Violet nods in agreement and with that, Noah lets out a deep sigh. He hangs his head, completely ashamed of his actions, but there’s no way he’s backing out. This is his chance to come clean and there’s no way he’s going to mess it up.
“It started when I was eleven and Lily had just gone back to the hospital,” he says. “You and dad were talking in the kitchen and me and Tully were supposed to be in bed, but we weren’t. We were sitting in the hallway, neither of us could sleep after hearing what the doctor had said. It was the day we were told that she would only survive a few extra weeks unless we started the treatment again. You two were talking about the cost of the medication and stressing about how we were going to keep our home and pay for her bills.”
“I felt so helpless,” Noah continues. “I’d heard this kid at school talking about how her dad had gotten a loan from this guy and I knew that was our only chance.”
“Wait. Loan?” Violet questions. “What are you talking about?”
Noah continues as though Violet hadn’t just cut in. “I snuck out the window that night and found these rough guys on the street and asked them about Anton. At first, they laughed me off. I was just a kid; what business could I want with Anton Mathers? But I was relentless and desperate so they took me to him. I explained our situation and he agreed to pay her medical bills for as long as it took.”
“Oh, Noah,” Violet sighs, absolutely broken.
“I was just a kid,” he says. “I didn’t realize what kind of deal I was making, but in my eyes, he was willing to pay for the treatment that could save my sister and I was willing to do whatever it took to save her. I agreed and over the past seven years, he has held that over my head. I sold my soul to him without realizing what the hell I was doing.”
“But, Noah, we didn’t need Anton to pay for Lily's treatment. Your grandmother sorted it out.”
“I realize this now. I was young and naïve and had no reason to question it. One day I was asking him for the money, the next day you were telling us that the treatment plan had been put into place. I believed it was Anton, and as Lily managed to fight for another twelve months, my gratitude for what I thought he’d done only grew. I became his loyal servant. Anything Anton asked of me, I did.”
Violet straightens. “Like what?”
Noah’s brows crease and I realize this is the worst of it. The naïve, emotional child who was fighting for his sister can be forgiven, but the teenager taking part in illegal activities for the benefit of a mobster…well, that’s where it gets a little tricky.
“Everything, mom,” he says. “If he needed a drug mule, I did it. I smuggled shit. I’ve stolen cars and sold them for parts. I collected debts and when they couldn’t pay, I beat the absolute shit out of them as a warning.”
“Why didn’t you come to me as a child or as a man?” Violet asks with tears in her eyes. “I could have helped you.”
Noah shakes his head. “I couldn’t risk you knowing. I can’t stand the way you’re looking at me right now. It kills me seeing the disgust in your eyes. I’m ashamed of the things that I’ve done. They were horrible and it’s not me, but I had no choice. He gave my baby sister twelve extra months.”
“But he didn’t,” Violet argues. “He fooled you.”
“I know that now and I’m sick to my stomach that I let it go on so long. The things I did for him…I should have known he was playing me just as he does to everyone else. He took advantage of me and I was too blind to see it.”
Eddison lets out a breath. “What about Rivers? Where was he during all of this? Was he aware of what was going on? And Tully?”
Noah glances to me and I nod, knowing exactly where he’s about to take this. “Anton is Rivers’ father,” he tells them. “We found out a few days ago.”
“What?” Violet says, sucking in a breath. “How can you be sure?”
“Because he kidnapped Henley right from under my nose and told her all about it.” Both Eddison and Violet gape at me, but Noah isn’t finished delivering the bombs. “Rivers’ mom’s name is Gina and he put her in jail. She’s actually Henley’s biological mother as well.”
“Excuse me?” Violet says, her fingers going to her temples as she tries to catch up. “You’ve just been sitting on this information and haven’t said a word?” she looks to me. “You and Rivers are…siblings?”
“Apparently so,” I say. “We’ve only just discovered this in the past few weeks. My dad doesn’t even know about it. I mean, he knows who she is and that Rivers in my half-brother, but he doesn’t know that she’s in prison.”
