Chasing The Forbidden

Chapter 6

A Deal with Danger

Nolan murmured, his voice rough and low, like a storm building on the horizon. His hand was on my arm, warm and steady in the middle of the turbulence in the air between us. "Everything in my company, my life, you are gone if I do nothing to stop them."

My pulse pounding, I drew my arm back. And who is responsible for that, Nolan? You pulled me into this. You lied to me, betrayed me, and today you want me to clean your mess?

"It's not that basic!" His austere voice contrasted with the sensitivity in his eyes, those terrible eyes that had consistently worked against me.

"Then make it simple," I shot back, not letting him know how much his presence still touched me. After what you have done, why should I trust you?

He let out a quick gasp and ran a hand through his dark, messy hair. The gesture made my heart hurt, and my fury surged since it was so cruelly familiar. "Because I had no choice," he added softly. "I had no choice at all."

Keeping a safe gap between us, I folded my arms. There is always a choice, Nolan. You decided to turn on me.

"I was blackmailed!" he yelled, his voice bouncing off the empty warehouse walls. They dirt on my company and on me. They threatened to bring everything down. And when I faltered, they threatened you.

I stopped, the words like a knife cutting through my barriers. Me? I said, my voice shaking. "Why me"? What have I to do with this?

"Because they knew," he murmured, approaching closely, and his voice dropped to a painful whisper. They understood how much you meant to me.

My breath seized in my throat, but I immediately covered my response with a sneer. Nice try, Nolan. After what you put me through, you never get to play the "I did it for you" card.

His jaw tightened, giving the impression that he was prepared to argue. He bowed his head, defeated instead, though. "You are right," he remarked gently. I do not merit your pardon. Still, I might need your help.

Help? I shook my head and laughed bitterly. Why would I be of use to you? Give me one justifiable argument.

"Because the person blackmailing me is the same person who destroyed us," he added, desperation flaring in his eyes. "And they'll come after you next if we let them go unchecked."

The conviction in his voice pinched my gut. All the same, I knew Nolan wasn't lying. He was not a liar, even if he could be a lot of things irresponsible, haughty, enraged. At least not concerning something like that.

"Who is it?" I inquired, my voice calm in spite of the tempest roaring inside. Who is behind all of this?

Although his hesitation was brief, it was evident when he finally said, "Julian Kane," a name that deeply chilled me.

I repeated, savoring the harshness of Julian Kane. "Your former adviser?"

Nolan nodded, his face turning gloomy. He was the one who tightened the cords, ensuring I could leave without paying the cost. And now he's back, threatening to reveal everything should I refuse to comply.

I narrowed my gaze, distrust coiling in my chest. "Why now?" What is he hoping for?

"To finish what he started," Nolan started with a grimace. He wants my company, my reputation, everything I have worked for. And he is ready to wipe out anybody that gets in his path.

Including me, I knew with a terrible shock.

What do you need from me? With a lower voice now, I asked.

Nolan's eyes softened as shame and thanks mixed on his face. I need you to assist with his exposure. The only person who knows me sufficiently to expose his lies and assist me in proving I am not the villain in this narrative is you.

I wanted to find the irony funny. Following everything he had done, he asked me to be the hero. But it was impossible to ignore the raw, unguarded feeling in his eyes.

And should we fail, what then? With cautious crossing of my arms, I asked.

He hesitated; his quiet said volumes.

"Nolan," I pressed. "What happens if we fall short?"

He fixed me, his face stiffening. Should we fall short, we lose everything.

Though I forced myself to stand upright, a cold raced down my spine. "Fine," I answered, shockingly even for me. I will be of assistance to you. Still, never consider for a moment that this makes us even.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he answered, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. This was the first actual smile I had seen from him in years, and it caused heartaches I wasn't ready to face.

The delicate peace between us was broken before I could focus on it by the far-off sound of approaching feet. Nolan's smile disappeared, then he just looked determined.

"They're here," he whispered, snatching my hand and dragging me toward the darkness. Keep near.

Under a stack of boxes, we hid as low whispers joined increasing footfall. My heart hammered in my chest; the weight of the rifle Nolan had handed me earlier was all too real, suddenly felt.

"What's the agenda?" I murmured, slanted close enough to feel his body against mine.

He turned to look at me, his face a mix of regret and will. We improvisate.

Great, I said, tightening my hold on the rifle. "I find improvisation to be great."

The voices got closer, and I could hear Julian's firm, elegant tone. Locate them. They could not have gone very far.

Nolan tightened next to me, his fingers touching mine in what seemed like an unspoken pledge. Whether or not I enjoyed it, we were in this together.

Nolan tackled the man to the ground before he could lift his weapon as the first shadow loomed into view, moving with great speed. For a brief instant, adrenaline and fear struggled for control. I froze.

"Sophie!" Nolan's voice cut me back to reality. "Mobility!"

Rising to my feet, I dove and weaved through the turmoil all around. Gunpowder smelled bitter, yells broke out, and shots went off. Nolan engaged in battle with an intensity I had never witnessed before; his movements were precise and almost graceful.

We were outnumbered, though, and Julian himself soon materialized, his arrogant smile slicing through the tumult like a knife. One hand he gripped a gun; the other sloppily nestled in his pocket.

Well, well, he said, staring at me. "The infamous Sophie." You have come under a lot of attention.

Despite pushing myself to stand up, I felt a surge of coldness. "Funny; I can't say the same about you."

Julian laughed, the sound making me shiver down my back. " Feisty. That's good. He turned his focus to Nolan, still recovering from his breathlessness. Nolan, you have been a constant source of frustration for far too long. This has to be stopped now.

"Over my dead body," Nolan spat, venomous in tone.

Julian's smile became wider. "If you insist..."

Julian raised his gun, squarely pointing at Nolan before I could respond. My heart stopped; the universe shrank from that one terrible moment.

Not at all! Screaming, I threw myself in front of Nolan just as the gunshot sounded.

As I dropped to the ground, the agony was instantaneous and burning through my shoulder. Nolan's arms surrounded me quickly, his voice a panicked flurry of things I couldn't quite understand.

Laughing, Julian left behind him as he vanished into the darkness. Nolan's face, covered with a mix of sadness and fury, was the last thing I saw before darkness seized me.

By whom did Sophie get shot? Is Julian likely to attack once more? And can Nolan's love and desperation suffice to save both of them?