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“I don’t know. I guess it’s best to just pull off the Band-Aid. Tell me what kept you up all night.”
Noah sucks in a deep breath, then begins, and after he explains what Belinda heard, I feel queasy.
“What’re you thinking?” he asks, studying my face. “You okay?”
“All of this makes me sick to my stomach and puts me on edge. I’ve hardly been able to eat or keep anything down.”
He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles. Sad eyes meet mine. “I’m so sorry to put you through this, baby. I hate that it’s affecting you so much.”
“It’s okay. We’re going to get through this and prove they’re responsible.”
Noah lets out a long breath. “There’s more.”
“More?” I ask. “Seriously?”
“I have a gut feeling she’s the woman Gabe was with the night of the accident,” he barely whispers. “And I think she was pregnant with his baby.”
A chill rushes through me as I remember what Owen said about Anthony not having a father either.
“I don’t remember the woman’s name who testified against me or what she looked like, but I’m almost certain it was her. I also think Loretta knew about the baby and has tried to keep it hidden. I believe that’s what all of this is really about. It’s the only thing that seems to make any sense.”
I try hard to understand, but some of this still doesn’t line up. “So why would Brittany want you dead?” I ask.
“Revenge,” he simply states.
My head spins. “The stress of it all is weighing so heavily on me because I’m so worried about you. I was hoping we’d have a fresh start together.”
“I’m not gonna let anyone or anything get between us. Not Loretta. Not Brittany. No one. I’m so sorry I brought this trouble to you,” he states matter-of-factly.
“It’s not your fault, Noah. I just know we have to be careful because you’re being watched. Keeping you safe has to be our priority.”
He lets out a sigh. “Based on what I heard in the hospital and the lengths Brittany's already gone to get back at me, you’re right. She won’t stop until she gets what she wants—me dead.”
“I’m still convinced Loretta is the ringleader of all of this, especially since she asked Brittany why she’s still in town,” I say.
“She could be, but Brittany has skin in the game too. Can’t trust either of them.”
Noah pulls me into his body and holds me. I lean my head against his shoulder and inhale his scent.
“We need to tell Tyler,” I tell him.
“You’re right. He might have an idea or some sort of solution, considering he kinda went through something similar. Even if I tried to make a police report, it would be useless at this time because we have no proof.” He chuckles. “When I say it out loud, it sounds like a major case of paranoia.”
“A handful of people have witnessed all this go down from the beginning, so we know that’s not the case. We need to figure out how to keep you protected.”
“Maybe I should leave town?” He looks at me with sad eyes.
“No. If you leave, they win. We have to beat them at their own game so they can be prosecuted for all the wrong they’ve done,” I say.
“I know leaving isn’t an option, Katie. There’s too much I love here. Mainly you and Owen.” He smiles, and I place my palm on his cheek and kiss him.
“We’ll figure it out,” I promise. “Together. Maybe you can talk to Tyler tomorrow? See if he can come over so we can fill him in on what’s going on?”
“I’ll chat with him first thing in the morning.”
After work, I pick up Noah from the gym. He spoke with Tyler, and he said he’d stop by tonight. We pick up cheeseburgers on the way and eat them once we’re at my house.
“What do you think he’ll say?” I ask, dipping a fry in my ketchup.
Noah shrugs. “He has more experience dealing with crazy people than any of us, so I’m praying he has some sort of solution.”
Though it’s true, it still makes me laugh. After we’ve finished eating, Tyler arrives without Gemma. He looks at us and smiles, but he’s mainly all business. Noah explains what has happened so far and all the information we’ve learned over the past few weeks. He goes over what he heard at the hospital, the vandalism, what Belinda said, and even the large sum of money Loretta withdrew from the bank.
“I’m certain Loretta and Brittany are trying to kill me,” Noah finally says. Silence fills the room.
Tyler keeps a straight face, but his jaw is clenched. After another minute, he clears his throat and speaks up. “You need a bodyguard immediately. Someone to watch things when you can’t. If Anthony is Gabe’s, then she’d have some sort of relationship with Loretta, even if it was a broken one. Loretta needs to be confronted, and the sooner, the better. She could stop this if she’s the one in control of the situation.”
