by Blue Saffire
I start to see red. I swear I do. He has called one bitch too many in the last fifteen minutes. I’m ready to snap. I can feel the darkness creeping in.
That is when Josh takes things beyond. He grabs a hand full of my hair and jerks my head back. He doesn’t know it, but my control has snapped. Bean is no longer here. Rebecca however, is seething and chomping at the bit.
Josh tugs me out of the bathroom by my hair. I register that Nellie has appeared outside the bedroom door. I see her out the corner of my eye. Her mouth falls open and her nostrils flare as her eyes go wide.
“You fucking Bitch. Were you on the phone with him? I knew it. I knew it all this time, you keep telling me you’re not fucking him, but I know that’s bullshit,” he bellows down into my face.
“You are out of your mind. Let go of me. I haven’t been fucking anyone you prick. Get your hands off of me,” I yell as I frown up at him.
“You lying bitch,” Joshua snarls. “You’re fucking him.”
I just smirk up at him. Noah is the least of his worries right now. When I’m done, he is going to wish I’d let Noah handle him. A growl rises from my chest just as I blackout and seethe my last coherent words. “Last chance to get your fucking hands off me,” I say with a sadistic smile on my lips.
“Oh shit,” Are the words I read on Nellie’s lips when she comes into focus one last time.
~B~
Nellie
This guy has really fucked up. I may not have needed to get myself in trouble with Wyatt, but who am I kidding. I would still be here for Bean. This is just going to be more fun now. Bean has a serious mean streak and when it comes out it is hard to get it to go back in.
I look at the big guy standing in her bedroom holding Bean by her hair and I feel sorry for him. Well, maybe not. He asked for it.
Where Noah is all cut and sculpted muscle, this guy’s brawn is in a bulky and clumsy looking way. If Bean and I work together we can take him. Bean locks eyes with me and I know we are on the same page. This big jerk doesn’t even notice me here.
“I can’t even get you to blow me, but that fuck is all over you like you’re his. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” The idiot rants not knowing he is about to have his ass handed to him. I see it in Bean’s eyes the moment she allows the cage to open.
Bean gives me another look just as he raises his hand to punch her. It is all so clear, the Bean that Noah taught to defend herself has come to the surface. I know she is going to fight back now just like Noah would have made her. Timid, keep the peace Bean, is gone completely.
It could be that Bean and I are naturally protectors of each other. It could be that she is just fed up with this guy. Bean is probably thinking the same thing I’m thinking. There is no way I am letting this guy hurt her. Just like I know she won’t let him hurt me.
I spring into action at the same time Bean does. She reaches up to block the punch and I rush the big oaf’s knees, kicking with a roundhouse kick and catching him off guard. Bean hits him in the chest with her open palm, sending him backwards awkwardly as his body is already moving sideways from my attack.
The surprise on his face is priceless as I round him to stand next to Bean and take a stance. “What the fuck,” he snarls as he lands awkwardly on his ass. He is slow and clumsy to get back to his feet.
“You okay,” I ask Bean.
“Yeah, thanks,” she nods in my direction with pressed lips. “Just leave Joshua.” She is trying to give him one more out. He is too stupid to take it.
He balls his fists at his sides and glares at me. I know I may not look intimidating to him, but I don’t think he should try his luck. I make up for my size with speed and technique. My ex-boyfriend, Barry, learned that the hard way. I have learned a lot more since that night he tried to beat my ass.
“Who the fuck are you, Bitch, and how did you get in,” Joshua snarls.
“None of that matters. If I were you, I would get out of here fast before you get your ass kicked,” I hiss at him.
He laughs and gives me a smug grin. I really look at him trying to see what Bean ever saw in him. I get my answer right away. He looks like a poor man’s copy of Noah. That dark curly hair, the thick brows, his height and build, it is like looking at Noah through squinted or drunk eyes. A broken copy of what Bean has always wanted.
