“And thank goodness he did, or I would’ve fallen.”
“Fallen?”
“I was helping to clean Ada’s fans, and I—”
“What the fuck?” Noah motioned his hand over to the chair I’d been standing on. “You are in no condition to be climbing up on fucking chairs, Remington.”
“I was fine until I got some dust in my eyes!”
The anger in Noah’s eyes didn’t fade. Instead, it grew even more intense as he turned to Rafe and said, “We need to talk. Outside.”
Noah opened the front door, and Rafe followed him out. I jumped with a start when the door slammed shut behind them. I was tempted to go out there and further explain the situation to Noah but quickly decided against it. I didn’t owe him an explanation. Rafe was just trying to help, and if Noah thought any different, that was on him. I looked over to Ada and asked, “Is he always such an ass?”
“Only when it involves someone he care about.”
Acting like she hadn’t just dropped a bomb, Ada strolled back into the kitchen and pretended to check the lasagna. Without missing a beat, she started pulling out the plates and glasses, prepping the table for our dinner. Neither of us said a word as I filled each of the glasses with ice and sweet tea, then carried them to the table. It wasn’t until we had everything ready that Noah returned from talking to Rafe. Ada motioned to him and said, “Come on and fix yourself a bite to eat.”
Still looking like someone had kicked his dog, Noah nodded, then stepped over and started piling food on his plate. Even though I was relieved that he’d finally made it back, I wasn’t sure what to make of his tense, brooding mood. I wanted desperately to ask where and what he’d been doing all afternoon, but something told me it was best just to leave it, and that he’d tell me what he could when he was ready. With his plate full, he glanced over his shoulder and asked, “You got any bread?”
“It’s in da oven.” She scurried over to him and pushed him out of the way. “I’s get it. Go on and sit.”
Once Ada brought the bread over to the table, we all sat down and started eating. There was no mention of the man I’d seen across the street. No mention of where he’d been or what he’d done, and there was no mention of what had happened with Rafe. In fact, none of us said a word. We just sat there eating in silence, and it was driving me insane. By the time we were done, I was at my wit’s end. Ada must have sensed my aggravation because she disappeared as soon as we cleared the rest of the dishes. Since we were finally alone, I asked, “Are you really not going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Nothing to tell.” Noah crossed his arms as he leaned against the kitchen counter. “Everything’s handled.”
“What the hell does that even mean?”
“It means everything is handled, Remington.”
“But how? What did you do?”
“Doesn’t matter.” His eyes narrowed as he growled, “I told you what you need to know.”
“You haven’t told me anything!” I threw my hands up in the air with absolute frustration. “You know what? I’m so over this. I wish they’d just killed me when they had the chance!”
I turned and started to storm away when Noah grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him. “Don’t say that. Don’t you dare say that!”
“Why not? It’s not like I’m wrong.” I was mad. I didn’t mean what I’d said, but I couldn’t stop myself from saying, “We’d all be better off if they’d just finished the job before they tossed me in that damn dumpster!”
“Un-fucking-believable.”
He grumbled something under his breath, then turned from me and charged out of the kitchen. He was about to head outside when I shouted, “Noah, wait, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.” I walked over to him and tried to dig myself out of the hole I’d put myself in. “I’m just tired of not knowing what’s really going on. This is my life, and it feels like I’ve got no say in it.”
“I told you before, there are things that happen in the club that I can’t and won’t discuss with you.” His tone softened as he continued, “I know you don’t like it, but this is one of those things I just can’t discuss.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. It’s just so frustrating having to rely on you and your brothers for everything.” I lowered my head as I tried to swallow back my tears. “I know I’m a burden, and I just—”
Before I could finish my thought, Noah reached up and placed his hand on my chin, gently lifting my head so I was forced to look at him. “You’re not a burden, Remington. You’re far from it.”