by Allyn Lesley
He walked by her. With a slight turn in her direction, he said, “I never expected any of this.” His breath caressed the side of her face. “But here you are...here we are. You are so soft. You’re what I need in my life, Avianna Linton. I need your softness. Will you be here when I get back?”
Hours later when mothers had long since tucked their children into the safety of warm beds, Noah watched the East Meets West sign blink a few times before fading out. This time of night was considered early for men like him, whose business could only take place under the shroud of darkness.
The patrons were long gone, and now, only the staff at Ido’s hookah lounge needed to vacate the premises. Two security personnel guarded the front door, which was the reason Noah kept eyeing the back door, waiting for someone to exit there.
“How many do we have inside?”
Gavin said a number into Noah’s earpiece.
“I still don’t like this,” Cass said from beside him.
“We have the element of surprise on our side,” Noah reassured him.
Noah wasn’t sure what Gavin had done to prepare, but he had promised that everything was handled, and that was all Noah needed to hear. If he waited any longer, Ido would think him soft. Retaliation had to be swift, and it had to be now.
“We still don’t know the meaning of the contents inside Harry’s safe.” Cass spoke from behind his hand like he was afraid someone watched them. But the streets were bare on this Saturday night.
So far, they still weren’t able to connect all the pieces, but there were: a used glassine envelope stamped with a calla lily on the front, an article featuring Ido with a red circle around the man’s face, dark photos of Ido meeting mysterious men—many taken at night, prompting Noah to wonder if Harry had been safe during his surveillances, and a 2011, three-line obituary about the death of a thirteen-year old girl.
“Don’t need to understand shit. Harry mentioned his name to me.” That was the only reason Ido was allowed to enter Noah’s office. “Told me about how his H was laced with some bad shit. Then, Ido shows up at my office and mentions Harry’s death, and now, the shit at the club yesterday.” Cool, white puffs of breath accompanied Noah’s harsh words.
He’d be a fool if he didn’t see the connections staring him in his eyes.
An opportunity presented itself when the back door flung open.
Noah rushed toward the man, who gasped as soon as Noah’s form slammed him into the brick wall. Trapped by Noah’s unmoving forearm under his throat, the shorter man’s cheek reddened, and then a tear leaked from his eye when Noah pushed into his windpipe. His hands pulled against Noah until he felt the pressure of his Sig Pro at his temple. Noah leaned his head to the side at the man’s futile moves then knocked his head into the wall. Covering his mouth, Noah’s hand silenced the man’s terror, which was still evident in his wide, questioning eyes.
“How many people are inside?” Noah’s gun pressed hard into the man’s skin.
The man shook his head, tears wetting Noah’s hand.
“Tell me.”
The other man silently pleaded, but Noah didn’t know anything about mercy, not tonight, not ever. Noah’s fingers loosened up from the man’s lips.
“Ju-just me and t-two others.”
“Is one of those persons Ido?”
A quick nod was Noah’s answer.
Pressing the muzzle under the man’s chin, Noah whispered, “You wouldn’t lie to me, now would you?”
“No-no. I swear.” A smile flickered on the man’s face when Noah took some of the pressure from his meaty flesh. He looked like he worked in the kitchen, judging by the stains on his apron.
Noah lowered his gun, and he immediately felt the man’s relief when he sagged then sighed. Noah’s hand relaxed, petting the man’s cheek.
“On my kid—”
A single shot in the man’s side ended whatever was about to be shared.
“Didn’t trust Gavin’s intel?” Cass asked.
Noah let the slumped figure hit the pavement. It never hurt to get more confirmation besides the information Gavin got.
P-taft.
Noah turned at the sound.
“Had to make sure he was dead.”
“Wait here. Keep the car ready,” Noah instructed.
He was going to be in and out. That was the plan.
“I still don’t—”
The door slammed shut on Cass’s warning.
He moved down the long corridor with caution. Light spilled from an open space ahead. Gun in hand, Noah took his time using the wall behind his back as a guide. Peeping around the doorpost, he cleared the kitchen. Maybe the man hadn’t lied. Oh, well, no witnesses...ever.
“You want me to kill the lights now?” Gavin’s question blared through the device hidden inside Noah’s ear.
“Do they have eyes?” Noah asked low. He stopped when he heard footsteps coming toward him. “Gavin?” he asked into his earpiece.
“I told you I took care of it. They can’t hear or see, but they’ll realize something is up soon.”
Noah could hear Gavin’s tapping away on keys, maybe a laptop, but a slow-moving shadow ahead demanded Noah’s attention. The lights went out.
“I’m going to check the breaker.” A man’s speech heavily tinged with a Middle Eastern accent rang out.
On quick feet, Noah entered the large kitchen just as the unsuspecting man limped by him. Noah crept from his place and fired a shot. Instead of going down, the man reared back, knocking into Noah’s chest and pushing him a couple of feet. Despite his limp, the man was fast, turning on Noah and looked ready to charge. Weapon in hand, Noah fired twice.
The overhead lights flickered on, showing the nameless man laid face down at Noah’s feet. Noah looked up with a shake of his head. Then the hallway was swathed in darkness again.
