Someone Like You

by Brittney Sahin

  “And you,” Cade says while winding around the table toward Patrick, “better stay away from my sister. If you ever touch her again, your nose will be the least of your worries.”

  Patrick, the sissy with the shrunken testicles that he is, swallows and steps away from Cade, clearly scared shitless. My heart has grown wings, my mind’s a little dizzy, and for the first time in a week, hope bubbles up inside me.

  “This has all been one big misunderstanding.” Richard raises his palms, but he doesn’t look all that aristocratic right now—just looks like an asshole in a suit.

  “Who approached who? Who suggested the proposal? Who pushed for all of this to happen quicker than normal?” Corbin comes up next to Dad. “They’ve been using us.”

  Dad closes his eyes for a moment. “Get out of my house. Now.”

  Richard looks at his wife then at Patrick, and they start for the exit.

  Dad opens his eyes once the Piersons are gone. “This doesn’t change anything, Grace.”

  Panic wraps around my throat, tightening. I can’t breathe. I was so close to a way out.

  No…

  “Why? I don’t understand.” I look at my mom as if she might help, but that’s absurd.

  All she does is shrug and go out the door leading to the kitchen.

  “Dad.” Corbin comes up next to me. “This needs to stop. Don’t do this to her.”

  “You’re no one to talk, Son. Your life is a fucking mess.”

  “Is this because of Jane?” I take a hesitant step in Dad’s direction. “Do you want Cade and me to suffer because you lost the woman you cared about? Because you had to marry Mom?”

  Both Cade’s and Corbin’s eyes are on me now. I don’t have to look at them to know—I can feel it. Dad slowly drags his gaze to meet mine, and there’s anger there. So. Much. Anger. But with whom?

  “Who told you that?” His eyes are thin slits, his nose flaring. There’s a bead of sweat at his hairline.

  “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re going to destroy your kids, your own flesh and blood, if you make us suffer the same fate as you.” I need to say this—I need to stand up to my dad and fight.

  Fight for myself.

  Fight for my happiness…

  For there to ever be a Noah and me, I have to do this.

  “I can’t do this right now,” he grumbles and heads toward the kitchen. “Go home.”

  When the door closes, I lower my head and stare at the floor, my mind reeling from everything that happened tonight.

  “Well, that was intense.” Corbin squeezes my shoulder. “You okay?”

  “Yes.” I shake my head and look up. “No.”

  “This was never supposed to happen.” Cade runs a hand through his hair as his eyes flicker to mine.

  “What are you talking about?” I look at Corbin, but he only shrugs.

  “Dad said he’d leave you two alone if—”

  “If what?” I whisper, focused on Cade.

  “If I agreed to marry Veronica, he promised not to do the same thing to you and Corbin. It was part of the deal.”

  “What the hell are you saying?” Corbin grabs ahold of Cade’s arm, his brows pulling together.

  “I was trying to protect you both. That’s why I knew we needed that deal with Alexander & Sons so damn bad. The second I learned Dad was talking to the Piersons, I realized he’d betray his promise if we had to merge with them.”

  “You mean all this time…” It doesn’t add up. Has Cade always been in my corner and I just didn’t know it? “But you didn’t want me with Noah, you—”

  “I was trying to protect you from falling for someone before it was too late.”

  “You really proposed to Veronica to try to save Grace and me?” Corbin asks as his arms fall to his sides.

  “In part. Dad had a few other things to throw at me.”

  “He always does,” I say. “So when Dad was in my office last week threatening Noah—you were never in support of that?”

  “No, I’ve been trying to find a way out for you.”

  I’ve hated Cade, comparing him to my father—but he’s nothing like him. He’s been wearing a mask too, and I’ve been too blind to see the real him. He might be a bit of an ass, but there’s more beneath the surface. I don’t know if I even truly know my own brother, which is sad.

  “I need to go,” I say as I blink a few times, realizing there’s somewhere else I need to be.

