Alexis

I don’t know what Alex said to Noah, but it’s obvious he somehow got to him. I could hear the anger in Noah’s voice. He was cold and wanted nothing to do with me. I am tempted to call Alex but I know it’s pointless. Alex will only tell me what he thinks I should know.

It is a long night staring at the ceiling thinking about Noah. I barely remember driving myself to the mall as I pull into my regular parking spot. I glance around, noticing that Lola’s car is already here, and I roll my eyes not wanting to talk to her today. When I walk into the store, Lola gives me a small smile and says ‘good morning’ and I just groan at her in response.

“How is everything going, Alexis?”

“You are kidding me, right?” I ask, and Lola closes her eyes, taking a deep breath.

“I know this whole situation has to be difficult for you, but please, remember we are your family. We love you, Alexis, and just want what’s best for you,” Lola commiserates, and I start to laugh. She raises an eyebrow, looking at me like I have lost my mind.

“You love me and want what’s best for me? I’ll keep that in mind,” I tell her sarcastically and walk away to unlock the cash register.

Lola doesn’t say much to me for the remainder of the morning and I keep watching the entrance hoping that Noah shows up. He said he would call and it’s almost noon. When I hear my cell phone ring, I rush behind the counter to grab it, seeing Noah’s name on the caller ID. Noah tells me that he is in the coffee shop and asks me to meet him.

Noah stares at me with dark, cold, angry eyes and I hold my coffee with both hands to keep myself calm. Why is he looking at me like this? Noah glances at everyone that walks into the coffee shop and I can’t help but notice that he is intense and just seems different.

“Noah, what’s wrong?” I ask as he lifts his gaze to look at another person walking in.

Noah narrows his eyes and places both arms on the table, leaning toward me.

“I need to ask you something and I want you to be honest with me.”

“Okay. Ask me,” I say softly, and his eyes narrow on me.

“Was Nick involved in the Mafia when you were fucking him?” Noah growls and I gasp not only from his words but his tone.

“Noah…” I start to answer, and he slams his fist down on the table shaking my coffee cup.

“Answer the damn question, Alexis!” Noah hisses and I shake my head not knowing how to answer his question.

“I don’t know,” I whisper, and Noah pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes.

“You know, Alexis. Just fucking tell me!” he spits out and I turn to makes sure no one is listening.

“I don’t know, Noah,” I whisper. Then tell him that I am only recently finding out some things myself.

“What did you recently find out?” Noah mocks me, and I shake my head, wondering if I really knew him after all.

“Nothing about Nick. I just found out things about my own brothers.”

“Are you trying to tell me that you didn’t know your brothers are the fucking mob?” Noah questions me, and I look away from his penetrating gaze as I fight back my tears.

“Fuck,” Noah curses. Then I hear him let out a small, evil chuckle.

“You honestly didn’t know. How did you figure it out? he asks.

I shake my head thinking back to Noah telling me that he was looking for Nick. What am I supposed to tell him? I figured it out when you mentioned looking for your dead brother? I am startled out of my thoughts by Noah calling my name repeatedly. I meet his eyes again and he lifts his eyebrows waiting for my response.

“I am not talking about them with you.”

“Tell me about Nick. How long were you with him?” Noah asks, and this isn’t a conversation I want to have either. I guess if I must choose between talking about his brother or mine, the safest choice would be his.

Noah remains quiet as I tell him how I met Nick and how we hated each other when we first met. I told him how Nick owned the security company that Lola’s father used and how Nick protected Adele. Noah’s eyes become distant as I tell him that I honestly loved Nick and thought we would always be together.

“Why did he leave?” Noah asks, and I remember that Noah thinks Nick is alive and well. He doesn’t know that Adele’s ex killed Nick and my brothers buried his fucking body.

“He had another job, Noah. I think he is protecting some other judge.” I lie, and I feel sick realizing that I am no better than Alex or Frank

Noah chuckles and leans over the table, pulling my hand into his.

“Alexis… I know you well enough to know when you’re lying. Tell me the truth,” he growls, and I pull my hands away and wipe away the tear that has fallen.

“You were telling the truth until I asked you about Nick leaving. Where is he, Alexis?” Noah asks me again, and I feel my heart racing and my chest tightening. I can hardly breathe and feel a panic attack coming on. I stare into Noah’s dark, intense eyes as he waits for me to tell him the truth and I feel faint. I hate being put into this fucking situation by my own family. I hate that I must keep quiet and keep their secrets. I hate that I am sitting across from this man that I have fallen in love with and I must lie to him the way everyone has been lying to me.

“Alexis... Just fucking tell me where he is!” Noah repeats and I close my eyes hoping that I am not about to make a major fuck up.

“Noah…” I quietly say, and I wipe away the new tears that have started to fall.

“Nick is dead,” I whisper, and the color slowly drains from Noah’s face.