“What was that? I thought you had control of the electricity?” Noah asked, walking away from death and toward the man he was here to send right to hell.
“You need to move. Ido may be getting suspicious.”
Noah’s steps were sure and exacting. “Gavin, when you see my shadow at that motherfucker’s door, turn them on.” His long strides had him standing in front of Ido’s opened door within moments.
Seconds later, the office was bathed in brightness. From the side of the door, but still out of view, Noah watched as Ido’s head flipped up to the ceiling then the man stood. Noah chuckled in his head when Ido looked out the window, his back to Noah.
I should kill him now. But Noah wanted to see Ido first. “Looking for me?” Noah filled the doorway. Rampage swam in Noah’s eyes and destruction tightened his hold around the butt of his weapon.
Ido spun, fists clenched, nostrils flaring.
“You paid me a visit once. I figured I’d do the same to you.” Noah kept his tone even and low.
“Is this your plan?” Ido sneered.
Noah’s gun was steady. “Pretty much.”
Ido took a step forward.
“How about you stay put.”
“You Americans,” Ido spat, disgust evident. “You think you can get away with anything, don’t you?”
Gripping his Sig Pro, Noah replied, “I don’t think. I know.”
“It’s a pity Ro’s pretty wife took the bullet meant for you.” Ido laughed before, “Merde!”
Ido and Noah both looked at the hole in the wall near Ido’s head.
“You have to know I missed on purpose, right?” Noah asked.
With quickness, Ido’s compact Beretta was whipped from his jacket’s pocket.
Noah paused.
Both had guns pointed at the other—Ido’s at Noah’s chest and Noah’s at Ido’s head.
“Out of the two of us, who do you think will survive?” Ido asked. “You think I’m the only one coming for you? You come here, ready to ambush me. You have no honor. I came to you as a man, no weapon drawn to your head like you have now, and made my intentions clear.”
Ido
’s beady pupils zoomed in on Noah.
“Do you want a thank you? A gold star?” The man could go fuck himself, coming at Noah like he had, being disrespectful inside Noah’s office then mentioning Avi. Noah straightened to his full height.
“I could’ve had Manning serving time on trumped up charges, but instead, I sanctioned a quick, dignified death.” Ido’s finger grazed the metal trigger.
You just signed your death certificate, asshole. “You won’t make it out of here alive.”
“And they won’t be able to find your—”
Multiple shots pierced the tense air.
“Argh.”
“Ugh.”
“There’s still no word about what exactly happened inside East Meets West. The Queens-based hookah lounge erupted in flames in the early hours of last Saturday. A place once visited by celebrities and some of New York’s wealthiest residents is now no more.”
The elevator dinged open, and the volume on the computer screen lowered. A woman dressed in a black wool coat approached the low desk. She looked around, unsure where to go.
“I-I need to see Mr. Adams. Is he here?” She walked briskly to the receptionist.
“I’m sorry, miss, but Mr. Adams is unavailable.”
“Tell him it’s me.” She leaned over, imploring the woman to give her a break. “I’m sure if you’d just—”
“And you are?”
“Avianna Linton.”
“Do you have an appointment with Mr. Adams?”
“No,” she said.
“I’m truly sorry, Ms. Linton.”
Avi’s lips trembled at the regret swimming in the receptionist’s eyes.
“Mr. Adams is very busy.” Bailey’s fingers hit a few computer keys. “But I can set you up with any of Accipiere’s realtors. Trust me. They are all very knowledgeable. Are you looking to rent or purchase one of our properties?”
She glanced up at Avi’s silence, but Avi’s attention had moved to her right. Avi rushed toward Cass, who closed the door behind him when he saw her.
She stopped short at Cass’s folded arms. But she wasn’t going to be deterred, not now. “I need to see Noah.”
“That’s not a good idea.”
Like a guard, he stood in front of her.
Avi glared at him. “Is that his office?”
His silence was all the answer she needed. She folded her arms over her chest. “Look at me. Do you really think I’m leaving?”
They regarded each other. He seemed to be assessing her tenacity. But, she was part-Harry and part-Ellie, and Avi was getting beyond the door come hell or high water.
“I’ll wait here day and night if I have to.” She had nothing but time on her hands. Noah had to leave the building eventually.
“That’s what you should have done last week, sweetheart. You’re not—”
His mocking tone knocked a little wind out of her sails. Cass was right.
“But I’m saying it now.” Tears formed in her eyes even though she’d decided she wouldn’t be weak. “Please, I just need five minutes,” Avi whispered. Her bluster withered under Noah’s friend’s defensive body language.
Cass eased away from his post. She smiled, relieved until he said, “Save your theatrics for the man inside. I doubt it’ll work.” He stepped around her.
She took a breath and pinched her cheeks with her cold hands.
With her hand on the gold-plated door handle, Avi was ready.
“Ms. Linton, I can take your jacket if you like.” Bailey said from beside her with a hanger in her hand. When Avi handed her the jacket, Bailey leaned forward, saying, “Next time, I’ll be sure to remember your name.”
For some reason, her words were just the reassurance Avi needed. She pushed the handle down, stepping into the office and closing the door.