  Cade takes my arm. “You can’t go to him. Not yet.”

  How’d he know? “Why not? If you’re not going to help Dad—”

  “You and I both know that if Dad wants something done, he can do it without me.” Cade angles his head, studying me, trying to get a read on me. “Do you really care about this guy?”

  “I do.”

  “And you want out of the company?” he asks.

  I nod.

  “Then give me one week.”

  At what point did Cade become my savior?

  “A week for what?” I say, my voice shaking a little.

  “A week to get you your freedom.”

  24

  Grace

  I don’t listen to Cade, though. I can’t wait any longer. Now that I know Cade is in my corner, I have to see Noah.

  As long as no one finds out, he’ll be safe.

  Frank drops me off at the docks and tips his hat my way.

  “You don’t need to wait,” I say then hurry out of the car before he has a chance to open the door for me.

  I take off my shoes and hold them as I go into a full-on sprint down the dock. Noah’s phone keeps going straight to voicemail, so he doesn’t even know I’ve been trying to get ahold of him.

  Not that I think he’d answer anyway.

  The wind kicks my hair back, probably tangling it as I rush past people. My purse slaps hard against my side with each step.

  And then I realize I’ve run too damn far. Or maybe I didn’t.

  Something isn’t right.

  I thread my fingers through my hair and spin around.

  There’s an empty space between two boats where Noah’s used to be.

  He’s gone.

  Did he already sell his boat? It doesn’t work, so he can’t be out on it now.

  My mind scrambles to think of where to go, how to find him.

  I press my palms to my face and groan against them. I want to scream—to let it all go. I want back on Noah’s boat, in his arms—to yell at the top of my lungs as the waves I used to fear crash over me, washing away the bullshit of what’s happened, the pain and lies.

  My hands drop down as I look at the water and approach the edge of the dock where his boat used to be tied up.

  “Where are you?” I must sound crazy, asking the water as if I’ll get an answer.

  But a moment later, Jessica comes to mind. She’d know where he is, wouldn’t she?

  She’s been avoiding my calls and texts all week, so she might slam the door in my face—if she even opens it—but I have to try.

  The sense of urgency, the need to strip away the lie of this last week and be with him again, is overwhelming, so I take off, my legs carrying me fast—and I ignore the pain in my feet from running without shoes.

  I slip the heels on once inside a cab, and my fingertips dig into my quads on the ride over.

  Within twenty minutes I’m standing on the other side of her door, my hands tapping the sides of my legs as I wait for her to open it.

  Please be home.

  I ring again.

  My heart snaps up and into my throat when I hear the sliding of the chain. Thank God.

  She slowly opens the door but not too wide. “What are you doing here?”

  I knew she’d be pissed, but we’re also friends, so the fact that she hasn’t even given me a chance to explain is a bit of a slap in the face to our friendship. But…maybe I don’t blame her.

  “I need to see him.”

  “No. You don’t get to see him after what you di
d.” She starts to close the door, but in a panic, I thrust my arm in the opening, blocking her.

  “Have you lost your mind?” She opens it up again.

  “Yes,” I admit. “I really, really need to see Noah. Please, Jessica.”

  She folds her arms across her chest, but she won’t budge out of the way, which makes me wonder if he’s here. I look over her shoulder but can’t see much of anything.

  “How could you do that to him after what he went through? The man is never going to trust another woman again.” She takes in a lungful of air, her shoulders rising, her eyes steadying on me as if she’s in disbelief I could be so—Parker-King like.

  “That’s why I’m here, Jess. I need to explain to him what happened. He needs to know the truth,” I plead. “I’m not engaged anymore.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Wow. You mean you pulled your head out of your ass and realized you can make your own choices?”

  I was wrong about Jessica being pissed. She straight-up hates me.

  “The man finds out his daughter isn’t his, then you go break his heart to be with some douchebag you hate. I can’t even look at you.”

