Page 53 of To Hate You

And Silas laughed while I was convinced Andrew had just taken his last breath.

I jumped out of bed just as Spencer quickly put himself between Noah and Andrew, trying to prevent Armageddon from happening.

“Guys, stop.” I touched Noah’s arm, but he didn’t take his eyes off Andrew.

“I’m going to kill you,” he spat out, pointing at Andrew over Spencer’s shoulder.

“For what? Helping her? I’m sure you would have done the same thing…if you were there!”

“Okay, cowboy.” Silas patted Andrew on the shoulder, urging him to step back. “Your determination to piss Noah off is commendable. But as I was reminded earlier, this guy has a gun and the skill to end you while sipping your Starbucks.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, seriously. All of you, this shit ends now. Spencer, Silas, Andrew,” I cut my glare between the three of them, “I appreciate you all trying to be protective, but it’s no longer cute. So stop.” I turned to Noah, his eyes a blazing blue. “And you; stop wanting to tear Andrew’s skin off. He’s been nothing but nice to me.”

“I don’t like him.” His nostrils flared.

“You don’t have to like him. But, for God’s sake, Noah,” I clutched my belly, “I’m pregnant with your baby; that’s kind of a big deal. And not to mention that you kidnapped me after you disappeared for weeks, yet I’m still here loving you as I have from the start. You have absolutely no reason to be jealous.” I stalked closer, placing my hands on his chest, feeling his fast heartbeat beneath my palms. “It’s you, Noah. It’s always been you.”

His eyes found mine, and he lifted my chin with a gentle touch of his finger. “I’ll apologize for leaving you. I’ll apologize for kidnapping you.” He leaned down, his mouth a mere breath from mine. “But I will never apologize for wanting to make sure every man in the entire goddamn world knows you’re mine.” I shuddered when his lips brushed against mine—a simple touch, a tender kiss, and a hard promise. “You’re a beautiful woman, baby girl. And you’re my woman—which means I’ll be walking around with a loaded gun for the rest of my fucking life.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning into him as the rest of the world evaporated around us. “That. Is by far. Thesexiestthing anyone has ever said to me.”

A gasp escaped me when he grabbed my waist and pulled me tighter against him, slamming his lips against mine. His tongue lapped against mine with a desperate sweep, his taste exploding in my mouth, reminding me that no one else could kiss me the way he did. No other man could touch me the way he did; make me submit and surrender so easily the way he did.

“Ah-hem.” Silas cleared his throat. “Unless there’s two blondes on their way so we all can jump on this orgy train, please stop.”

I snickered, feeling my cheeks burn.

“Also,” he continued. “Is this the right time to tell you your ass is showing again?”

Noah flicked his wrist, jerking me around and pulling my back against his front, causing me to yelp. “Okay, seriously,” he pointed at Andrew, “now I have to kill him.”

Chapter21

Noah

Itook the envelope from Watson. “This is everything?”

“Yup. I had to pull a few strings and called in favors from high places, but I got her added in there, too.”

I licked my lips, brushing my fingers along the edges of the rough paper. I knew the weight it carried on the inside. It was plan B—a plan Watson had put together years ago, one I chose not to follow. Why? Because I wasn’t ready to give up my past. I wasn’t ready to let go. Evie was a part of who I was; she was the most significant element to my existence, tied to my every breath as well as my name.

Noah Alexander.

Evie Joy Alexander.

But it was time. It was time to move on, and even though it killed me to ask it of her, I hoped like hell Sienna would understand.

“I um…” God, this was hard.

“I know.” Watson nodded, and I clenched my jaw.

“Thanks, man. For doing this.”

“I told you, I got your back. Always.” He slipped on his jacket. “I’m going to make sure our route to the airport is secure. Double-check everything so there’s no surprises.”

I merely nodded and inhaled deep, preparing myself for the hardest fucking part. The part where I had to ask Sienna to sacrifice everything.

I walked back into the room; my stomach coiled tight, knowing what I had to do, what I had to ask of her.

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