Page 165 of Teacher's Pet

But then, reality seeps in.

My smile fades. My grip tightens slightly in his hair.

"Noah," I whisper.

"Hmm?" he hums against my jaw, pressing soft kisses along the curve.

I take a breath, my voice quieter now. "This is the first time I’ve felt safe since you left."

He stills.

Slowly, he pulls back, his dark eyes locking onto mine, searching, serious.

And in that moment, I know, whatever happens next, whatever comes for us…

Noah won’t let me face it alone.

"I’ll figure something out, Ana," Noah whispers, his voice low, steady, a promise woven into every word. "No one is going to hurt you."

I want to believe him. God, I want to. But my body trembles against his, my lips parting as a shaky breath escapes.

"How do you know?" I whisper, my voice barely holding together, my lip quivering.

His arms tighten around me.

"Because," he murmurs, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to my forehead. "I love you. And anyone willing to threaten the woman I love? They’re already dead."

Something about the way he says it, so final...so sure, makes me believe him.

And for the first time in two months, sleep finally finds me.

Nestled in the arms of the one man who makes me feel trulyalive.

Chapter 30

Noah

Family night.

An evening designed to introduce the student body’s parents to the prestigious, uptight professors of Spokehaven University. Normally, the school would foot the bill for an event like this, pouring as much money as necessary into making itself look like something worth investing in. A spectacle of wealth, status, and legacy.

But Walker has made it painfully clear, this year is different. This year, it’s about control. His control.

His family doesn’t give a damn about funding an event like this, and he wants everyone to know it. More than that, he wants me to know it. He wants to flaunt his wealth, his power, and now, with the knowledge of just how deeply intertwined he is with Cole and my brother, this might be my only shot at getting Roman Briar to hear me out.

The investigation is closing in. One bad tip, one wrong move, and everything gets pinned on Ana. Those three devils know it, and they’re counting on it.

The courtyard behind the school is a shimmering display of opulence, lights strung from the sprawling gazebo casting a golden glow over the scene. The scent of expensive wine and imported cuisine fills the air as caterers and waiters weave through the crowd, handing out gift bags stuffed with artisanal cheeses and sleek new gadgets.

Walker has planned every detail meticulously. Get the staff drunk, pull the strings from the shadows, and let my brother and Cole lurk just out of sight, watching, waiting.

I keep to myself, my fingers fidgeting with the knot of this damn tie. Despite my protests, Ana insisted it looked nice, tucking a single rose petal into my front pocket before whispering that everything would be okay.

Who knew she’d be the one reassuring me?

I take a long sip of champagne, but the moment Roman and Eden step into the courtyard, all eyes shift to them.

Roman, clad in a sleek black suit, moves with calculated precision. His hair is slicked back, a tattoo peeking from the collar of his crisp shirt. He’s carrying. Of course he is. His sharp gaze barely leaves Eden’s face, softening only when she leans in and presses a kiss to his cheek.

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