Page 98 of Noah

Suddenly, Mhane rushed to Adrienne’s side, first aid box open, phone to her ear, frantically calling emergency services until Adrienne wasn’t even sure she had heard Noah admitting he couldn’t live without her.

“…concussion…uhuh. What? She, uh, fell over.” Mhane rolled her eyes as a tinny voice replied, “And what did she fall over?” Mhane sneered at Noah as she covered the mouthpiece and bit out, “A great big useless lump.”

Then Mhane took her hand away before Noah could respond. “A flat surface.” Mhane pinched her brows, looking pained. “Yes, you heard right, she was running. Didn’t have shoes on and stepped on something, then rolled, fell, and smashed across the pavement. Yes…okay.”

Adrienne lay flat on her back as Mhane carefully washed out the scrapes on her arms, picking bits of dirt out with a deep grimace.

Adrienne let Mhane fuss, then tilted her head and noticed Noah leaning against one of the few trees in the complex. Helplessness and guilt stamped on his face.

Her heart clenched so she took a deep breath, trying to shift the ache. Mhane must have thought it was pain Mhane started shoving painkillers into her hands, a bottle of water, and babbled on the phone.

Adrienne didn’t hear anything Mhane said because her eyes were on Noah.

Noah’s eyes were sunken. He looked like he hadn’t been sleeping and if he felt even a fraction of what Adrienne did then his heart was dust.

“Noah,” she whispered.

Noah’s eyes widened and he straightened. His eyes were filled with love, and he was shielding nothing from her.

Noah saw guilt, shame, remorse, and also a hell of a lot of fear Adrienne wouldn’t come back to him.

If only she could trust that he had her best interests at heart, but how could she trust him? Noah had manipulated her, and Adrienne had let him.

Mhane snapped her fingers in Adrienne’s face, glaring at Noah as if it was his fault she was on the floor.

Adrienne grabbed Mhane’s hand and pleaded, “Please give me a minute.”

Mhane looked ready to say no, but Adrienne was an adult and she had been through lots. Adrienne could handle it fine. “Please, baby sister.”

Mhane’s eyes softened, and she grudgingly conceded. “Hold this to your head.” An ice pack thrust at her. “If you feel faint, stop talking and tell us. You could have a concussion. You should be fine recovering at home.” Mhane’s venomous glare toward Noah made it clear Adrienne’s home wasn’t with Noah.

“I’ll be just over there.” Mhane thrust her finger violently at a spot against the building.

It was like having a babysitter. Adrienne had to suppress a smile at Mhane’s overprotection. Her baby sister was getting it all wrong. Adrienne was supposed to protect her.

Noah was at her side in seconds. Using the speed of his beast she barely saw him move before he crouched beside her, gently supporting her as she sat.

“Thanks.” Adrienne scooted away from his hand. His touch would only confuse things.

He fisted his hand and let it drop. Falling to his arse beside her, he choked her shins and winced when he saw how bruised they would be. The purplish red mark had already formed, and two discoloured lumps decorated her shins. “Ren.”

She grimaced at him. “You don’t know what to say either, huh?”

Noah bit his lip; his fangs drew blood, and she made a sound. He placed his thumb on his lip, glanced at the blood, and sighed, “If you would let me finish, I would have told you it would never happen. I would never kick you out of Moon or try and improve on perfection. You’re it for me.”

“Noah. I need time.” She gestured at him and the house. “You being here constantly isn’t giving me time to think.” Noah’s face fell and as much as she wanted to comfort him, she knew what she needed. “I need space.”

“Space,” Noah spat out as if the word itself was loathsome and had personally offended him.

“Yes, space,” Adrienne insisted. “No flowers or other gifts. Time without seeing you every day.” She added because she couldn’t handle him standing outside anymore.

Every time she felt stronger and decided to face the world, she had to see him when she opened the door. It brought new heartache when she saw him.

“Time,” he repeated. His eyes crossed. “Time…” Biting the words off, Noah watched her with his eyes pinched.

“I’ll call you,” she promised.

She would keep that promise because no matter what happened between them, she would need to get her things if she was leaving for good.

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