Page 66 of Aria

I pivoted, fully facing Noah. “And you were arrested?”

“Yeah, the cops and paparazzi swarmed the place. Ian said he’s pressing charges and all that shit. Lawsuit, I’m sure. Devon bailed me out, but I’ve got a court date next month. I’m sure you’ll see it on the news tomorrow morning.”

“Did he threaten you at all? Or any of us?”

Noah nodded again. “He said I’m a dead man… but I can take care of myself. It’s you I’m worried about.”

“At least I’m staying with Devon now,” I sighed, folding my arms across my body. “I’ll admit, I’d be a little freaked out all alone in my apartment.”

“We’ll need to up security on you. The guy is out for blood.”

As freaked out as I was, my concern for Noah trumped that. He had a target on his back. “Noah… are you going to be okay?” I asked gently. “I have your gun. You should take it. You’re the one he’s going to want to get revenge on.”

“Absolutely not.” Noah straightened, hardened. “You need protection. I kicked his ass because ofyou,and he knows that. You’re still the most vulnerable target.”

A chill encompassed me because I knew what Ian was capable of. I also knew that I didn’t stand a chance against him without a weapon. “What about Sam? What if you need to protect him?”

“I’ll get another gun, Chelsie. I’ll make sure Sam is safe.”

My phone vibrated before I could respond, flashing with Devon’s name. I swiped to answer. “Hey, Devon. I’m about to head out.”

Devon’s tone was pure ice. “Don’t bother.”

“What?” Anxiety settled in my gut as my grip tightened on the phone. “Why?”

“Look, I’m not ready to talk to you yet. You told Noah everything—beforeyou told me. And you lied about it. I need a night to think.”

Tears rimmed my eyes as I pressed my lips together. “I can explain, Devon.”Could I, though?What was there to say? The truth was, Ididlie… there was no getting out of that. “I’m sorry.”

“Stay the night with your other boyfriend. Maybe I’ll be ready to talk tomorrow,” Devon said, his tone clipped.

“That’s not fair. It’s not like that at all.”

“Tomorrow,” Devon repeated. “Goodnight.”

The call disconnected, and I stared at my phone blankly, trying to register what had just happened. A tear slipped down my cheek. “Devon doesn’t want me to come home,” I sniffed.

Noah offered a look of sympathy. “I heard. You’re obviously more than welcome to stay. You can take my room.”

My chin lifted, gaze darting up to Noah. “What have I done? I ruined everything. I was too scared to tell him the truth.”

“Try not to think about it tonight,” Noah said, his words laced with reassurance. “I’m sure he just needs to sleep on it. He’d be a fool to lose you.”

My stomach did a little whirl. He’d said it so flippantly—yet, his words moved me to the core.

He’d be a fool to lose you.

“I’m the fool,” I muttered as self-loathing wormed its way inside of me. “I’m honestly not sure why you think so highly of me.”

Noah’s face was unreadable, but he had that look in his eyes again. The look that made my belly flutter. The look that made me question things; things I didn’t even understand. “I see what Sam sees,” he said firmly. “And Devon. And probably every person you cross paths with. I’ll never understand how you don’t see it, too.”

I gaped at him, stunned into silence by a man who had once been a master of slinging insults at me. Now, his words were the only ones I wanted to hear. “Thank you.” It was an inadequate bestowal for such a high acclaim, but it was all I could muster.

“Come on.” Noah tapped my knee and stood from the couch. A playful kindling danced in his green eyes. “I’ll show you to your quarters, m’lady.”

I always stayed out of Noah’s room when I watched Sam. I’d only been in there once after Sam had jammed hisHot Wheelscar underneath the door. As I stepped through the threshold, I noted that it looked the same as it had that day—charcoal gray walls and similar bedding. It was stark and unfitting for a man like Noah, who was full of personality and humor. The bed was unmade, and a small dresser was the only other piece of furniture in the room.

“This space could use the touch of a Gaines,” I teased, glancing around.

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