Page 127 of Lust & Lies
“Okay, love,” I told her. “I’ll order some food for breakfast. I don’t want you eating cold cereal.”
“Is there a place that delivers way out at the estate?”
There was a family diner that delivered. It would take them almost thirty minutes to get to our estate, and they’d expect a damn good tip. But it would be worth it. Or, I could send Chan to pick it up and play the role of delivery guy.
“Yes, they deliver to our estate, love,” I told her.
“Perfect. Let’s eat cereal for breakfast, then order out for lunch. Then you and I can work on dinner together. And if you’re done with work by morning, we can try to go out for breakfast then.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I told her.
Smiling, she resumed staring out the window. I glanced her way a few times. She looked relaxed now. Not as upset as she’d been earlier. If I could keep her in a good mood, maybe our conversation about our past would go smoothly.
I steered the car back toward our country estate. We drove in silence, preparing to leave the city behind and return to what was supposed to be our little haven. But now, the watchdogs were on to us, and we’d have to leave it soon.
On top of that, I had this shit with the Bak hotel to deal with. This had to be punishment for all the reckless shit I’d done thesepast months. I hadn’t planned for problems like these to arise. My carefully thought-out plan was unravelling at the seams and I...
“Watch out!” Noe screamed.
I automatically jerked the wheel, eyes refocusing on the road as a car swerved into my lane, trying to merge onto the exit ahead of me. I jerked the wheel more to avoid hitting the back of the car, my arm shooting out to protect Noe.
My car skidded across gravel and dirt. I slammed on the brakes, but the car didn’t stop in time. We hit the tree. The impact jolted the whole car. Noe’s body lurched forward, then back, her seatbelt catching her.
It all happened so fast. Breathing heavily, arm still outstretched, I stared out the front window. The hood of the car was smashed in. It looked like a wrecking ball had crumpled it. Steam hissed up from under the hood.
The smell of burnt rubber filled the air. I looked over at Noe. Her wide eyes met mine for a moment, just a moment, and then they fluttered shut.Oh, no!
“Noe!” I reached for her. “Noe, baby, open your eyes.”
There wasn’t any blood on her. No scratches. No visible injuries. But she wasn’t moving. Her eyes weren’t open. Fear cut through me.
“Noe!” I cradled her face. “Noelani! Look at me. Open your eyes for me, baby.”
She didn’t respond. Tears blurred my vision. A knock sounded on the passenger side window. Blinking, I stared over at Chan, a member of my security team who’d been tailing us. I leaned across the seat and unlocked the door.
“Help me get her out!” I told him.
Chan opened her door as I fumbled with her seatbelt, trying to be quick about it without hurting her. Why the hell wasn’t she waking up? My hands were trembling badly, my mind racing,filling with the worst-case scenarios. Once I had her unbuckled, Chan eased her out of the car.
“Careful,” I told him, watching him lift her.
I got out on my side and came around the back. By the time I reached her side of the vehicle, Chan was already walking toward me, carrying Noe in his arms.
“She’s not waking up,” I told him. “I need to get her to a hospital. Now.”
“You can’t take her to a hospital, boss. Not right now. Your grandfather’s got eyes on every medical center in the area.”
Fuck. He was right. Grandfather still didn’t believe Noe was dead. He was keeping an eye on Medical Facilities just in case she showed up at one. He was also monitoring all of her aliases in case she used one.
Credit cards, computers, cell phones,he was keeping track of all of it. And he had access to all of it because she still worked for him. I never should’ve left the estate with her. What the fuck was I thinking?
“Give her to me,” I insisted.
Chan handed her over carefully. I held her close, trying not to let my panic make me do anything irrational.
“Handle the wreck,” I told Chan. “And give me your keys.”
He passed them to me without question.
