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Once he’s done, Cyprus leads me out of the store and to his truck.
“Anything else you can think that you might need? Books? Tablet? Anything else for your hair? Any other clothes?” he asks, putting the bags in the backseat before turning to face me, his brow cocked.
I start to shake my head, but I do miss reading. The only thing I get to read is what I get from the local library, but I haven’t been able to go there in a while. “Could we go by the library?”
“We’ll go into the bookstore. You can get a few books, and I’ll order you a Kindle,” he declares and points at the bookstore he’s talking about. “We’ll make this quick, so we can swing back by the house and drop everything off before going to get Bride. After, we need to go by the grocery store and stock up. I figure we’ll do steaks and baked potatoes for dinner.”
And just like that, he takes control and guides me into the store, at the same time turning me into a puddle of goo but in a different way. One I don’t understand and wish that I could. It’s as if Cyprus is trying to shove his way into my heart, but then again, he never had to do that. He’s always been there. Then again, it almost feels like he’s doing this out of charity and pity.
This makes more sense and I hate myself for it.
I’m not one for wanting people to pity me. Charity is something Idon’t want ever to have anyone feel for me, and I think after we get to his house, I’ll tell him just that. I’m no one’s charity case. I’ve always done whatever I had to do to survive, and I will find a way to repay him for all he’s bought for me today. He’s done enough, and it’s time for me to show him I still have a backbone.
CHAPTER12
CYPRUS
There’s something up with Noelle. Ever since we left the bookstore, I’ve noticed it. She’s been quiet, not talking, but not in the way before. This is different. I wanted to talk to her about it when we dropped everything off, but time was limited, and we had to get to the school.
While at the school, I decided to go in and introduce her to the office ladies and got her added to the pickup list and emergency contacts. See, what Noelle doesn’t know yet is I got rid of the phone she had and put her on my phone plan. Oh, I know she’s going to be pissed and I’m all but waiting for the spitfire girl I know is in that shell she has folded around her to crack through and lay into me.
Maybe that’s what’s got her being so quiet. She’s lying in wait.
Regardless, I’ll have it out with her one way or another. Now, I know the truth, even the bits that I didn’t know Noah held close to his chest, and why he was so protective of his little sister. It’s something Noelle needs to know, because the danger isn’t over yet, and the more Nerd finds and sends to me, the more I become antsy about things.
Secrets surround Noelle tenfold, and there’s no disregarding it in the least. Not with her birthday coming up. She’s about to be twenty-five, and with that, things will change. Her life hangs in the balance of what will happen.
Staring at her as she sits with Bride at the table, helping her with her homework, I can see the pieces that never seemed to fit together before. Why Hector Dominquez would want to keep her. He’s using her. It all makes sense, he’s biding his time. I’m willing to bet that’s why he allows those parents of hers—if that’s what they can be called—to live.
I’ve done my own research into theDominquez family and their ruthlessness. They also answer to someone else. The Quirinos. To say that family isn’t one you want to fuck with. Mateo Quirino would gladly slit his mother’s throat before being crossed. Having theDominquez family aligned with them and Hector having access to Noelle . . . fuck, they’d be unstoppable.
With Noah gone, that leaves even more of a target on Noelle. And the more I think about it, the more I fucking hate it. I want nothing more than to go put bullets in those bastards, but they’ve up and vanished.
Stoney had sent Viper, Kevlar, and Aries out to the house last night after I’d brought Noelle home with me. Hector, her folks, everyone, they were all gone, and the house was lit up like a torch. Now, we’ve got to be on the lookout for them.
I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure they don’t get their hands on Noelle. Never again will she go through that bullshit. All because of greed. She doesn’t deserve it. None of it.
I fucked up with her, and I’ll own my mistakes. I intend to fully make it up to her in every way possible.
Watching her now makes it hard to focus on anything else. My dick is hard and throbbing, wanting inside her, but after everything she’s been through, she doesn’t need that. She doesn’t need me doing any more than I’ve been doing. Fuck me. Kissing her, having her mouth, is nearly enough to send me insane with need, but I can’t help but torture myself. I’m a glutton for punishment.
“Noelle and I are finished with my homework,” Bride announces, skipping away from the table into the kitchen. “Can I help make the potatoes?”
The girl loves to help in the kitchen. If it has anything to do with cooking, she’s there. Even when it involves grilling. Hell, last time we had a cookout, she stood with Venom and Whip at the grills, helping them cook the ribs.
“Yeah, you can help by getting the toppings together.” I grin while pulling the potatoes out of the oven. “I’ve got to go cook up the steaks real quick, and we’ll be ready to eat.”
“Okay, I’ll get them and start prepping them,” Bride says excitedly and looks at Noelle. “Do you like sour cream and butter on your potato?”
“I do.” Noelle smiles, looks in my direction, and asks, “Is there anything I can help with?”
“Yeah, baby, why don’t you come help me?” I suggest and carry the pan with steaks out to the grill on the patio.
“What do you need help with?” she asks, following behind me, closing the screen door behind us.
“I just wanted you out here with me,” I tell her and use the tongs to set the steaks on the grates in the middle to give them a good sear. It’s the best way to get a nice juice-tender steak. Give it a few minutes on either side and move it off the direct heat.
“Why?” The snark tone in her voice draws a grin to my lips as I glance over to find her standing there with her hands on her hips.