“What for?” Eddison questions.
I cringe. “She was Anton’s biggest rival in the area. She was the leader of a prostitution ring.”
Violet sucks in a breath and slaps a hand over her mouth in shock. “All this time that's what Rivers has been dealing with? Those are his parents? His role models?”
“I’d dare say that your family are his role models. I believe he’s strong enough to rise up over that bullshit and become a much better man than they ever planned for him to be.”
“I don’t doubt that for one second,” she says. "What about Tully? Is she aware of all this?”
“Yes,” Noah says. “She’s still coming to terms with it. We all are.”
“Ok,” she says. “We’re getting off track. We can discuss Rivers later. How are you going to move forward from this? What’s your plan? I don’t doubt that a man like Anton is going to happily let you go.”
“Well, he wasn’t until he discovered that I knew about Lily. I ceased all communication with him and stopped showing up for jobs so eventually, he came looking.” Violets eyes widen but Noah tears it off like a Band-Aid. “He showed up here and hassled Tully. She somehow managed to make him leave before calling me and letting me know, so I knocked him the fuck out.”
I clear my throat, prompting him to be completely honest. He lets out a sigh. “He pulled a gun on me and Henley was able to help me get him down. We left him in the street and handed his gun into the police station.”
Eddison growls. “That’s when he broke into our home.”
“Yes,” Noah says. “I knew that was a possibility. That’s why we got you out of the house.”
Violet lets out a sigh before shaking her head. “All this time I figured you were getting that money from all that illegal racing you’re into.” Noah’s eyes wide like saucers but Violet continues on. “What happened with the gun?”
“I don’t know. I handed it in and when Anton grabbed Henley the other night and started asking questions, she told him I’d kicked it down the storm drains before telling her that he’s releasing me.”
“What?” Violet questions. "That doesn’t make sense.”
“I don’t know,” Noah shrugs. “It doesn’t make sense to me either, but he’s aware that I know he didn’t pay for Lily’s treatment and maybe it has something to do with us taking in Rivers the way we did. All I know is that he told Henley that I’m done.”
“Done?” Eddison questions, cautiously.
“That’s what he said, but because I know everything that’s gone down over the past few years, he’s keeping a close eye on me. He doesn’t want me to talk.”
Violet lets out a deep breath. “I guess that’s the most we can ask for,” she says. “You’re no longer in danger and the door is closed on that part of your life. You can finally move on and start making amends for the things you’ve done.” Noah nods in agreement and Violet narrows her eyes. “How do you plan on doing that?”
“I’m volunteering at the fire station and I’ll do that as long as it takes to earn your forgiveness and trust. I hate that I’ve kept all this from the two of you. I’ve been so ashamed of myself, but I promise, I’ll make it up to you. I’m going to make some changes in my life and be a son that you can be proud of.”
Violet pushes up off the couch and walks towards Noah, pulling him up before her and wrapping her arms around him. “Oh, Noah. I am already so proud o
f you. You were a scared little boy, desperate to save your sister and you did what you thought you had to do. That took guts going to a man like that and asking for help. While I wish you would have talked to us first, I understand why you did it. Just know that no matter what, we are your parents and we love you.”
“Thanks, mom,” he says, holding onto her with everything he’s got.
“I’ll tell you what,” she says. “Why don’t the two of you go down to Henley’s place and collect your things? It’s time you came home.”
Noah nods and gives his mom a thankful smile. “I’d like that.”
“Good, now be home in time for dinner. I know your sister is missing someone to kick under the table and I haven’t exactly enjoyed looking at your empty seat over the past few weeks.”
“Alright, mom. I’ll be here.”
“We still have plenty of things to talk about and I have a few other suggestions on how you can make amends with our community, but we can discuss them tonight. For now, just go get your things and move your ass back home.”
