Noah didn't reply for a long time. Instead, he sat forward on the edge of the couch and rested his elbows on his knees, clasping them loosely between his open legs. His thick thighs made a serious impression on those pants, stretching the fabric and quickly I came to the conclusion that Noah was too big for his clothes. They fit him, but he was too built to be constrained in suits. He was too big and muscular. That man was born to lie naked on a bed.

"I'm leaving tonight, Thorn." His voice was steady, his tone was calm, but his eyes gave him away. His brown eyes were full of unease as he watched me watching him, gauging my reaction.

"You are?" I heard the disappointment in my own voice and it made me want to kick my own a.s.s. "So soon?"

Noah nodded, emotionless. "I've got a meeting first thing tomorrow morning with the disciplinary board." Clearing his throat, he plucked an invisible thread from his pants before adding, "I'm in deep s.h.i.t, baby. Someone recorded the incident outside the bar last night."

"And what? They want to fire you?" I demanded, outraged. I was trying really hard to rein it in and be a grownup and logical when all I wanted to do was kick the floor and wail like a demon; rant on about how bad of an omen I seemed to be to this man. "They can't fire you," I carried on saying, not waiting for him to reply. "You're Noah f.u.c.king Messina. The MFA would be nothing without you." Shaking my head, I venomously rejected the notion of Noah losing his job because of me. "You're too valuable to them."

Cracking his neck from side to side, Noah let my words sink in for a moment before saying, "Maybe so, but I have to attend."

"This is bulls.h.i.t," I managed to squeeze out, though my chest felt like it was constricting inside of me. My throat felt like it was closing up. The walls around me were closing in and everything was moving in slow motion. We were just getting back on our feet and he was leaving. Karma was playing a mean trick on us.

I couldn't sit still. My eyeb.a.l.l.s were burning, not a good sign.

Climbing clumsily to my feet, I began to clean off the coffee table. "Well, I suppose you were leaving next week anyway," I rambled, forcing myself to sound happy for him. "With the tour kicking off and all." Scooping up the trash in my arms, I forced myself to walk across the room and dump the contents of my arms into the waste bin. "You were never staying here long term."

"I was hoping I would have more time to do this," Noah said cagily, and for a huge man like him, his nervousness was adorable. "But I...f.u.c.k!" His voice broke off and he drummed his fingers against the arm of the couch, clearly struggling with something.

"What Noah is trying to say is how would you feel about accompanying us back to the states?" Lucky interrupted with a smug grin.

"Dammit, Lucky," Noah growled. "I was handling it."

"Oh please," Lucky snickered. "If I didn't say it now, you'd still be here tomorrow trying to find your b.a.l.l.s."

Jerking to his feet, Noah walked towards me with his hands held up in front of him, as if he was trying to capture a flight risk bird or something. "Thorn, just hear me out before you say no "

My feet were moving towards him faster than my brain could catch up. I barreled into his arms, and like always, Noah caught me. "h.e.l.l yes," I squealed, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. "Absolutely."

"Wait...what?" Setting me down on my feet, Noah took a step back, hands still planted firmly on my shoulders, and gaped at me. "For real?"

"Why wouldn't I want to?" I said, grinning. "A vacation with you sounds like music to my ears."

"Well...because you like to fight me on just about everything?" he replied, confused. Suddenly his head snapped back to me. "Hold up. A vacation?" He shook his head. "Thorn, no, that's not what I "

The sudden and urgent rapping on the hotel door drew my attention away from Noah and I skipped over and put my hand on the door handle to open it.

"Teagan. No!" Noah hissed, grabbing my arm and dragging me up against his chest.

"What?" I shrieked, totally freaked out by his sudden movement. "I can't answer a door now?"

"No," he snarled angrily. "You can't answer a door now." Walking us over to the couch, he pushed me down on the seat and towered over me with his hands on his hips, chest heaving. "You don't open doors to strangers, Thorn," he spat, glowering down at me. "You f.u.c.king got that?"