  “What are you talking about?” I replay her words in my head again because I’m sure I misheard her. I step back, my eyes widening, my body tensing. “Lily isn’t his?”

  “I thought he told you.” She opens the door wider and steps into the hall.

  “I never gave him the chance.” I take quick, shallow breaths, trying not to have another panic attack.

  Oh, God. I want to fall to my knees and fucking sob.

  The man was hurting—hurting so damn bad—yet he still wanted me that day in my office, right after he got one of the biggest blows of his life, and I…shit.

  “Where is he? Please.” I swipe at tears. “I need to see him, to make this right. I was trying to protect him,” I whisper as my body goes weak, my knees giving out.

  “Jesus, you’re going to collapse.” She grabs my arm and guides me into her house, urging me to sit at the kitchen table.

  I look around, hoping Noah will appear, but the place feels empty. Anywhere that Noah isn’t—always feels that way. She hands me a glass of water a minute later, and after taking a sip, I look at her.

  “Tell me what you’re talking about—what do you mean by ‘protecting’ him?”

  “My parents threatened me,” I say, but I don’t want to get into too much detail. It’s too hard for me to stomach the words—or the idea that my mother and father could ever be so truly vicious. “To keep Noah safe, I had to agree to marry Patrick.”

  “This is Noah we’re talking about. He can take care of himself. That doesn’t add up.” She comes around to the other side of the table and sits down.

  “They know the judge who will be hearing Noah’s custody case.”

  There. I said it. The evil is out there. The darkness of my family name that swallows and consumes everything—spreading everywhere…I can’t even look her in the eyes to see her response, and I don’t need to elaborate. She’ll understand what I’m saying.

  The chair legs screech on the floor, and I finally look at her. She’s cupping the back of her neck with both hands, her hair swept up into a messy bun atop her head, and she’s staring at the adjoining living room.

  “And now?” she asks after a few minutes of silence.

  I was expecting more of a reaction, but she probably doesn’t even know how to stomach a response.

  “Cade is helping me get out of this mess.”

  “Cade?” She faces me as her arms drop. “You trust him? Really? Corbin, yes, but—”

  “I do.” I nod. “So tell me where he is so I can explain.”

  “Yeah, and then Noah will go and kill your dad.” She sighs. “That’s what I’d do if I were him.” Her lips go tight for a moment, and I can tell she’s contemplating what to do.

  “If you don’t help me, then I’ll look up where Bella lives and go harass her until she tells me, because I won’t give up.”

  Not now. Not ever.

  “He’s in Boston,” she finally sputters.

  A parade of questions litters my mind as I stand. “What? Why? What’s in Boston?”

  “A job.”

  “A remodel?” I mentally calculate how fast I can get to Boston in my car even though I’m a terrible driver.

  “He’s on a job with Luke.”

  My heart drops, and I’m seeing fucking stars. “No…”

  “It should be pretty routine. He’ll be back in a couple of days, I’d guess. You’ll need to wait until then to talk to him. And let me get the guns back first, so he doesn’t actually shoot your father.”

  I don’t think she’s joking either. When it comes to Lily—Noah will do anything for her.

  And oh, God, she’s not his daughter…how is he handling this?

  “Why is he doing it?”

  “For the money, so he can have a better shot at joint custody.”

  “So he still wants—”

  She arches a brow. “Do you really need to ask that question?”

  “No, you’re right.” Noah—the good guy. Always. And I’m the darkness… “What kind of case?”

  My chest constricts, worry eating at me. How would I ever have survived waiting on the other side of the world if he’d been a SEAL when we met? The spouses, unlike his ex, must be so damn strong to marry soldiers. Could I ever be that strong?

  “It’s a kidnapping case, so it’s pretty routine.”

  “Routine?” I’m going to be sick.

  “It’s gonna be fine.” She waves dismissively, and it’s obvious her anger with me has weakened. It’s not totally gone, but I don’t think she wants to ram her fist into my face anymore.

