Chasing The Forbidden

Chapter 8

The Edge of Trust

"Why not let me know sooner, Nolan?" Holding the piece of paper in my hands, my voice faltered as my eyes skimmed the ominous lines penned in sharp, angry strokes.

"Because I didn't know how," he said, his voice quiet but underlined with urgency. He walked in front of me, his hands splaying through his messy hair. Sophie, I can't risk you fleeing once more.

Ignoring the searing discomfort in my shoulder, I shot to my feet. "You mean you could not risk losing control of me?" my voice sharpened through the suspense.

His eyes locked on mine, flaming with irritation and something softer. "That's not it, and you know it," he added, approaching closely. I was attempting to guard you.

I let out a sour laugh. "Please protect me?" It seemed like a bad business decision to keep me in the dark while someone else is blackmailing you and using me as bait.

His voice echoed in the little room as he yelled, "I didn't plan for any of this!" "You think I wanted you pulled into my mess? Sophie, you are the last person I would want to inflict damage on.

Funny, I murmured, my voice breaking. "Because that is all you seem to do.”

The quiet that followed was intolerable. I felt the sting of unshed tears burning in my eyes and could hear my pulse thumping fast.

Nolan inhaled deeply, his shoulders dropping as he moved forward, and his palms extended in a placating motion. His voice was lower now. "Sophie, I'm not asking for forgiveness," he murmured. "I am requesting your assistance. Just kindly. Without you, I couldn't have accomplished this.

As his words sank over me, my throat constricted. I knew he was speaking the truth despite all the lies, treachery, heartbreak despite all. And that terrified me as well.

"You're asking a lot," I said, my voice hardly audible.

"I know," he replied, his eyes riveted on mine with a force that made breathing difficult. But only you inspire me to trust you.

A quick tap at the door jolted terror through me before I could answer. Nolan moved for me to keep behind him after his hand shot at his revolver.

He yelled, "Who is it?" with a cool but powerful voice.

"Open the door, Nolan," a familiar voice muffled but clearly uttered.

My blood ran cold. Julian came first.

Nolan turned back to me, his face a mix of anxiety and resolve. He murmured, "Stay here," and turned toward the door.

I responded, reaching for his arm, "No." "I am not letting you face him by yourself."

"Sophie"

"Don't argue with me," I hissed, my hold strengthening. "I have come this far." Right now I am not backing down.

His jaw clenched; he hesitated, then nodded. "Excellent. Maintain tight proximity.

Nolan opened the door slowly, his gun hidden but ready. Julian stood on the other side, his neat suit perfect despite the turmoil he always seemed to bring.

Julian, Nolan said, his voice icy. "What are your preferences?"

Julian's eyes shot to mine, a deliberate, slow smile across his face. "Ah, Sophie," he murmured with fluidity. I felt you would be here.

Nolan spoke bluntly, his body rigid like a coil spring. "For what reason are you here?"

Julian came inside, his presence engulfing the room like a storm cloud. “You know why,” he continued, his tone deceptively calm. “The documents. Hand them over, and this all ends.”

Nolan laughed, a hard, bitter sound. You mean your blackmail stops now? Let’s not pretend this is about anything else.”

Julian's eyes darkened, but his smile never changed. "Call it what you like, but you are aware of the consequences. You pass them over; I unleash everything. And believe me, Nolan, your reputation is not the only thing online. His eyes turned to me, and my gut turned as well.

Nolan responded, moving in front of me defensively: "You leave her out of this."

Julian arched an eyebrow. "Interesting." Sophie, do you know just how far Nolan traveled to ensure his valuable firm survived? The offers he made? Regarding the people he betrayed:

“Stop,” Nolan hissed, his palm tightening on the revolver.

Julian turned aside, staring blankly at me. “He betrayed you once, didn’t he? Why would you believe he won't do it once more?

"Enough!" Nolan yelled and lifted the rifle. "You've done work. Go now.

Julian did not wave. If anything, his smile opened out further. "Nolan, you cannot shoot me. Not unless you are prepared to part from everything.

The room felt choked, the tension thick enough to cut. My head whirled, caught between mistrust and the smallest gleam of hope, fear, and wrath.

"Julian," I murmured, my voice more under control than I felt. "Why myself?" Why pull me into your conflict with Nolan all this effort?

His smile wavered for a few seconds, then he straightened out fast. "Because you're his weakness," he answered simply. And I never leave unfinished business.

A frigid chill rushed down my back. Nolan's hand tightened on my arm, a mute comfort or perhaps a warning.

"I'm giving you one last chance," Julian replied, his voice reducing to a frightening whisper. "Hand over the paperwork; everyone you know bears costs."

The window broke before one of us could react, and a little gadget was cluttered to the ground. The room started to smoke, pungent and blind.

“Go!” Nolan yelled, snatching my hand and dragging me toward the rear door.

Coughing and confused, we came upon the alley. Footballs and yells behind us became louder.

Nolan continued, drawing me toward a little pass-through, "this way."

I questioned, faltering to keep up, "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere Julian can't follow," he whispered, his hold on my hand strong.

My head flew with unresolved emotions and unresolved questions as we sprinted. Julian's comments kept coming back to me, planting seeds of uncertainty I couldn't overlook.

But I couldn't deny the truth as I looked at Nolan; his jaw tight and his eyes concentrated. Through everything, I wanted to believe him. I wanted to think this time he would not let me down.

As we turned a corner, we came upon three of Julian's guys squarely. Nolan pushed me behind him while his gun went up.

"Stay back," he cautioned, his voice icy and commanding.

One of the males laughed smugly. "You are not going to win this, Nolan."

He shot back, his finger hesitating over the trigger, and said, "Want to bet?"

The tense air made the standoff seem endless. Then, without warning, a tremendous blast rocked the roadway and sent us to the ground.

With the dust settled, I turned to Nolan and listened. What was that?

His face was pallid, and his eyes shook wide. His voice almost audible, he continued, "I don't know."

Deep down, though, I understood this was simply a starting point. And whatever was ahead was going to fundamentally alter everything.

Under what circumstances did the explosion occur? Who planned it, and why? And can Nolan and Sophie face the mounting te

Nsion between them while surviving the increasing peril?