"What's going on here?" I demanded as a trickle of fear ran down my spine. That fear spread further when Noah wouldn't meet me eyes. "Noah," I hissed. "I want to know what the h.e.l.l is going on here?"

Running a hand roughly through his hair, Noah hissed a string of curse words before glancing at Lucky. He tipped his chin and Lucky immediately rose from the couch and moved towards the door. The tension was running off Noah in waves as he stood with his back to me, blocking my view of the door. His stance reminded me of a lion braced for trouble. Adrenalin, fear and l.u.s.t flooded me as I watched this man stand guard over me. For what reason, I had no idea, but I didn't have time to ask, because the minute Lucky opened the door Hope's voice filled my ears.

"Where is she?" she demanded as she stormed into the suite and headed straight for Noah. Noticing me peeking around his huge frame, Hope made a beeline for me. "Why the h.e.l.l haven't you been answering your phone?" Grabbing my arms, she dragged me off the couch, enveloping me in a hug so tight I could hardly breathe. "Well?"

"I left my purse and jacket at the club last night," I managed to choke out, patting her back. "Can you ease up on the loving? I'm kinda suffocating here."

Instantly, Hope released me and took a step back. Only then did I notice the tall man accompanying her.

"Jordan?"

I shook my head and gaped at the man who had broken my best friend's heart.

"What are you doing here?"

"Never mind us. This is about the two of you," Hope countered swiftly as she eyed Noah who was standing slightly apart from me. "What the h.e.l.l have you gotten her into this time?" she demanded, glaring up at him with a murderous expression. Taking a step towards him, Hope raised her hand and slapped Noah across the face.

"Hey," I snapped. Scrambling, I dived between my boyfriend and my best friend. "Don't put your hands on him," I warned her as I kept my back to Noah and glared at Hope. "Noah hasn't gotten me into anything," I added, forcing myself to remain calm even though a reckless streak of protectiveness was coursing through my body. "I'm here because I want to be."

"I'm not talking about you being here, Teagan," Hope shot back, furious, eyes locked on Noah. "I'm talking about the fact that our apartment was trashed last night." Shuddering, she added, "While we were sleeping."

"What?" I whispered, covering my mouth with my hand.

"Your room, Teagan," Hope squeezed out, turning her attention back to me. "It was covered in red roses, all over the floor, the bed. And on your pillow there was...ugh." Covering her face with her hands, she sank down on the couch and groaned. "I don't even want to say it."

Noah stiffened behind me. "Are you okay?" he demanded, moving around me to check his niece. Crouching down on his haunches, Noah looked her over and asked, "Were you harmed?"

"I'm fine," she replied shakily. "Whoever broke in last night wasn't looking for me and I think you know that."

"Did you call the cops?" Noah demanded. "Hope, tell me you didn't call the "

"Of course I didn't," Hope shot back heatedly. "I'm not stupid."

"Okay." Noah sagged in visible relief. "Okay."

"There's more, Teagan," Jordan said in a quiet voice, stepping towards us. He seemed to be having an internal battle with himself, as he looked at Hope with a torn expression, but the hungry expression Lucky wore as he stared unabashedly at Hope seemed to be the game changer for Jordan.

Finally, he exhaled a shaky breath and sat down beside her. When Hope turned her face into his neck, Jordan's face twisted in pain as he inhaled through his nose and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Glancing up at us through thick, sooty lashes, Jordan squeezed out, "There was a bullet on her pillow," he told Noah.

"A bullet?" I gaped at them. "But why?" I forced my mind to think back to everyone I had p.i.s.sed off. Yeah, it was a pretty long list, but nothing I had ever done fortified death threats. "Why is this happening to me?"

Immediately, Noah was in front of me. With his hands on my shoulders, he forced me to look at him. "Breathe," he said in a calm tone, brown eyes locked on mine. "You're safe now. I swear to G.o.d, you are safe, baby."