“You fucking snuck me. That shit ain’t happening again and if Bean knows what’s best for her, she’ll tell you to go mind your own fucking business,” he scoffs.
“I’ve had enough,” Bean snaps. “I want you out of my apartment now. You can send me a check for the door and lock. Don’t call me again.”
“You’re really brave now, aren’t you, Bitch,” he growls. “Your little friend is not going to help you.”
Bean and I side eye each other and smirk. In that very moment, I feel it when I get my old friend back. We used to plot for weeks on how we would take Noah. He was always ready for us and then finally he’d taught us enough to not only take him in a sneak attack, but head on as a team. This asshole just signed up for a can of whip ass that is about to pop.
I may not have had time to speak to Bean much since I returned, but it’s in the kindred connection we have. This is going to be a healing for us both. Over the years Bean and I have lost something in our time apart. We are about to find it again together; I can feel it.
He roars as he lunges at us both, but we are already ready. He reaches for a hand full of both our hair, but we were too quick for him. We both sidestepped him, turning to kick him in the back at the same time. He stumbled forward from the force of our combined kicks and the momentum of his charging at us.
Bean reached out her hands to me and I nod, knowing what she has in mind. I grab her wrists and push off my feet as Joshua stumbles at us again. Bean uses her body to propel me at him. I scissor my legs to kick him in the head. When I land on my feet, moving to my knees, Bean and I reversed our hold. Allowing me to support her as she delivered a double kick of her own, while back, flipping over me.
Joshua flies back crashing into Bean’s dresser across the room and smashing into the mirror, cracking it. He groans and grabs the back of his head. When his hand comes back into view, he has blood covering his fingers.
He is shaking with rage. His eyes darted toward us. We are ready. We stand with our chests heaving, but we both know we are walking out of here safe, this guy, not so much. It is when he grabs a large shred of glass that I’ve had enough. I instinctively pull the .45 at my waist and aim.
“Whoa,” I heard a deep baritone come from behind me. “That’s enough.”
A side glance tells me that Braxton is leaning up against the doorjamb with his arms folded over his chest and his phone out while he records this. Ry has stepped further into the room with his hands spread wide.
“Put the gun down, Nel, Jesus. What have we done,” Ryan shakes his head as his wide eyes meet mine.
“Wyatt is going to go nuts, and shit Bean, I haven’t seen you go on attack like that in years,” Braxton chuckles. “Hey douchebag, you know my brother is going to kick your ass when he finds you. Consider what you just got a taste.”
“Fuck you,” Joshua snarls.
“Trust me asshole, you and I can go at it right now,” Braxton narrows his eyes and stands to his full height.
Joshua visibly shrinks back. “You’re not worth this,” he hurls at Bean.
“Fuck you, prick,” Ryan growls as he pins Joshua in place with his glare. “Nellie, Bean, get in the car and go home. We’ll be there in a few.”
I nod and turn to leave placing an arm around Bean’s waist. I know she could have done this on her own, but having me here meant a lot. I know it the moment I feel her sag into me. She doesn’t have to say it.
“You can hand over the piece,” Braxton stopped me at the door, with a smirk on his face as we go to pass him.
I click on the safety and hand it over with a sheepish grin. “Let’s get out of here,” I say to Bean.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Girl Talk
Bean
“That felt so good,” I sing and sip from the third apple sangria, I have poured myself. Once Braxton and Ryan stopped by to check on us and drop off some things for me to stay with Nellie, we decided to make the best of our new found imprisonment. Heather was in route as soon as I finally texted her back.
Because Noah is off the grid, Braxton and Ryan insisted that I stay with Nellie just to be safe. They also forced me to call out of work for another two weeks. I think I may have lost my job at Halo’s, but hey, I was thinking of making some changes anyway.
However, I’m not too happy about being bossed around. Although, Braxton did have a point, I’d be putting myself in danger. I’d also be putting Braxton and Ryan in danger of get their asses kicked if Noah finds out they didn’t protect me, by any means.
