Page 51 of Burdens
“Not until you tell me what the hell is going on?” he insisted, not moving.
I closed my eyes in frustration. I was already regretting my decision to bring him with me and we hadn’t even made it out yet. I faced him again, locking my gaze with his.
“I don’t know if you remember, but Ididsay we didn’t have much time. Which includes time for questions. You can either come with me or die here. I couldn’t fucking care less, but you better decide fast before webothend up dead,” I said, turning away from him.
I’d barely reached for the door handle when he stopped me again. “Amalia,” he whispered.
I swear to God I’m about to put a bullet in his head.
I opened my mouth, but before I could tear him a new one, he seized my arms and yanked me back with urgency. With a swift motion, he pressed his other hand firmly over my mouth and pulled my body flush against his, pressing our bodies tightly against the cold stone wall.
Furious, I moved to push him off, but he held me firmly against him, his eyes hard on mine. He leaned his head down until his breath fanned over my ear. “You can thank me later,” he said as I heard the faint shuffle of footsteps outside.
He pulled back, his lips brushing against my skin in the process, and I had to suppress the shiver the contact initiated.
Something must definitely be wrong with my system because what the hell were all these reactions my body was having to Noah? Not only had I not seen this man in ten years, I wasn’tparticularly fond of him, so why was I fucking reacting toanythingin regards to him?
Pull it together, Amalia.
In the tense stillness of the moment, we both held our breaths, our eyes locked on one another, waiting for whoever was outside to pass us by unnoticed. After what felt like an eternity, Noah hovered over me and cautiously glanced through the small window of the door.
“He’s gone,” he said, letting go of me.
“I figured.”
“Athank youwouldn’t hurt.”
I ignored him and looked at my watch, realizing the game was over and we’d lost our safe window to leave the premises without a hitch. I reached for my boot and pulled out a spare pistol.
I was good but not stupid. There was no way we would get out of here with me being the only armed. And I hated to admit it, but he was a pretty good shot, and we’d need it.
“There are seven guards on the property tonight, and one more guarding the large entry gate. My car’s in the garage, so keep low and avoid being seen.” I placed the gun in his palm and added, “And for the love of God, don’t do anything stupid.”
“Why are there only seven guards? That’s not normal.”
Since we were already running out of time, I didn’t spare a thought to how he knew that and answered him, “Barrera’s out tonight. He went to the Crown Prince’s twentieth birthday bash with Hamza and most of the crew.” What I didn’t reveal was that I was the one behind it. He didn’t need to know that.
“Any more questions?”
“Later, but for now, lead the way, pretty girl.”
Ignoring the nickname, I looked out the window and when I confirmed that no one was outside, I opened the door and kept close to the wall, navigating us toward the garage. Once insidethe brightly lit multi-car garage, I beelined for my vehicle and popped the back open.
“Get in,” I commanded, pointing at the trunk.
“No, I’ll drive,” he said, already making his way to the driver’s side of my compact SUV.
I wiped a frustrated hand over my face and glared at him. “Noah, I swear I’ll leave you behind to fend for yourself if you keep pushing against everything I ask of you.”
He opened the car’s door. “Amalia, whether we like it or not, they’ll know we’re gone within the next few minutes. You’re a better shot and I’m a better driver, so get in the car. Nowyou’rethe one wasting time.”
The fucking audacity of this man. My patience was running thin, but he had a point. It was just a question of minutes before they realized that Noah was gone and I was too.
I slammed the trunk closed and hurried to jump into the passenger’s seat. Noah got into the driver’s seat and turned the engine on. The garage door slid open as he approached it and he merged into the gravel road that led down to the iron gates at the front.
I knew the doors would open automatically after scanning my license plate at the front, but it didn’t stop my heart from wanting to leap out of my chest as we drove toward the front gate.
I hadn’t felt this way in a long time and I couldn’t say I’d missed it.
