trying to break her out of the cycle of misery she was in. She grinned at Mhane or tried to. It stretched her lips and the dry cracked bottom lip wobbled with emotion and split.

“Well done,” Mhane said while she wet her lips and grimaced as she tasted blood.

“I don’t feel like this is the time for congratulations.” Adrienne’s voice was still hoarse.

From the sounds of a scuffle taking place outside Noah might have tried banging the door down.

At least the Numbers were taking this seriously and making sure he couldn’t barge in uninvited.

Mhane walked away from the kitchenette and grabbed Adrienne’s hands. “No, it isn’t congratulations, but it is a start to putting you back together again.”

And Mhane wasn’t wrong. It took time for her to heal and feel normal.

The following days were a blur of normal activity dogged by pain.

First, it was the day she took a shower; she came out feeling human. Then it was putting on clothes, getting dressed, not just changing from one pair of baggy shorts and a top to another.

Next, it was leaving the house. Although she had to see guards along with Noah too. Her chest caved in every time, but she needed to get out and Mhane insisted she needed something other than lounge clothes.

It was baby steps, but every step counted.

Noah didn’t give up. He came every day, usually glaring at the door or following them if they ventured into town. He was a silent shadow.

Cards with “I’m sorry” or “Forgive me” came through the door regularly. Mhane burned them with a quick smile but not before she made Adrienne read them, every letter a punishing blow.

There were flowers on every surface and Mhane took great pleasure in accepting them and placing them on display. Mhane made sure Noah saw her accept them and thank the delivery guy.

“I don’t need the card,” Mhane said in a low voice. “I know who it’s from and there’s no interest there, but I will keep the flowers.” Mhane plucked the card out and placed it in the stunned-looking delivery guy’s pocket, patting it and giving him a flirtatious smile.

Adrienne shook her head.

The guard outside was Owen. He tutted and shooed the delivery guy away. Adrienne was sure she heard a growl, and her heart skipped a beat, but she ignored it.

Mhane was trying to protect her, so she slammed the door with force. Mhane swivelled with a great big smile that fell as soon as she saw Adrienne’s expression.

“I’ll kill him,” Mhane swore and threw the flowers down.

Mhane turned grabbed the door handle and wrenched it back open before Adrienne could stop her.

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