“What did you forget, Cass?”
Noah’s head was hidden behind two computer screens.
It’d been seven days, and seven miserable nights, since she last saw him. She prayed he’d lift his head, but he never did.
“It’s not Cass,” she croaked out. Her hand covered her throat, massaging the spot in the hopes of finding her voice.
The tapping sounds ceased for a split second, but resumed.
Noah still didn’t look up at her. Each clicking noise his fingers made rankled Avi’s resolve.
“It’s me,” she said, reminding him just in case he forgot.
Finally his gaze raised to hers and Avi staggered back. Now she missed the protection of her jacket. She shivered from the coldness emanating from him. She was sad to see that instead of excitement to see her, mistrust swam in his midnight eyes. She took a hesitant step toward him.
“What do you want?” He pushed away from his desk, leaning back in his chair.
Needing some time to gather her thoughts, Avi surveyed his office. It was like the man: dark with large furniture that featured hard lines. Nothing in here hinted of softness.
She grimaced. Maybe she’d made a mistake by coming here. She probably shouldn’t have called out today, but she had to see him. She saw a glimpse of hope, in the form of the wall painting of the calla lily from her father’s home.
Avi’s hand fluttered to the place she was just learning to trust. “Place me like a seal over your heart...” Her own heart beat loud in her ears. “Like a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death.” She hadn’t realized the words below the wall hanging left her mouth until...
“Are you here to read to me, or is there a point to the wasted trip you took?”
What are the words you say to a man you left that you’re choosing to follow your heart and damn the consequences?
“I like your office,” she mentioned.
He stood and winced. It was then she noticed his pinched lips, pale complexion, and the way he favored his left side. She stepped closer to his desk to help him.
“Stay back.”
Avi yelped at his terse tone. “What happened?”
His steps were tentative, taking him farther from her and closer to the large window that overlooked midtown Manhattan.
“Nothing you need be concerned about.”
“Maybe I can help you.”
He was every bit of a king in command of his territory. From his tailored suit to his eyes that gave nothing away, Avi was scared the Noah she knew was nowhere around.
“Let me help you, Noah.”
She needed to get through the wall he’d erected, but the man before her wasn’t going to allow that to happen, if the hiss at her request was any indication.
“Why would you want to do that? You left. You made a choice.”
“Noah.” Her breath caught in her throat.
“What is it about you fucking Mannings?”
She frowned at his rigid back then just as she was about to ask for an explanation, his even words told her all she needed.
“You get me to give a shit, open my heart, only for you to stomp like hell on it.” He spun toward her.
She stumbled away from his anger.
“Your father did that bullshit two years ago, and then you. Really, is it in your fucking DNA or something?”
“Noah...”
“Get the fuck out.”
The pain in his words cut her to the quick. Behind a fist, she swallowed a sob that threatened to erupt. He was talking to her with such...
Words failed her.
The look of utter rejection blared at her from his stiff body. His direct gaze had her hurrying toward him when she should’ve run away.
“Leave. Now.”
“No.”
“I’m warning you...”
“And I said, no.” Avi enunciated each word.
They were going to have this out, right now and right here. He hadn’t backed away from her when he had relentlessly pursued her. How many times had she told Noah she wasn’t interested? He disregarded everything Avi’s lips told him—seeing through her lies—and heard her true emotions. Emotions that she hid beh
ind a thick wall of fear. And that was exactly what she planned on doing today. He was telling her one thing, but Avi held onto the belief that deep down, he meant something else. Maybe he still wanted her like she wanted and needed him.
“What are you doing here?” Noah asked through clenched teeth.
Her lips parted to tell him about her week-long agony, how a recent letter from her mother helped her reach an epiphany, and how she was a fool for leaving his condo.
Noah grabbed her. “You think this is a game? This is my damn life, woman. I told you shit...” He stopped, backing away from her.
His chest heaved.
She rubbed the place on her arms that he’d dug his fingers into.
He told me... Her features twisted with bewilderment. He told me what?
“What are you talking about?”
Her memory raced with anything he’d ever shared, but Noah was always so secretive, speaking in coded terms she never understood. She squinted at the unapproachable man and kept trying.
“This piece of shit barely scratches the surface.” Her eyes sought his face.
“Ding fucking ding.” His breath was labored.
She didn’t understand. Was she missing something to the puzzle?
“Wh-why are you...” A tear rolled down from her eye as comprehension settled inside her. “You thought I’d tell the cops?”
When he hissed again, she knew the source of his anger.
“Didn’t you?” He stuffed his hands into his pocket. “You haven’t spoken to your own mother...”
“Noah, I would never—”
“Why should I believe you? Why should I take the word of someone who knows jack shit about loyalty?”
The slap stung her palm. He stood there as her handprint stained his sallow cheek.
“I don’t know why I came. What I hoped would be accomplished. But, this...this isn’t it.”
She backed away. She didn’t need this. Her heart was breaking, had been breaking since she left his condo, but this anger, she didn’t need, nor did she deserve it.
“You walk through that fucking door and you better keep walking. Don’t ever come back,” he gritted out.