Page 117 of The Loves We Lost
Noah’s eyes narrow. “Your phone has already been dealt with. So has your car. If the Outlaws ask about you in the interim, before they send our money back, I’ll tell them you were here, but then you left.”
“They won’t buy that. You’ve met Vex. He’ll find every camera in a five-mile radius and check every last one.”
“I know your story, Vi. How you bailed on this life once. How you got cold feet about the two of you. I’ll tell them you were talking to Sarah about this life and how you suddenly freaked out and said something about needing to get away. How you were crying when you left. How you said you had to get out of here because it wasn’t safe. That you mentioned hiding from Bates so he couldn’t find you.”
The pain that would cause Miles is limitless. Would he believe it? Would he be so angry with me that he’d stop lookingfor me? Have I done enough to prove to him that I would never do that to him again?
“Please, Noah. Don’t do that to him.”
“Once we have the money back, you’ll be set free.”
“Your words suggest otherwise. I’ll tell them it was you. There won’t be a place you can hide from his vengeance. And if you think Niro and Catalina wouldn’t spend the rest of their lives trying to kill you, you’re mistaken. There would be no need to lay this trail of us leaving if you don’t intend to ...” I realize Avery is gripping my hand harder, and I squeeze it but keep my focus on Noah.
“Shut up, Vi. Just ... do as you’re told, and it will be fine.”
“Are we leaving, Momma?” Avery’s voice is so small. I don’t know how to have this conversation with Noah without scaring her further.
There must be some way to convince him. Some other way to get him to rethink his options. My mind is racing, but I pick one.
“You have a daughter, Noah. You know how it feels when you think of anything happening to her. Can you imagine what it would do to Miles to lose her?”
“Yes, I fucking can, Vi. Because I’ll lose my daughter if I don’t do this.”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“It doesn’t matter. Why the hell are you moving the furniture?”
But it’s too late. I see a gap. And one thing I know through my writing is how to be persuasive in words. My brain struggles to find the right ones. Should I pretend to be kind? Compassionate? Angry.
“Were you threatened too? I’m trying to do what you would do in the same situation. I’m trying to protect my child. It sounds like you know how that feels.”
“Momma?” Avery says, the word filled with fear. She’s scared, her palm growing clammy in my own.
I bend and cup her cheeks, swiping the tears beneath her eyes with my thumbs. “Mommy is trying to solve a problem with Noah. It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m sure Uncle Colton and Daddy will come to us soon. And when they do, they’ll talk to Noah and fix everything.” I look back up to Noah, who keeps glancing at the doorway. “You and I both know there are only two outcomes in this. If you tell me what’s going on, I might be able to help you.”
Footsteps move around upstairs, and we’re both silent for a second until they are still again.
“I served time. The club knows. It’s part of my record. I ... shit ... I ...”
“Noah, tell me. Please. Maybe I can help.”
Sweat beads on his forehead, and he begins to pace. “No one can help me. I’m stuck between a rock and a fucking hard place. And I need to put my daughter first. The Brotherhood threatened to take Rebecca away from me. They’ll do it legally, saying I’m unfit. I went away for assault of a driver who knocked me off my bike. They said they’d make it look like Sarah was scared for her life, that I abused her. Or they’d do it illegally. There’s nothing Sarah’s half-brother won’t do for her or she for him. I didn’t know that when I married her. That’s why I was trying to become a brother, to spy for them. Fuck ... I don’t even want to be a part of this shit, but I can’t leave my daughter behind.”
“Help me get out of here, and I swear I’ll speak to the club to help you get Rebecca away. Just, please, Noah. I know you care about your daughter. But Miles really cares for me and Avery and the baby. If you don’t help me, they won’t hesitate to ... do what they have to do.”
“Fuck,” Noah curses.
“Use your phone. Tell them I’m still here. Tell them where the people upstairs are planning to take me. Do something, Noah. I know you are a better man than this. Please.”
He reaches on top of the tall bookshelf and pats around before retrieving a small key. With it, he unlocks one of the basement windows. It’s narrow, but it slides open, and Noah makes quick work of the screen.
“Quick, I’ll get you out of here. Go via the trail out back, heading left. I’ll find a way to leave the house with Rebecca and meet you there.”
“God. Thank you.” I lift Avery, and she climbs out of the window onto the stones outside. Noah boosts me so I can wriggle through. Once on the ground, I turn. “Go, Noah. Quick,” I say.
But as he steps towards the basement door, he glances back at me, fear in his eyes. “Run,” he whispers forcefully.
Avery is crying now, and I scoop her into my arms. “We have to go, baby. Quick.”