Ryan offered me a job at the Black and Lock office. He promised they would find something for me to do until Noah returns to handle things. I’m not so sure about this idea. It makes me a little uncomfortable knowing my uncle is going to find out what’s been going on, but I relented in the end. I needed a good stiff drink when the adrenaline wears off and reality set in.
“It was sort of fun,” Nellie giggles.
“I wish I was there,” Heather seethes. “I never liked him. I wish I could have gotten at least one good punch in.”
“He was such a jerk,” I frown into my drink. My mind races over my relationship with Josh. I should have seen the signs that he would escalate in his behavior. It isn’t hard to see it now. Everything is so much clearer, which makes me a bit disappointed in me.
“What happened,” Nellie asks, she bites her lip and winces. I know she feels like she is prying, but she is my best friend, my other safe place outside of Noah.
I shrug. “He has always been possessive, controlling, and jealous. I didn’t really think much of it in the beginning. I kind of like my guys all alpha,” I blush and giggle as I sip my drink again. “Josh just took it to a different level. Something totally different from what I wanted. He’s nothing like…”
I don’t finish. I haven’t told Nellie or Heather about me and Noah yet. I look Nellie in her eyes and feel Heather’s eyes boring into me. I have a feeling they both already know what I was going to say.
“Not like Noah,” Nellie says softly.
I nod with tears in my eyes, I shrug my shoulders. “He finally told me how he feels about me. Joshua made a scene at my gym a few days ago. Noah found out about it before he left on assignment.
“He showed up at my work. I was about to get off work, I was just finishing up my close out chores, while talking to one of my co-workers. Noah walks in all pissed because I didn’t handle Josh’s ass at the gym,” I twist my fingers around the bottom of my glass. I lick my lips nervously before I go for it and tell it all. “Noah just blurted out that I’m his woman. I…”
“Wait, what,” Heather interrupts. “You’re not telling us something here.”
I look at my cousin as she narrows her eyes on me. I gulp down the rest of my drink and place my glass down. It is getting warm in here. I swipe my wrist across my forehead.
“Noah…um…he sort of kissed me. That night we all went out to the bar. Noah and I were dancing one minute and the next he was kissing me. I thought he was just drunk, but he told me then that he was my man and he didn’t care about Josh. I’ve sort of been avoiding them both since.
“Noah came to my work to tell me that he wasn’t drunk and he’s been in love with me,” I finish and bite my lip. I look up through my lashes at my cousin and best friend. Nellie is smirking with her eyes sparkling and Heather has her mouth open as she stares back at me.
“It’s about damn time,” Heather finally laughs out. “I was getting so tired of you two dancing around each other.”
“What…seriously,” I say pulling a face. I can’t believe I’ve been this clueless for so long.
“Bean, I’m going to say this with love, but you and Noah have been in love with each other for so long it’s not even funny. I don’t even know if you two realized it for yourselves. So, I can see how you missed it when it came to each other,” Nellie shrugs.
I sag against the counter and bring my thumb to my lips. “But I never thought he was interested in me. I’m not his type,” I murmur.
Heather and Nellie fall into each other laughing so hard tears spring to their eyes. I frown at them both and place my hands on my hips. “Really guys,” I hiss.
“Girl, please,” Nellie breathes through her laughter. “You are so Noah’s type it’s not even funny.”
“Come on Bean. You can’t tell me you never noticed that almost all of Noah’s girlfriends look something like you,” Heather chortles.
“No,” I pout.
“You can’t be serious,” Heather says as her mouth pops open.
“He dates super model looking girls,” I shrug.
Both Nellie and Heather stop laughing and glare at me. “Okay, see this is where the problem is,” Heather fusses at me. “You have to know that you are so beautiful Bean. Guys are always falling over themselves to get your attention. You have just never seen it because you were too busy drooling over Noah.”
“Yup,” Nellie say letting the p pop.
