Page 125 of Under the Lies

I knew his words on the dance floor were an act.

I stare at the chessboard, at the pieces that haven’t moved for days. They’re waiting, like me, for when the next move will be made.

Noah hasn’t been home in two days. Haven’t seen him since I left Harlots.

He called a couple hours after I got home that night, saying Seamus came through with a lead on where Harlow was. Since then, radio silence.

For the past two days, I’ve been nothing but a bundle of questions.

Where is he? Is he okay? Why hasn’t he contacted me?

Is it because he hasn’t found Harlow? Is it because he has?

There’s a hurricane of swirling emotions inside me. Worry from his silence, anxiety over him and Harlow together again, but the biggest one of all? Fury. Slow burning embers roasting over charcoal.

He left.

Said all those things to me at Harlots, sent my heart aflutter and pulse into a tizzy and then left.

Sure, he sent a measly text, but that doesn’t even count. I’m not counting it. He wants to go off without keeping me updated? Fine.

While the Devil’s away, this siren will play.

I march into the elevator, hitting the button for the lobby. I’m not going to stay locked in this tower awaiting his return.

No longer does his penthouse feel like my prison and I no longer a prisoner. I’m comfortable in a place that started out as my cell. I never thought that’d happen, but it did. I like it here.

No, I more than like.

I love Noah’s apartment.

I love the windows downstairs that display the skyline of this messed up town.

I love the open floor plan.

And even with the dark decor, I’ve started to find a comfort in it.

But most of all, I enjoy the man who lives here.

But without him here it’s too quiet. Too still.

Too empty without Noah’s arrogant ass to help fill it.

I don’t know where I’m going as I ride the elevator down, all I know is that I’m bored and hungry and will not waste my life away in Noah’s glass and marble castle.

And if he happens to return while I’m out?

Well…

He can come find me.

It’s not until I’m stepping into the lobby that I see the gruff, sullen faces of my two bodyguards. Silent One and Silent Two as I like to call them since they’ve refused to say anything, even their names.

They stare at me with dead eyes and crossed arms.

“Hiya boys.” I give them a wide smile, walking toward them like their presence doesn’t annoy me.

I know why I have them, why they’re necessary. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it. They make me feel helpless. Like I can’t protect myself.

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