It wasn't his face I noticed at first. What I noticed was the way he moved through the crowd. Quietly and carefully, almost like he didn't want to be seen. Somehow, it is impossible not to notice him.
Evan Cross was still on the floor. He had become pale and unconscious, and we were waiting for the arrival of the medic.
When I felt it, someone was watching me. And trust me… It wasn't the nice kind of attention. It wasn't admiration, not control. It was observation. Calculation.
He was leaning against the wall in the corner of the room with his arms crossed, like he had all the time in the world. Dressed in a dark jacket and fitted jeans. Nothing flashy, just simple. Somehow, that made him look more like a villain.
Noah Reed.
I didn't know much about him. I didn't even know his name. But I knew one thing for sure… he noticed every damn thing. And whatever reason he had for being here…I knew it was me.
***
Adrian still held my hands. "Stay close," he whispered.
I nodded like a well-behaved child, but I couldn't focus with Noah Reed in the room. I couldn't breath, the room felt smaller as if the walls were closing in
Noah's eyes gave nothing away, sharp enough to feel like they were peeling me open. He didn't blink. Didn't move. Nice superpower.
He just… watched. The way he looked at me got goosebumps on my skin.
"You should step back," Adrain said, his voice being more like a warning. "He's not…"
"I can handle him," I didn't let him finish, surprising even myself.
Adrian brows furrowed "Mara…"
I ignored him. Something told me Noah wasn't here to play games.
He finally moved towards me. Each step was quiet and controlled. Like he'd rehearsed that a thousand times.
"Mara Quinn," he said. A cold dread settled within me. He knew my name. How did he know my name?
"I'm…" I began, but Adrian gave me a "what's going on" look.
"Answer him," Adrian said softly.
Noah stopped two feet away. He was close enough that I could feel the heat coming from him. It was way too much for a random guy.
"I have been watching you Mara," he said, voice low and steady. "I know what you're running from."
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
"I… I don't know what you mean," I stammered, though every nerve in my body was screaming that I did.
"You shouldn't be here," he said, leaning just a little closer. "And if the wrong people find you…" His words stopped there, but the threat hung in the air.
I swallowed hard, I was overthinking at this point.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, trying to sound as calm as I could. But I failed, and my voice came out a bit shaky.
Noah tilted his head, evaluating me like his recent case. "I didn't come here because of whatever you think," he said. "I'm here to make sure you survive."
I didn't trust him. Not fully. But there was this calm in his eyes, terrifying at the same time that made me pause.
Adrian's hand tightened around mine. "Do not…"
"I'll go with him," I interrupted, startling both men. "If you're going to follow me, I would prefer it to be out in the open."
Noah arched an eyebrow as if impressed by what I said. "Smart."
***
We walked out of the building together, the city noise fading behind us. He didn't ask questions. He didn't make conversation. He just watched, scanning the streets like he expected trouble at every corner.
"Do you always work alone?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"No," he said, eyes still scanning the area. "But I usually like it that way."
There was something in the way he spoke that made it clear he had been following me, and it didn't start now. It's longer than anyone should have.
"Do I…know you?" I asked carefully.
For the first time, he looked at me directly. "Not yet," he said. "But I know you."
My pulse shot up. "What does that mean?" I whispered.
Noah's gaze moved to something behind me, and his expression changed. Before I could turn to see what he had seen, he grabbed my arm, pulling me behind a car.
"Stay down," he ordered, his voice low and urgent. didn't say a word. "They're already here," he said like it was nothing.
As we crouched beside the car, I felt his chest pressed against my back, his heart racing. My bag pressed into my side, I checked the content and sighed in relief, the envelope still inside.
"What is it?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He peeked around the corner. "They're here, the men who have been watching you. Studying your routine. They're professionals."
The men who thought I was gone…weren't done with me. We stayed that way for several minutes. My thoughts ran wild. Who had arranged my placement? Who wanted me alive, or maybe dead?
Finally, he straightened. "We have to move. Now."
I hesitated. "Where? I can't just…"
"No time," he interrupted. "You're not safe here. Not with anyone, not even… him." He glanced sharply toward Halloway building across the street, where Adrian still lingered like a predator in waiting.
"No time," he cut in. "You're not safe here. Not with anyone. Not even…him." His gaze moved towards Halloway building across the street, where Adrian was watching… like he was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
I nodded, trusting him cause I didn't have a choice.
As we branched the next street, some thoughts kept running through my mind.
Noah Reed wasn't just watching me. He was following orders. Someone's orders, right? And if he was here… that meant the people who had set me in motion were closer than I imagined.
And far more dangerous.