Page 160 of Teacher's Pet

His jaw clenches. "Human trafficking, drugs, dark web affairs, anything the government doesn’t want its hands in. Roman was hired years ago by an old associate. No one knows his real name, but he goes by Echo. Echo runs things from Idlewood, where Eden grew up, while Roman handles affairs here in Spokehaven."

A chill runs down my spine.

"Cole mentioned the Briars," I whisper. "I know he has ties to your brother, but what does Levi have to do with any of this?"

Noah’s eyes darken. "Levi saw something he wasn’t supposed to. He witnessed my brother and Walker take out a loose end during that deal. His parents swore he was away for the night, so their house was supposed to be secure. But he must’ve come back early."

My breath catches.

"Cole was already desperate for money. Walker was going against his parents’ wishes by dipping into the Antonov family business. He wanted to prove himself to Jake, to show his loyalty. And so did his friend."

Noah swallows hard. "Levi slipped away on his bike. Walker saw it. Instead of warning Levi’s parents, Walker took matters into his own hands."

My stomach churns.

"That night," I whisper, the pieces clicking together like jagged glass. "Cole got a call-"

"Walker," Noah confirms. "Telling Cole to handle the boy so they could both secure their place with Jake."

I feel like I can’t breathe.

"When he hit Levi-"

"It was planned," Noah murmurs, his voice thick. "My guess? He was shoving your head down to stop you from grabbing the wheel. To keep you from stopping him."

The realization crashes over me like a tidal wave. My lips tremble as I take it all in.

"Did you know?" I whisper, barely able to get the words out.

Noah’s eyes glisten with unshed tears. "No." His voice is raw, broken. "I detached from my family months after my father died. Ana, I won’t lie to you. There’s blood on my hands. I had no idea what was really happening, how fucked up it all was. I tried to get away, to start over... then I met you."

His hands tighten around me, like he’s trying to ground himself in the weight of my presence.

"I knew Jake let me come here. Not because he couldn’t find me, but because he had me exactly where he wanted me. Getting closer to the Briars was never part of my plan. But in his sick, twisted mind, he assumed he could pin all of this on you and use you as leverage to pull me back in."

He swallows, his forehead nearly pressing against mine.

"I wasn’t a good person before you, Ana," he whispers. "But everything after you? It changed me."

I search his face, my chest aching.

"Then why go back?" I whisper. "Why leave me for two months?"

His eyes darken with something unreadable.

"To learn all of this. To see how much Jake really knew... and to find a way to tip Roman Briar off. The only way I could protect you and speak to him was to go back. Jake had to believe I was helping pin this on you. But now, after tonight, I'm running on a ticking clock."

I glance around the room, my eyes landing on the flowers, the candles, the flickering light of the fireplace.

It all hits me.

"Yet you still found time to do all of this?" I whisper, voice barely above a breath.

Noah’s fingers skim my cheek, his gaze burning into mine.

"You needed to know," he murmurs. "How much I need you."

"Do you need me right now, Noah?" I whisper, my lips hovering close to his, teasing.

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