"I didn't realize I wasn't safe," I shot back, chest heaving. "What's going on, Noah?"

The sound of a phone ringing cut through the air, distracting him.

Growling, Noah slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone before putting it to his ear. I watched as his eyes flashed with anger. Whoever was on the other side of that call had tripped a switch in Noah because he threw his head back roared "f.u.c.k," before stalking off in the direction of the bedroom, with Lucky hot on his heels.

The minute the bedroom door slammed shut behind them, I flew into a blind panic.

"Why is this happening?" I shrieked, pacing the floor. "Why?"

"I don't know, Teagan," Hope, who had gotten to her feet, said as she rushed over to me and wrapped me up in a hug. "But I would take it as a clear message."

"A message about what?" I shrieked. "Oh my G.o.d. Yesterday there was a rose and a note."

"A note?" Hope's brows furrowed.

"Yeah," I choked out. "It said I'm coming."

"You don't open doors to strangers, Thorn. You f.u.c.king got that?"

"What the h.e.l.l have you gotten her into this time?"

I gasped as awareness smacked me straight in the face.

"DID YOU THINK WE WERE GOING to sit back and watch you and that s.l.u.t have everything after destroying our world?"

JD's familiar voice filled my ears and my blood ran cold. Every ounce of fear and anger I was feeling escalated at a rapid pace.

Conscious of Teagan watching my every move, I stormed into the bedroom and out of earshot. Lucky followed after me, closing the door in his tracks. I appreciated it. Teagan was already terrified. I didn't need her hearing this conversation.

"Leave her out of this," I warned him, pacing the room. "I f.u.c.king mean it, a.s.shole. This is between you and me."

"And where would the fun be in that?" he sneered. "No, I'm enjoying this little game of cat and mouse. But I have to say, I don't blame you for losing your head over her." Chuckling, he added, "I'm going to enjoy breaking her in."

"You'll never get within sniffing distance of her," I hissed with a death grip on my phone. "And if you try, I will kill you."

"Big words, little brother," he chuckled. "I wonder if you can back them up."

"Oh I can back it up," I snarled. "Face me like a f.u.c.king man and I'll show you just how well I can back it up."

"Did she like the gift?" he added, taunting me, f.u.c.king driving me bats.h.i.t crazy. "I have to say, it's not like her to stay out all night. But then again, she was always stupid when it came to you."

"What?" I deadpanned.

"I know all about your little thorn, Messina," JD laughed. "Where she lives. The gym she works in. The friends she hangs out with. h.e.l.l, I even know what time she leaves her apartment each morning and returns each night. I've had eyes on her for years now, you stupid little p.r.i.c.k. She looked real good in that little white dress last night..."

"Why now?" I demanded, chest heaving. "If you've been watching her all these years, then why make your move now?"

"Where would the fun have been in taking her before you two kissed and made up?" he laughed cruelly. "You know how I like to play with my kill. I'm going to take her from you. You'll never see it coming, and when I do, she's going to wish she was dead."

"This isn't about her and you know it," I managed to grind out, jaw clenched. "This is about me. So f.u.c.king come at me. Leave her out of this."

"On the contrary," he countered. "My father held a particularly nasty grudge against the little b.i.t.c.h for taking his prized fighter away."

"She didn't do s.h.i.t, JD." Running my hand through my hair in frustration, I hissed, "I was never staying with your father."

"In fact," he continued, ignoring what I had said. "His dying wish was for me to drain that little b.i.t.c.h's body of blood while you watch helplessly."

"Try it and I guarantee you I'll be waiting for you, a.s.shole," I snarled. "No one is going to touch her. So you can send your army. f.u.c.king bring it. Because I will take every one of you motherf.u.c.kers down."

"Clock is ticking, Messina. I'll be seeing you two real soon," he said and then the line went dead.