Chapter 13
Damn it. Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love that Noah has mended his relationship with his mom and that his heart isn’t hurting anymore, but fuck, I hate that he’s not living so damn close anymore. I was really getting used to sneaking him into my bed in the middle of the night. Though, I can’t say that Noah really enjoyed spending half the night on the couch.
He’s better off at home with his family, sleeping in his own bed where his parents can watch over him and check in as they learn to trust him once again.
I guess I just really hate having an empty bed where Noah is concerned.
Maybe one day we’ll grow up and get a place of our own where we can build our lives together and do all that shit that grown-ups do. Though, one thing’s for sure, I do not want to experience grocery shopping with Noah Cage. It would be horrendous.
I can already picture it. Noah constantly has so much energy and he usually focuses that energy on tormenting his sister. If we’re living together and it’s just me and him, I’d be in for a life of hell while he chuckles to himself like a little school girl, but I’m sure he’ll make up for it each and every time.
Tully and I walk out the front of their home. It’s been a good week. We’ve managed to cleanse our lives of Anton Mathers; well as much as we possibly could. I got accepted into college, and Noah came clean to his parents and was welcomed home. Happy hearts everywhere, well mostly. There’s still heartache everywhere we look, but for the most part we can begin to look forward.
Friday night has come around so damn fast and naturally Noah is standing out front with Spencer, Jared, and Aiden polishing up his car to make sure it’s perfect for the races tonight. I’ve been hesitant to go after what happened last week with Anton, though it’s not like I’ve actually told Noah about it. I’m sure if he knew how I was feeling, he’d be more than happy for me to sit it out, but what it comes down to is the fact that I want to be there to support him. Besides, I have a feeling he won’t be taking his eyes off me tonight. Hell, I’ll probably end up racing with him.
I walk over to Noah as Tully falls in beside Spencer. I can’t help but run my eyes over the two of them. They’ve been spending more and more time together this week and I can see that friendship possibly turning into something a little more. Well, for Spencer anyway. At first, he would treat her like any other friend, but as time goes on his eyes seem to linger on her a little longer and he’s always looking for an excuse to touch her.
She needs to be careful. I love that his attention is helping take her mind off other things, but it would only take a little bit of innocent flirting for a guy like Spencer to fall head over heels in love. They’ve dated in the past, so clearly there’s already some sort of attraction there but they’ve both matured since then. Who knows what could happen? I just wish he didn’t have that whole douchebag vibe about him. Though to be fair, he’s certainly not as bad as he used to be, and if Noah is willing to keep him around, then there must be some level of respect there.
Spencer’s arm falls around her shoulders and Tully leans her head into him which is when I decide to leave them the hell alone. They’re both single so what’s the harm? Tully’s heart is safe from getting hurt by him, but it’s his we should be worried about.
Noah leans forward on the open hood of his car, checking over his engine one last time as I look on in confusion. You’d think I’d know what I was looking at by now, but nope. Not even close. “What’s going on?” I ask him as our skin grazes past one another.
“Nothing,” he murmurs, giving the engine his stamp of approval. “Just about done. I should probably check the brakes while I’m at it though. I wouldn’t want them fucking up on the track.”
“I swear, you check that shit every day. It’s probably fine.”
His only response is to grin down at me as he steps back from the hood and allows Jared to unhook it. Jared lowers the hood and gently closes it before all the guys seem to stand back in appreciation, even Aiden who couldn’t give a shit about cars is looking on in admiration.
I try not to gag. Boys and their cars. It’s ridiculous. Now, if they were staring at a sexy, yellow Supra, that I’d totally get.
Noah goes to check the brakes when a taxi pulls up on the curb, drawing all of our eyes towards it in confusion. “Who the hell is this?” Noah grumbles beside me, watching the taxi through narrowed eyes.
I glance across at Tully, wondering if she’s expecting anyone when she shrugs her shoulders.
Both the driver’s door and the passenger’s door open at the same time. The driver appears first before walking around the back of the car and opening the trunk. It’s then that the passenger pushes out from the taxi, finally showing his face and shocking us all.
