“Wait, are you sure about this?” Matt stepped back, shaking his head.
“Yes, I haven’t spoken to Noah in a while, but I recognized his voice. He even told me he knew me well and that I knew him too.”
“I can’t believe this. It has to be a mistake.”
It was understandable that Matthias didn’t want to believe his brother could betray him like this. I wanted to be wrong, the confusion and disappointment on his face was heartbreaking.
“Okay, I didn’t see his face, but I’d like to think I know Noah’s voice.” I said.
“He’s my brother Adele. He knows what it means to be an heirloom keeper means to this family, what it meant to my father. Even though, he isn’t one I like to believe he’s just as committed to keeping the legacy burning.”
I bit my lip. I knew I wasn’t wrong about this. This meant Noah was a murderer and a traitor.
“I think we need more evidence.” Holden said. “They’ll be back for Addie, no doubt about it.”
“Of course. I’m not going to accuse my brother without hard facts.” Matthias spat, but he kept his back to me.
“Matt—” I started.
He grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the garage. I thought things were going to be better between us, all rosy and hot chocolate in the morning. Now he was mad at me for accusing his brother of being a lying scumbag. At least I wasn’t the only one with an insane brother.
A thought hit me, what if Noah and Andrin joined forces? Holden and Matthias spoke about their next moves. They were so proud of themselves for coming so close. I didn’t hear much now all I could think about is how close to death I was. Thank goodness for Holden and Matthias.
I’d never wanted to leave town more than I have now. Comrade was gone, my dad had been gone for years. A house and harrowing memories were nothing to keep me here. Rebel was a great friend, but I’d been cut too deep here. I wanted Matthias to come with me, but now that I injured something in him would we recover? There was still that fear of the unknown.
I caught a glimpse of the guys’ conversation something involving me, but I was too tired to pay attention or ask. I was half asleep when the car drove up to my house. Holden opened the door for me and I fluttered my eyes open.
I noticed Matthias walked to the front door. Now he didn’t want to see me?
“Hey, we’re going to reconvene tomorrow.” He said.
“He’s mad at me isn’t he?”
Holden looked over his shoulder, “He’s just got a lot of thinking to do.”
I nodded and stepped out of the car. “Do me a favor Holden?”
He smirked, “Depends on what it is.”
“Take care of Rebel for me.” I knew there was something there and I knew she needed him to show her that she deserved the sun and the moon.
“Rebel? What’s wrong with her? Is she sick?”
“No, but look out for her on my behalf with you?”
He nodded, his features dressed with seriousness. I hugged him goodnight and walked to the door. Matthias leaned against the wall, waiting for me to enter.
“Matt, can we talk?”
“You should get some rest, it’s late.”
He straightened up and disappeared through the hall. I assumed to the bathroom. My joints ached and all I wanted was to crawl under the covers, but when I walked into my bedroom I gasped. Maybelle was sprawled on my bed with her head at the bottom of the bed and her feet at the head.
I shook my head, “At least I know Mama managed to get you from Andrin.”
I changed into a sleeping shirt and grabbed an extra blanket for Matthias. Yes, it was a piece offering. He was on the couch, shirtless, staring at his phone. I had to appreciate how hard he’d been working to keep me safe.
“Need an extra blanket?” I asked, holding up the blue fluffy blanket.
He shook his head and set the phone on the coffee table. He leaned back and started at me.
I grumbled and stomped to the couch and flopped next to him. He raised his brow at me.
“I can’t do this Matthias. Say something! I know you’re mad, but I wouldn’t accuse Noah for no reason. I’m not crazy!”
“I don’t know about the not crazy part.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Can we just talk?”
“You kissed me back.”
“What?”
“Like this.”
He pulled my cheeks and caressed my lips with his. He sucked on my lips and I leaned forward, yearning for a deeper kiss. He bit my bottom lip, tugging me forward until I was on his lap. He pulled back and brushed the curls out of my face.
“Not quite like that.” I breathed out.
“Then you asked me to leave with you.”
I tipped my head to the side, “You said yes.”
“I would go anywhere with you Adele. Almost anywhere anyway.”
I laughed softly, “You don’t believe me about Noah, right?”
He threw his head back. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to believe right now. We’ll find out in a few days.”
“What happens in a few days?” My brows knitted together.
“Weren’t you listening to our conversation in the car?”
I shook my head. My mind was a hundred places at once.
“You’re going to lure them out—”
“You’re using me as bait!” I jumped up and hit the back of my legs on the coffee table.
Matthias was on his feet seconds later, reaching for me.
“I’ll be with you the entire time. I wouldn’t agree if I didn’t think I could protect you.”
“Are you crazy?! Matthias these people are murderers!”
“I know babe, I lost my father too. That’s why believing Noah could be involved is more than heart breaking. I know what’s at stake here. You are. If something goes wrong, I lose you again and this time it’s for good. If we don’t take them down I run the risk of losing you every day and whatever family, we start.”
Family? A house and kids.
I grabbed his hands and sighed. “Fine. Then we can finally be together.”