Page 111 of Lust & Lies

“I do. Brother, I...” Tristan went silent. Finally, he sighed. “I don’t agree with the way you’re handling things. But I understand. I understand what it’s like to lose the person you love due to our grandfather’s bullshit. You have every right to hate him. You have every right to hate Seo-Jin and Ellie. Hell, you have a right to hate me because I should’ve done more tohelp you out back then. I knew Ellie was lying. But grandfather was using my past against me, forcing me to stay silent. I shouldn’t have let anything keep me silent. That wasn’t fair to you or Noe.”

“You had your own issues going on,” I told him, no longer angry with him about that.

But back then, I’d been ready to kill him. Grandfather too. As for Ellie... I was still considering ending her life.

“But, brother, though I understand why you’re doing this, I also know if things go south this time, it’s Noe who’ll be hurt again. It’s Noe who’ll suffer again.”

“I know,” I agreed, tears stinging my eyes.

“No. You don’t know. You don’t know because all you’re thinking about is getting her back and making her happy. But this could go bad, Aiden. Real bad. Back then, what happened damn near broke her. This could really destroy her, brother. You’re playing with fire. And I think you’re too blinded by love and your goals to see how close the flames are to you and Noe.”

“Fuck!” I wiped at my eyes and stared down at my desk, guilt strumming through me.

“I know this is a lot on you, so that’s all I’m going to say tonight. This call was just to let you know I’ve got my guys monitoring grandfather and his movements. So far, I know he’s desperate to find out what really went down at that warehouse. He clearly doesn’t believe the story you’ve spun. He’s also upset because he hasn’t been able to reach Ellie. I told him she must be grieving Noe’s death and doesn’t want to talk yet. He’ll only buy that for so long. The next step is to make him believe she hates him and blames him for Noe’s death, right?”

“Right. But if she contacts him on her own, let me know. I don’t trust her to keep her promise to avoid him and Noe.”

I had no problem killing her if she broke that promise. Her death would be another secret I kept from Noe. I ignored the shame that thought brought me.

“I'll let you know if she makes any moves,” Tristan told me. “Keep me updated about things on your end. And if you need me for anything, let me know. Wait. Does Ethan know what’s going on with the watchdogs?”

“Hell no!”

“Good. You don’t need him interfering and trying to show up at the estate to help protect Noe, unknowingly leading grandfather to you.”

“True.”

“Okay, brother. Get some rest. I’ve got a feeling you’re going to need it. Talk with you later.”

“Bye.” I clicked to end the video call and closed the laptop.

I sighed, shoulders sagging as I stared at the far wall. Things were unraveling at the seams. I needed to get a hold of it. I couldn’t let my grandfather win... again. I wouldn’t let him take Noe from me.

Leaning back in my seat, I closed my eyes. I felt like the weight of the world was resting on my chest, on my heart. Today had taken an unexpected turn. It also showed me that I’d gotten too comfortable here.

I had to keep my guard up. The old man’s watchdogs were relentless and ruthless. But they wouldn’t be as cruel as they usually were, considering it was me and one of their own they were going after.

Then again, Noe had enemies among their ranks. If they learned she was alive, they may use this as an opportunity to get rid of her. I couldn’t let that happen. I had to protect her from them without letting her know she was in danger.

Fuck!I thought we’d have more time. But time wasn’t guaranteed to anyone. My gaze moved to the clock. Noe had tobe in bed by now. I’d left her alone all evening to handle this shit. I needed to return to her.

Rising from my seat, I left my office and headed to the guest room to see if she was there. I stepped into the bedroom and closed the door behind me. I found Noe already in bed, the cover pulled up to her head with the soft glow of the lamp illuminating her form.

I smiled. She still didn’t like sleeping in complete darkness when she was alone. I stood there for a moment, staring at her body curled near the edge of the mattress, facing away from my side of the bed.

My chest tightened. She looked so small, curled up like that. Her size often fooled others. Not me. I knew what she was capable of. Even so, I still felt the overwhelming urge to protect her, to shield her from all danger.

I wouldn’t let anyone touch her. Noe was mine. I’d keep her safe. I’d hoped we could stay like this forever. Hoped the outside world would stay the hell away. But stolen peace wasn’t made to last.

Crossing the room, I crouched in front of her. I wanted to pull the blanket down and look at her. I needed to see her face, just to remind myself why I was doing all this. Seeing her would give me the energy to continue.

But I didn’t want to wake her. So I crouched there, silent, still, watching the comforter slowly rise and fall as she slept. I placed my hand on top of the comforter, on her shoulder, comforted by the rise and fall of her breathing.

She was with me. She was alive and well. But for how long? Was my brother right? Was my love for her going to put her in unnecessary danger? Had I not covered my tracks well? Was my cover story not believable?

Would my grandfather find her and make her complete her watchdog contract? Would he try to force her to marry Seo-Jin, claiming it’s what her father would’ve wanted?Fuck that!I needed to leave the country. But I needed a valid excuse to give her.

I was keeping so much from her already. This excuse would be another lie on top of all the ones I’d already told her. The guilt of my secrets gnawed at me. How the hell was I going to tell her we needed to leave the country for a while?