I stand still, sucking in a breath and gaping at Rivers as he looks back at us, his eyes carefully scanning over each and every person before him, each one with a different emotion. He starts with Noah, and all I see is a desperate need to beg for forgiveness, next his eyes drop to me and clearly unknowing what we’ve discovered over the past few months, he gives me a slight nod. Next up, there’s confusion as he looks over Aiden, understanding with Jared, and then finally a deep longing which quickly morphs into anger as he takes in Tully with Spencer's arm still firmly wrapped around her.
The taxi driver grabs Rivers’ belongings from the truck before placing the massive bag at his feet and dropping back down into his taxi. He takes off, leaving us all gaping at Rivers…my brother.
My heart races.
Holy shit. Hearing it is one thing, but having the guy right in front of me, that’s a whole new feeling; something I’ve never quite felt before. This is my brother. My blood. My family.
Time slows and it’s as though we all stand motionless, staring at one another, terrified of how this is going to go down. I can’t help but notice how different he seems. His hair is cut, his arms are bigger, and his eyes…they don’t seem so dark anymore. Hell, he seems to be standing taller and to be honest, it’s a really good look on him.
Spencer clears his throat, forcing Rivers dangerous eyes towards him, and making me fear for his pretty face. “I think we should go.”
“Huh?” Aiden says, looking around at us all in deep confusion. “Why? Who the hell is this guy?”
“Yeah,” Jared says, grabbing his phone off the roof of Noah’s Camaro as he addresses Aiden. “Spence is right. We should go. We’ll explain on the way.”
Aiden glances around and it’s then I remember that he’s never actually met Rivers, but I’m sure it won’t take him long to piece it together. “Yeah, alright,” he says slowly, looking to Tully and then to me. “Call me if you need anything.”
With that, the three boys slink off, leaving just our pack behind with a chance to finally get everything out in the open. I have a feeling that isn’t going to happen until the boys have sorted their differences though, and from the way Noah’s hands have balled i
nto fists at his side, I’d dare say it’s going to be a bad one.
Something tells me we won’t be making the races tonight after all.
Rivers’ eyes flick from Noah and across to Tully who looks like she’s about to collapse to the ground as she shakes her head with tears in her eyes. Rivers takes a step forward with his heart on his sleeve and the emotion pouring out of him in waves.
He dumps his bag on the grass and keeps a good distance, knowing more than anyone that she needs her space right now. “I’m sor-”
Noah rushes him, cutting off his apology as he grabs him by the front of his shirt. “How could you do that to her?” he roars.
Rivers allows him to toss him around like a ragdoll all while looking sick to his stomach. “I had no choice.”
Noah shakes his head. “Not fucking good enough,” he bellows before rearing back and punching Rivers square in the jaw. Rivers stumbles back a few steps, but Noah is nowhere near finished with him. “There’s always a choice. You could have come to me.”
“I…”
“No. You put her in the fucking hospital and then left her there, completely broken. You tore her apart and now you have the balls to come back here? After leaving without even a goodbye.” Rivers shakes his head, lost for words. “Do you have any idea what kind of mess you left behind?” Noah demands. “We’ve really fucking needed you.”
With that, Noah starts laying into him and Rivers stands there and takes it, knowing Noah needs this release.
Shit. I race forward, hoping there’s something I can do to put this to an end.
It’s not until Tully snaps out of her trance that she takes in what’s actually happening right in front of her and decides to give me a hand, but it’s not as though she’s in any sort of rush. She walks forward and places a hand on Noah’s shoulder. “That’s enough,” she tells him firmly. “Take a walk.”
“Back off Tully,” Noah seethes, not nearly finished with Rivers. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Tully’s hand slaps hard across Noah’s face and it’s as though she just drenched him with icy cold water. She slams her hands into his chest, demanding his complete and undivided attention. “I said take a walk,” she roars in a tone I’ve never heard from her before.
Undeniable: Haven Falls (Book 5) Page 13
