Page 69 of Shattered Oaths

My jaw clenches so tight I’m worried I might break a tooth. Her response pisses me off for two reasons. One, because she’s defending her husband and his macho big-brother-bullshit instead of seeing it for what it is – hypocritical. And two, because she’s right.

God-fucking-dammit.

In all the years I’ve known Noah, he has never once had a girlfriend. Hell, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with the same woman twice. So, what makes me any different?

My mind flashes back to the day he took me out to the forest on the horses. He told me that day that he could see himself getting married and having children someday. But only, when he finds the right woman.

Am I fooling myself by thinking that this thing between us could actually go somewhere? CouldIbe the right woman? Or am I just a placeholder? Someone to warm his bed at night until the right one comes along to take her rightful place.

My stomach sours and I stay silent, my mind running a million miles per minute. Taking the clothes slung over my arm, I head to the till and pay for them, not bothering to try them on first. I just need to get out of this store and away from the walls that feel as though they’re closing in on me.

Once out on the street again, I suck in my first full breath in minutes. Daisy’s hand landing on my shoulder startles me. “Bella, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

I shake my head, swallowing down the emotions threatening to spill. “No. It’s fine. You’re right.”

She steps closer. “No. I’m not right. I shouldn’t have said that. You aren’t like those other girls he’s been with. Do you really think he’d risk his friendship by getting involved with you if it was temporary?”

I absorb her words, allowing the rationality in them to soak into my bones and calm the storm raging inside of me.

Because, no, I don’t think he would.

Fuck, this is all too much too fast.

I’ve been sleeping with the man for a week for goodness' sake.

With a resigned sigh, I give my friend a closed lipped smile. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

And then I pull out my phone and let my anger take over as I fire off a text that willlikely change everything.

CHAPTER 31

NOAH

Acar door closes beyond the doors of the barn, and I lift my head as Killian saunters in dressed in his work gear, his heavy boots hitting the ground with such force I’m surprised the foundations aren’t shaking.

“Something you want to tell me?” he asks, not giving me a chance to even greet him.

My brows dip, pulse quickening as he crosses his arms over his chest, his phone held in one hand.

I open my mouth and close it again quickly, not sure if this is a trick question or not. “Uhhh…”

Without a word, he holds his phone up in front of my face, a text thread open on the screen.

Isabella:Justin was fucking his secretary. I’ve been staying with Noah. Hope this doesn’t go against his *promise*.

My eyes snap up to his and I don’t need to look into a mirror to know I look guilty as fuck. I run a hand through the scruff on my jaw and groan.

“Wanna tell me how long my sister has been staying with you and why I’m only just hearing about it?” His tone is accusatory and pissed as hell. It irks me.

I cross my own arms, matching his stance. “She’s been living with me for almost two months and you’re only just hearing about it because she’s only just telling you.”

Grey eyes, so much like his sisters, narrow at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I shake my head once. “Not my story to tell, man.”

“She’s my sister, I deserve to know.” He grits out.

“I know who she is, Killian. But she asked me not to tell you, and I chose to respect her wishes.”