Page 29 of Noel Secrets

Michael’s gut clenched. He darted a glance around the car. He turned back to Simon, his voice low and dangerous. “This doesn’t leave this table.”

Simon shrugged as though it didn’t matter. He stood, straightening his coat. Then he reached out his hand toward Jayda. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep watch over her.”

Jayda winced, standing firm. “I don’t want help from either of you. It’s too dangerous. I’m the one who tasered the guy, remember? I handled it. And I’ll keep handling it.”

Michael opened his mouth to tell her to forget it, not happening, but she raised her hand to stop him.

Jayda’s voice dropped. “I’m getting off this train. I’m not dragging your family into this. I could never forgive myself ifsomething happened to any of you…to the twins. They deserve a safe home, a family…something I didn’t have until?—”

She cut herself short.

Michael’s stomach lurched. She should have saidUntil Ginny and Ed took me in.She should have felt safe and welcome in their home. His parents had made her family. But him? He had made her feel like an intruder.

The guilt hit him like a fist.

Jayda straightened abruptly, as though shutting the thought down before she spoke the truth. “I’ll leave without saying goodbye. Don’t tell Ginny and Ed until after the train leaves Chicago. Please.”

Simon frowned. “Where will you go?”

She frowned. “I don’t know. I’ll figure it out. I’ll survive. Hide out for a while.”

Michael’s throat closed.

Her graduation, her plans—everything she’d worked toward—suspended in an instant. She was throwing it away to protect his family.

Simon reached into his coat and pulled out the wad of cash he’d flashed a few days before. He pressed it into her hand. “Take this.”

Jayda blinked, startled. “Simon?—”

“Don’t argue,” he said firmly.

Michael stood stunned. He’d spent so long distrusting Simon, writing him off as arrogant and reckless. But this? This was generosity and selfless. Something Michael hadn’t expected. Perhaps Simon wasn’t the one he should have worried about taking advantage of Jayda. Maybe it was himself.

And now, she was walking off this train…and out of his life, possibly never to see her again.

He deserved nothing less.

Panic arose in his chest at the sight of her heading to the end of the car and out the sliding door. She slipped out and stepped off the car.

Michael’s body moved before his brain could. He followed, heart hammering as she walked down the platform. Through the window, he caught a last glimpse of her coat vanishing down the walk.

And then she was gone.

He reached the end of the car just as the sound of the conductor’s whistle pierced the air. The train shuddered and then lurched forward.

“Jayda!”

Michael’s voice tore from his throat. He sprinted, shoving past passengers, racing to the exit and outside. The platform was already sliding by in a blur.

He leapt, not even thinking twice.

For one sickening second, he was flying. Then, his hands slammed against the edge of the platform, his body dangling. His boots scraped the ground. He hauled himself up with a grunt, chest heaving, eyes scanning desperately.

“Jayda! Wait!”

His voice echoed through the station, swallowed by the sound of the moving train. He pushed forward, running into the night.

“Jayda!” he called again as the train swept past them, leaving them behind.