"He was in her G.o.dd.a.m.n house," I roared, flinging my phone across the room. "He's been watching her all this f.u.c.king time, Lucky." I choked out, sinking down on the bed. "How the h.e.l.l am I supposed to tell her?"

"I don't know," he replied calmly. "But she can't be left in the dark, Noah. Not about something like this." Walking over to where my phone was, Lucky bent down and retrieved it. "Listen," he told me as he tapped at the screen. "I'll go over to her apartment and pick up some stuff. Stay with her. I'll meet you both at the airport in an hour."

"Make sure you bring a photograph of her mother," I told him. "There's one on her nightstand."

Lucky nodded once before putting the phone to his ear. "Hey man, it's me. I need a favor..." I heard him say before moving towards the window.

"Noah!" Teagan's voice boomed through my ears as she marched into the bedroom. "What are you hiding from me?"

I couldn't look at her face. It was too f.u.c.king painful.

There was only one thing I could think of and that was Teagan was making it out of this mess alive.

If I had to die in the process then so f.u.c.king be it.

"NOAH!" I ROARED AS I STALKED through the suite towards the bedroom with my heart hammering in my chest.

Stopping outside the bedroom door, I inhaled a deep calming breath, and braced myself before pushing it inward.

"What are you hiding from me?" Clamping my hands firmly on my hips I drank in the sight of Noah, sitting on the edge of the bed with his head bent and hands hanging loosely between his legs.

Lucky was standing by the window talking low and fast into his phone. When he noticed my presence, he nodded to Noah and walked out of the room, phone still welded to his ear as he barked orders to whoever was on the other line.

"What's going on, Noah?" I repeated. Him being unable to look me in the eye was my first warning of trouble. The swell of obscenities he muttered under his breath was my second. "I'm no wallflower, Noah," I added in a shaky tone. "And I'm not stupid. I know you're hiding something from me."

"I'm thinking here, Thorn." Jerking off the bed, he stalked over to the window. With his arms braced against the sill, Noah hissed, "Give me a minute. Please."

"No," I shot back, marching towards him. "I will not give you a minute." Grabbing his arm, I forced him to look at me. "I'm being threatened. Some freak filled my bedroom with roses and put a bullet on my f.u.c.king pillow," I screamed. "So talk to me, dammit."

Noah's eyes flashed with anger and for a moment I thought he was going to explode. "I'm so f.u.c.king sorry for dragging you back into this," he choked out.

"Dragging me back into what, Noah?" I whispered, terrified.

"JD is back."

"No." The moment those words came out of Noah's mouth I began to shake. "I thought that was over." Tears filled my eyes. The ground fell out from beneath my feet as I spiraled into a full-blown panic attack. "Please tell me this isn't true."

"This is my fault," Noah choked out, eyes wild with fear and anger. "He's using my feelings for you against me, making you a target..." his voice broke off and he groaned like he was in physical pain. "Making you the only f.u.c.king target."

"He's coming for me?" I whispered in a small voice.

"You think I'm gonna let him get near you?" Noah demanded, pulling me into his arms. "Not a chance, baby. You're safe. I f.u.c.king promise you, I will not let anything happen to you," he snarled, holding me tightly. "Why the h.e.l.l do you think I want you on that plane with me?" Leaning back, Noah looked into my eyes. "I've been trying to figure out how to get you on there since I found out he was back." He shuddered and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I need you with me, Thorn, so I can keep you safe. If anything bad happened to you because of me, it would kill me. I can't be responsible for that."

"Is that why you came back for me?" I whispered, stepping out of his arms, my blood turning to ice in my veins. "Why you want me to go back to the states with you out of duty?"

"What?" Noah blanched and shook his head. "No. Of f.u.c.king course it isn't," he growled. "I want you to come so I can keep you safe."

"See, there's that word again," I muttered, taking a step back. "Safe." Wiping my cheeks, I looked up at him and said, "I don't want you to want me with you for those reasons."