Page 53 of Web of Lies

Kyle

"We'll be leaving soon," I say, breaking the silence. Both Noah and Evelyn turn to look at me. Noah is sitting at the dining table, holding a newspaper in his hand, as he sips his morning coffee. Meanwhile, Evelyn stands beside him with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"Are you sure you two are ready?" Evelyn asks, furrowing her brows.

I hesitate for a moment because the truth is, I'm not entirely sure. But last night after training, Riley let her guard down, and I saw the shift I had been waiting for. Something in her eyes told me she's done running. She might be scared, but she is ready to confront her fears.

"The longer we wait, the more likely they'll suspect Riley set them up," I say.

Noah lets out a thoughtful hum, his eyes narrowing at me. Evelyn's head snaps toward him, shock flashing across her face. "Wait. You agree with that?"

Noah leans back in his chair, his fingers drumming against the table. "Kyle has a point. Chloé most likely didn't tell her employer how Riley got away, just that she did." His gaze flicks to Evelyn, then back to me. "Riley told Chloé she was close, right?"

"Yes."

"Then with luck, Chloé passed that on to the employer and then went on her merry way without payment."

Evelyn frowns, shifting her weight onto one leg. "How can you be so sure she didn't tell them?"

"She only does what she's paid to do," I say, my voice flat. "Chloé may snoop for her own amusement, but unless you ask her the right question in the right way, she won't hand over any information. She's insane, yes, but her father raised her to be a weapon."

"Additionally," Noah cuts in. "She's too obsessed with you to snitch on you herself.

" He nods toward me. "In fact, ratting you out would ruin her chances of ever getting you back.

Plus, she'd end up on the shit list of half the city, and not even her dad could help her then. Either way, I called him, told him about her, and he’s keeping her in check. "

"Thanks for that." I nod.

"Sure."

Chloé's fascination with me has always been a double-edged sword. But now, against all odds, it's working in my favor. Who would have thought that her madness would end up keeping me and the one person I care for safe?

Evelyn narrows her eyes as she shifts her attention to Noah. "How do you know so much about her?" There's a sharp edge in her tone that she doesn't bother to hide.

"I'm on good terms with her father," Noah says, unbothered. "Plus, I met her a few times when Kyle was still dating her."

"You dated her?" Evelyn's head spins toward me, her eyes wide.

"Yes, but it didn't last long," I admit, scratching the back of my neck.

Evelyn's lips press into a thin line, like she's fighting to keep something from slipping out.

But I know that look too well. She'll save it for later.

She has never been good at hiding her jealousy when it comes to other women in the business.

And Chloé? She's not just anyone. Everyone in New York knows her name, her face, her reputation. She's impossible to miss.

"Eve, you can give him an earful later," I cut in, breaking the tension and drawing their attention.

"Noah's right. We've been here for two and a half weeks.

That's just enough time for them to believe that Riley has been lying low, tying up loose ends, and gathering the last bits of information.

It's long enough to look convincing, but not so long that it smells like a setup. "

"Exactly," Riley's voice interrupts from behind me.

Noah and Evelyn both turn their heads as she comes down the stairs and walks up beside me.

Her damp hair is pulled into a messy bun, with a few stray strands sticking out.

The oversized T-shirt she usually sleeps in hangs loosely on her frame, clinging to her damp skin.

She crosses her arms over her chest and tugs at the shirt.

"I know two weeks isn't a long time," she says with a sigh, "but I've learned a lot.

More than I ever thought I would." She steals a glance at me.

"I'm not scared anymore. Not of holding a gun.

Not of what I need to do. I don't know if that's a good thing, but it's the truth.

" I can see the way she's mustering every ounce of courage to say the words out loud.

Her voice wavers at first, but her eyes don't.

She turns to Noah, her posture straightening. "Thank you. For helping Kyle train me. For taking me hunting even when I didn't want to go."

Noah studies her for a long moment before he gives a single nod. "You've come a long way in such a short time. Just don't forget who you are when it's done."

A flicker of unease passes over her face, but she covers it with a small chuckle. "I hope I won't."

I can't help but feel proud of her. Just a few weeks ago, she couldn't even hold a gun properly, but now she's speaking confidently in front of Noah and Evelyn.

She's tougher than ever. At the same time, though, I feel more protective of her.

Noah's right; this world has a way of chewing people up and spitting them out as different versions of themselves.

But I won't let that happen to Riley. I'll make damn sure she doesn't lose herself in the process.

Riley then looks at Evelyn. "Thank you, too. For letting us stay here. For still trusting me when you had every reason not to."

"Riley," Evelyn says, her voice wavering as she says her name. Tears glisten in her eyes as she leaves Noah's side and walks up to Riley, pulling her into a hug. "I'm proud of you," she whispers into her shoulder. "So, so proud of you."

Riley blinks, stunned for a moment, her eyes darting to me like she's not sure how to handle all that emotion. I catch her look, the silent plea for backup, but all I can do is chuckle. She then slips her arms around Evelyn, holding her tight.

My lips curve into a smile at their display of friendship.

It's unlike anything I've ever experienced: soft, emotional, and open.

Still, I can't help but glance at Noah. He's watching them with a subtle smile that I've seen only on a few rare occasions.

Definitely more now that he's with Evelyn.

Our friendship was never like this, and it never will be.

But underneath it all, we share something in common—someone who is always there for you, no matter how bad things get.

"When this is all over," Evelyn says, pulling back just enough to look at Riley, "you both have a place here. If you need time to breathe, our door is always open." Her gaze shifts from Riley to me.

"Thanks, that means a lot." I give her a nod.

Before Riley can respond, Evelyn wraps her arms around her again, holding on even tighter than before. Riley stiffens for a beat, then melts into it, her chin resting lightly on Evelyn's shoulder.

I glance over at Noah, lips twitching into a smirk. "So what about us? You gonna hug me too?"

"If you even try to put your arms around me, I'll break them." Noah doesn't even flinch, his face completely unfazed.

"Always the sentimental one." I chuckle under my breath and shake my head.