Page 78 of Filthy Liar

The door handle rattled, making him flinch, but he relaxed a little as Slash spoke. “It’s me. Open up.”

Noah wouldn’t let go, so I had to shuffle us across the room to unlock the door, finding Slash and Caden both there.

“You’re not hurt?” Caden asked, inspecting Noah, who shook his head. He still wouldn’t let me go, and I wasn’t even sure if he was aware he was still clinging to me.

I lifted my hand to stroke the back of his head, only making him burrow into me even more. He didn’t resemble that cocky seventeen-year-old anymore, he looked more like a terrified middle schooler who just needed his mom.

“You’re okay,” I repeated, his breathing starting to even out.

“You’re bleeding,” Slash stated, and I glanced at my arm to see blood dripping down my bicep. Noah pulled away with a jerk, his eyes going straight to it.

“You got shot because of me?”

“We got attacked because of me,” I corrected, not wanting him to blame himself. “I told Slash I’d keep you safe, and I meant it. I’m sorry I put you in danger.”

“No, you don’t understand. Those are the guys that have been bothering me,” he said with panic, his shaky hands reaching out to push the sleeve off my arm to see better. “I should’ve just told you. I didn’t think they’d?—”

“Slow down,” Slash said calmly, his eyes pinned on Noah. “What guys?”

Noah swallowed, embarrassment flooding his face. “They show up at school regularly. They’ve been trying to get me to talk to them about crew stuff. I didn’t tell them anything though, I don’t even know much.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Slash’s voice was calm, but I could sense the rage burning below the surface.

“I thought I had it handled. I just kept telling them to go away, then I started changing the times I arrived or left school so they couldn’t run into me. They were so much like Lincoln, but I wasn’t going to let them trick me like he did. I had to prove to myself that I didn’t need help,” he croaked out.

“Noah, I can admire your bravery, but I will also tell you how stupid that was. Those guys aren’t wannabe gangsters like Lincoln. It’s the Italian mafia. How long have they been bothering you?”

“A few months,” he said awkwardly, his eyes on my arm. “Shouldn’t you patch that up?”

“Lopez won’t fucking die, he’s had worse,” Slash grunted, and I rolled my eyes.

“Thanks, dude.”

“Don’tdudeme. You want to be helpful? Go help out there so we can talk to Noah,” he sighed, motioning to my arm. “There’s a medical kit behind the bar. Go patch yourself up if it’s not too bad.”

I got a better look, seeing it was only a surface wound. “Looks fine. I’ll leave you guys to it.”

I went to leave, but Slash stopped me. “Thanks for getting him back here safely. I didn’t even think about the fact that you’re currently mafia bait, so I’m sorry for putting you in that position.”

“It’s fine. I can't hide forever. I did that with my father, and I sure as fuck won’t be doing it again. We’ll get them,” I said confidently, making him nod as he stepped out of my way.

“We will.”

Noah looked freaked out about me leaving, but I gave him a reassuring smile as I left and shut the door to give them privacy. It wasn’t like they were going to start yelling at him, they were just worried.

I moved behind the bar and grabbed the medical kit, starting to clean myself up when Skeeter and Rory walked through the door, Skeeter making a beeline for me. He shoved me, not hiding his anger.

“What the fuck were you doing with Noah?” he snarled, and Rory stood back with her arms crossed, waiting for an answer.

“Just following orders. Slash told me to pick him up from school, he got suspended,” I answered as I caught myself on the bar, grabbing some antiseptic wipes to clean up the blood.

“Why would he fucking send you? Look what happened!”

“Skeet!” Slash snapped as he yanked open the office door. “Get in here.”

“I’m not finished with you,” he growled at me as he stalked off, Rory eyeing me.

“You want to tell me what happened? Slash called to tell me you guys were chased by the mafia, and from the state of Logan’s car, I dare say they shot at you.”

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