Page 22 of Risky Taste
Chapter fourteen
NOAH
“Are you fucking serious?” Kurt’s voice hisses through clenched teeth, a sharp whisper that cuts the air outside the venue. His arm slings over my shoulder, pinning me in place as we stand in our stiff suits, the fabric itching against my skin. The funeral was beautiful, a quiet tribute to Ronny that ended just moments ago, but we couldn’t drag Kurt aside until now. I haven’t seen Heath yet, but his texts haunt me and it’s only a matter of time before he shows up. They’re not just words—everyone sees an obsessive ex, a shadow I can’t shake, but I feel the venom beneath, the hidden threats coiled in every line. He’s going to make sure I feel the same heat he is with all of Declan’s digging.
The worst part is that I have no idea what Declan found. I asked him not to tell me but now I’m curious.
Kurt’s grip tightens, his breath hot against my ear. “Are you telling me that your ex is coming here? For what? To drumup drama? I thought you divorced him.” My brother didn’t ask why I showed up with his friends or why I’ve been attached to Sebastian’s side. Maybe he’s giving me a break just for today but I’m grateful for it.
I sigh, letting my shoulders fall as I push away from Kurt. “We’re separated. I’ve been trying to get him to sign the papers but he thinks I’ll miraculously want him back at some point. As for why he’s coming here, I don’t know.”
Which is partly the truth. I don’t know why Heath would comehereversus the house or the clinic. He most likely wants to make a splash, threaten me while I can’t act out or stand behind the men I've most certainly been spending my time with.
I gesture to the large doors, wanting to check in with Ginny before we leave. “Just going to say goodbye, alright? I’ll be back.” It feels too easy as I skip up the steps, finding Ginny sitting a few feet away from Ronny’s casket. She opens her arms for me, kissing the top of my head as I hold onto her.
We sit in silence, giving each other warmth until Sarah joins us, the tears free falling. I still feel like it’s my fault but their soft words, telling me I was the reason he was so excited to get up in the morning, the reason he always looked forward to driving over to the clinic helps. It helps that I made a difference, however small, in his life before he left us, before the demons stole him away.
It takes a while for me to untangle myself and steal away to the bathroom to wash my face. The reflection staring back at me is one I barely recognize, bloodshot eyes, ashen skin, and despair lingering in my dull brown eyes.
I reach forward, hoping that the man in the mirror will understand he’s no longer alone—that he has three men standing behind him, ready and willing to share some of the burden.It’ll be okay,I murmur to myself, dragging my finger down the reflection’s cheek.It has to be.
Splashing some water on my face, I stuff down all the prickly emotions so I can take a step forward. Ronny would have never wanted me to mope around or despair now that he was gone. As hard as that’s going to be, I have to start somewhere.
I barely make it to the door of the bathroom when a familiar, chilling laughter seeps through. My stomach drops and I step back in horror as Heath slips inside. He locks the door before grinning at my shock, continuing to move forward until I’m pressed up against the sink, the porcelain cutting into my back.
I’m not the helpless man he married but fuck if my body doesn’t betray me as he places his hands on either side of me, holding onto the sink and casing me in. A wild grin splits across his face, none of the love and devotion he used to exhibit in this expression. “Call your goddamn guard dogs off my ass,” he breathes, his words hot against my cheek.
I hadn’t realized how free I’ve felt without him hovering until now. I’m done playing his games though and if I can’t command my body, I can at least summon my words, drawing on the knowledge that if one of my men catch Heath, it’ll be game over. “Or what?”
He steps back, huffing a laugh, surprise flickering across his face. “Or what?” He mimics me, folding his arms across his chest, his sneer twisting into something uglier. “Or I’ll let your brother know who you’re spending your time with. I’m sure he’s noticed but the number of times you’ve found your way into that hotel room… Is it just one or all three?”
He’s been watching me. Watchingusand that terrifies me. My curiosity churns in my gut and I know I’m going to regret asking. “What the fuck did you do?” I fold my arms across my chest to hide my fear. The only way out is through Heath and that’s not an option.
“Doesn’t matter. Just know that I’m not the only fucking guilty one here. Should your boy toys look a bit deeper, they’ll find someone else’s name written all over those fucking documents.”
Confusion sweeps over me. I understand all the words that came out of his mouth but not what they mean. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying that wonderful brother of yours knows a little more than he lets on.” Heath’s grin widens, his laughter echoing against the tiles. “He might be furious if he finds you hoeing around with his friends, Noah, but if I were to say… drop his name in the wrong circles?” He steps closer, searching my expression but thankfully doesn’t touch me again. “You used to love me enough to do anything I asked. What happened?”
“You happened!” The memories surge—his hands on me, his rage, the nights I begged for it to stop, the mornings I woke bruised and hollow. They threaten to break me all over again but I’m not allowing myself to fall apart in front of this man. I clear my throat, hardening my expression. “Sign the goddamn papers and have some tact. We’re at Ronny’s funeral. Let me grieve in peace.”
Hollow words to him as he just shakes his head. “Tell ‘em to back off and I’ll sign anything you fucking want.”
Then he just unlocks the bathroom door and walks out like he didn’t just threaten me and reveal that there’s something else going on behind the scenes. My problem is that he just admitted he’s somehow in bed with my brother. Figuratively. Which means my pleas to keep Heath away from me probably fell on deaf ears.
Chapter fifteen
NOAH
I’m not sure how long I stay in the bathroom but it’s at least long enough for my men to realize I was gone too long. The door creaks open, Logan’s heavy sigh cutting through the fog. He steps inside, his broad frame filling the space. “Come on, babe,” he whispers as he pulls me into his chest, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “I have absolutely no idea how he even got in but he’s gone now. Let’s get you home. I think this was enough stimulation for today.”
I’m thankful for the push as we head out to the car, the drive home quiet and a little strained. Kurt’s not there when I’m all but carried to the couch, too many thoughts running around in my head. I don’t even know where to start, brows furrowed as I sift through all the things Heath said.
Declan leans over the back of the couch, massaging a thumb between my brows. “What’s got you thinking so hard? What did Heath say to you?”
“How do you know he said anything to me?”
Logan snorts. “Bunny, I found you dazed in a bathroom, staring at the door. Not to mention that we caught Heath and all he said was for us to ‘go check on our boy’.” He plops down on the other side of me. “So, what happened in there? Did he touch you?”
