This is something different, something way more intense than that ever was, and that’s saying something because those guys hit each other for fun.
No. This is a bone-deep rage.
And it only makes me love him more.
“Noah,” I say, softer this time. “That’s enough.”
“It will never be enough,” he responds, but still, he lets Craig go, and Craig falls to a bloody heap at his feet.
Noah drops down, his lips going to Craig’s ear. He whispers something I can’t discern, but I can only assume is a promise that his next beating will be even worse if he ever comes near Izzy again.
Noah rises to his feet, scoffing at Craig’s limp body, and he drags his sister back into his arms, where her sobs grow even louder.
That’s how we stand for several minutes. The room is silent, except for Izzy’s cries and Craig’s strangled breaths.
I glance to Tara, who is looking at Craig with her hand over her mouth, tears streaking down her face. I wonder if she feels bad for him. I don’t. Not in the least.
Izzy’s sobs slow, and with a flick of Noah’s chin, I take her from his arms and lead her from the room.
“Izzy, wait!” Tara calls.
We turn toward her.
“I am so, so sorry,” she says, tears streaking down her face. “I truly had no idea. You have to believe me.”
Izzy gulps. “I do, Tara. I believe you. I just ... I can’t look at you right now. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize to me. Ever. Not after this.”
Then Tara looks at me, and I read the silent question in her eyes.
Can we talk about this later?
I nod, then let her pass, not missing how Noah stares her down with heated eyes.
He’s just as pissed at her as he is at Craig, and a part of me gets it, but Tara is a victim in this too.
We slowly make our way down the hall, leaving Craig alone in the bedroom. He made this mess. He can clean it up.
“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” he manages to threaten. “You won’t get away with this.”
“Oh, Craigy, I amsofucking looking forward to that,” Noah tells him.
We walk out of the house, and I steer Izzy to my car, carefully closing the door behind her. Her shoulders slump forward as she buries her head in her hands and sobs.
“Where are you taking her?” he asks, face hard as stone as he takes in his sister’s weeping form.
“Back to my place.”
He nods. “I’ll ... I’ll go to the diner and let everyone know.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s no big deal.”Of coursethat’s what he says.
He reaches out for me, and I do the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life—I pull away.
His brows inch inward, then he looks down at his busted and bloody knuckles.