  And I know she can. She’s learned a lot of moves from Luke.

  “You promise?” I hold my breath.

  “Of course.”

  I sit back down because the weight of my emotions is too heavy for me to remain standing. “How do you do this? How do you handle the stress of waiting for your brother while he’s out there risking his neck?”

  She grabs a bottle of wine off her counter and holds it up. “I drink.” She smiles. “You’ll get used to it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “If you and Noah get back together, then you’ll need to get used to it.”

  “Is this permanent? Is he going to keep working with Luke?” I’m in full-on panic mode, and I desperately need that wine.

  Jess shrugs. “It’s in his blood. Like Luke, his need to help people.” She pours me a glass and slides it across the table. “I’m betting once he starts, he won’t be able to stop.”

  25

  Grace

  I can tell it’s him. Tall, broad shoulders, dark hair, gorgeous arms. Military-looking black cargo pants, a hunter-green tee, and black combat boots.

  He turns around, and when his eyes find mine, they narrow in obvious surprise, his mouth parting.

  He looks lethal.

  I shake my hands a little at my sides as if they’ve gone numb.

  Jessica moves past me, and I stop walking, leaving a good thirty feet between Noah and me. He doesn’t say anything or even move—he just keeps his eyes locked on mine.

  “Where is he?” Jessica asks.

  Noah tips his head to the left, motioning to the hospital room at his side. She nods and pats his shoulder before slipping out of sight into the room. Noah takes one last look at me then goes in, not saying anything. And that moment hurts more than if he had yelled.

  But I suck it up. Although my nerves are out of control, I force myself to follow.

  “What happened?” Jessica’s standing next to Luke’s bed, eyeing the monitors, when I walk in.

  “Your idiot brother jumped in front of a bullet for me,” Noah says from the other side of the bed.

  “Weren’t you wearing vests?” Jess looks at the bandage spiraling around Luke’s bicep. A vest wouldn’t help his arm, though.

  “Yes,” Noah answ
ers in a clipped voice, clearly agitated.

  “I didn’t want to take any chances that you’d get hurt, man. It wouldn’t look good in court. You know Cindy. She’d even turn rescuing a five-year-old into something to use against you.” Luke shakes his head and curses under his breath as his hand goes to the wound.

  “You shouldn’t have done it, is all. I would have been fine,” Noah grumbles as his eyes sweep back across the room and over to Jessica.

  “So you saved Timothy?” she asks.

  “Yeah, he’s good.” Noah nods.

  “And the kidnappers are all still alive—well, unless one or two don’t make it through surgery,” Luke adds.

  “Why’d you bring her here?” Noah asks, taking a complete detour from the current conversation.

  “I needed a ride. I called her when I found out Luke got shot.”

  “You have a car,” Noah challenges Jessica, and I can tell he’s trying to get a read on her. He must assume she has ulterior motives for bringing me.

  After waiting three days since I learned the truth from Jessica, I was more than eager to drive to Boston with her—I just hadn’t expected I’d be heading to a hospital. But now that I’m standing in the same room as Noah, I’m at a loss for what to say or how to act.

  Jessica crosses her arms. “My car is getting work done.”

  “Yeah, sure,” Noah says.

  The room fills with silence for a few minutes before Luke raises a fist to his mouth and coughs—a fake and obnoxious one.

  Way to be obvious…

  My eyes dart to Noah’s arm, and I resist the urge to go to him when I notice red marks on his bicep. “Are you bleeding?”

  “It’s not my blood,” he says without even glancing my way.

  And the tension in the room springs back into place. It’s molasses-thick.

  Jessica peers at me with a lopsided smile. “You should probably spend the night here before heading back home. I’ll stay with Luke.”

  “Get some rest. You can check in on me in the morning if you’re that worried.” Luke flashes me a grin.

  I was expecting a little more anger from him, especially after how he warned me to stay away from Noah to begin with, but he must assume that if Jessica brought me here everything is okay.