My mouth falls open, and I stand in stunned silence, waiting for Gavin to reply with a rebuttal. His smile grows, and he steps forward, slapping Killa on the back, causing him to jolt. “I look forward to it. Send Noah my love, Cassidy.” Then he winks at me before exiting the diner and leaving me a bundle of nerves.
“Gonna have to talk about this shit, Cass.” He points in Gavin’s direction. “But let’s sort Noah first.”
Without giving me room to argue, he entwines our hands and leads me out of the diner. All the while, my heart is pumping with happiness despite the anxiety gnawing at me regarding Noah.
He climbs onto his bike, then holds out his hand for me. I throw one leg over, and he drags my ass down the seat until I’m flush against his back and my arms are wrapped around his solid stomach.
“Hang on tight, Cass,” he shouts, then shoves my hands up his T-shirt, and just the feel of his bare skinagainst mine has me clenching my thighs. He chuckles, and when the bike roars to life, I let out a yelp.
His thick palm lands on my thigh, holding me firmly in place, and the rumble of the bike sends a flash of excitement through me.
“I’m about to take you to new heights, Little Demon. Do you think you can ride with the devil?” he shouts over his shoulder, and the sudden chill in the breeze hits me, causing me to bury my head against his cut, seeking out his protection.
Closing my eyes, I will this moment to never end.
The feeling of freedom, the wind in my hair, and my body alive, reminding me I’m free.
Finally.
CASSIDY
“Why the fuck was he locked in a goddamn janitor’s closet?” Killa bellows. “I want the parents’ names and addresses; we sort our own shit out! I bet it’s the same little punks who have been giving him shit.” He knows Noah’s been having trouble at school? Him knowing that has warmth settling inside me. “I want their names, or I’ll torch the school down with you in it!” He paces the principal’s office like a man possessed while I sit, stunned, watching his every move, listening to the clunking of his boots.
It’s something I’ve done for years, finding comfort in sounds. When you have nothing but time onyour hands, you learn to appreciate everything around you. Even odd sounds that others fail to recognize or appreciate.
Charlene said I use it as a coping mechanism, and I guess she’s right, but it’s not by choice that I have these little quirks.
Killa’s movements come to a halt, and I snap my head up to witness him staring down at me. “You good?” he asks, his eyes bouncing over my face.
“Yes.”
“Good girl.” His smooth voice soothes me before he turns his attention back to the principal. “Now, where the fuck is our son?”
My eyebrows shoot up, and I can’t help the cry that lodges in my throat.
Before either one of us can analyze my reaction further, the door is thrown open and Noah barrels in, heading straight for Killa.
Killa bends to greet him, whisking him up in his arms. With Noah’s small hands grasping his shoulder, he stands, making the room seem smaller than ever. “You okay, little man?” The suddenly gentle voice has me relaxing into the chair. His large hand pushes Noah’s hair from his face as he searches over every inch of him.
“Killa, it was dark,” Noah sniffles, clinging to Killa’s neck, and I can’t help the whimper that escapes me.
The way Noah seeks Killa out has warmth filling my entire body. He’s spoken nonstop about him since he delivered our groceries and a television.
“I know. I’m gonna take care of it.” Then he turns his head to me, his face etched in concern while his gaze slides over me from top to toe. “Cass, let’s go.”
I don’t know how I got out of that room and into a truck. I don’t know at what point Killa arranged forsomeone to collect his bike while he drove us back to the apartment. All I know is that he guided me into my home, tucked me into bed, and promised to take care of Noah, and I believed every word.
After all, that’s what you do when you fall in love with someone, isn’t it?
You believe them.
KILLA
I’ve never been so infuriated in my entire life. Okay, that’s a lie, but I’m beyond pissed.
The principal explained that Noah had been locked in a janitor’s closet by a bunch of kids and was only discovered when he didn’t return from lunch break.
Noah was so distraught he wet his pants, then had to face the ridicule of his classmates discovering it while they mocked him for being unable to speak despite the fact he proved otherwise today.