“Remember you cried that summer the boys threw that pool party. You were so upset because you didn’t have big boobs to fill out your bikini,” Heather says dragging up the horrible memory. “Noah had to talk you out of the pool house. You never noticed how pissed off Noah was that his friends couldn’t take their eyes off you. Hell, I don’t think he realized how pissed he was. None of those guys cared that you had mosquito bites for breasts. They couldn’t stop looking at your long legs and gorgeous face.
“None of them would approach you because Noah would have ripped their head off, but trust me they wanted to. Davey found out the hard way. He mentioned wanting to ask you out and Noah hemmed his ass up. They didn’t speak for months after that and you know how close they were,” Heather says and looks at me knowingly.
I had always wondered what happened with Noah and Davey that summer. I didn’t know they had a falling out because of me. I bite my lip and try to remember if her words could have some truth. I can only remember wishing I could fill out my bikini more to get Noah’s attention.
“Hopeless,” Nellie shakes her head and laughs. “I can’t believe you never noticed the way Noah watches you. He always knows where you are in a room. He has an internally clock that is dialed into you.”
“Wow,” I say as I rub my forehead and frown. “He said that I need to come to him. He has his cards on the table. The next move is mine.”
Heather whoops and fist pumps the air. “Yeah Noah,” she cheers.
“Hey, who’s side are you on here,” I grumble.
“Noah’s. He has been waiting for you for months. I knew when he broke things off with Aria he was going after you. It was only a matter of time,” Heather shrugs.
“Again, how did I miss this,” I say with a baffled look on my face.
“Don’t feel bad. I had no idea Wyatt wanted a serious relationship at first,” Nellie shrugs.
“Yup, and since Wyatt told me to mind my own business in not so many words, I have been following that advice across the board,” Heather lifts her shoulders and drains her glass before holding it out for me to refill.
“Soooo…,” Nellie sings and looks over her glass. “What do you plan to do when he gets back. I mean, are you going to go to him?”
I run a hand through my hair as I think of our last kiss before he left. I can’t wait to kiss him again. I smirk as I top my glass off after handing Heather her fresh one. “Hell yeah,” I purr and burst out laughing.
“Slut,” Heather teases and we all laugh.
“You do know Noah is going to beat his ass,” Nellie giggles drunkenly.
I groan and roll my eyes. “Honestly, Josh deserves it. I should have kicked it a long time ago. It’s j
ust when I saw you something snapped. I was tired. I could just hear Noah in my ear telling me to stand up for myself. I remembered how you and I protected each other,” I swallow hard. “When you left I struggled a lot. Things started to change with Noah. It was becoming harder to just watch him with other girls knowing how I felt and I… I felt alone.”
“You had me,” Heather says sadly.
I look at my cousin. I don’t know how to say to her that I know she is keeping something from me. How can you trust someone with your feelings if they won’t tell you theirs?
“I know,” is all I can manage.
“Yeah, I think I can understand. I felt the same way when mom got sick,” Nellie says in a small whisper, saving us from an awkward moment, but bringing a somber one with her words.
“I wish I could have been there for you more during that time. The phone wasn’t enough and so much was happening here. I just wish a lot of things could have been different,” I look up from my glass and stare into Nellie’s eyes. “What happened, Nellie? Heather told me something happened in Seattle.”
Heather shifts in her seat as if she had just been busted. Nellie chuckles and covers Heather’s hand. “It’s okay. I pretty much went through something similar to you. Only my ex got a few hits in before I snapped out of it. I caught him cheating; he flipped out and tried to beat the hell out of me. Once I got over the shock, I fought back and got out of there,” Nellie mumbles.
“Oh my God, and you are just telling me this. Now I get it,” I nod with a little smile. “Wyatt is so protective of you. I know he cares about you, but now I get why all the Blacks are on Nellie duty.”
We all fall over the kitchen island laughing. I miss this, I miss my friend. After a while we turn on music and stumble around claiming to be dancing. Right now, I feel whole again. I have my best friend, my family and it looks like I even have a man that loves me. Things are getting better I can feel it.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Coming Home
Noah
