Chapter Seven

"A freaking bomb!"

"Yes, sir," Pedro nodded.

Noah stared at the bomb inside the box and sighed. No wonder he had seen a haunted look in Pedro's eyes. He had once served in the army, but he was dismissed after his team was blown up before him.

Being the only survivor, he was sent away to recover, and Pedro remained in therapy till Noah met him and they became friends and his trusted bodyguard.

"It could be a prank because it's not active," he said to ease the pain in Pedro's eyes.

Pedro eyed him curiously. "Even if it's not active I suppose you're going to let it stay here till you confirm, right?"

Noah spared a small smile that turned into a shudder at the thought of Ava walking into this room and seeing a bomb.

This was getting more complicated by the second and worrying about Ava isn't going to help the situation.

"I need you to…" He was interrupted by the loud ringtone of his phone. He glanced at the unfamiliar number displayed on the screen of his phone and frowned.

He tapped the screen of the phone, and a programmed voice filled his ear.

"Happy early birthday, Noah. Kaboom!"

The deafening sound and the piercing scream he heard will continually haunt his dreams as the ugly cackle on the phone continued.

"It's an explosion, sir!" Pedro exclaimed, gasping for breath.

The ringing filled Noah's ears as he raced outside to see his car blown up to bits.

"Pedro, check the main house!" He yelled.

A strangled cry from behind him got his attention and he whirled around to see Pedro clawing the ground and gasping for breath, a haunted look in his eyes.

"Deep breath, Pedro!" He cried, "You're in Colorado not in Sicily, I have to check up on the house please pull yourself together.

Pedro shook his head and shut his eyes, wincing slightly. "Go, I'll be fine. I will get rid of this one."

Noah gave him a grateful smile and raced towards the main house where everyone was gathered outside.

"Why are you all outside when an explosion just occurred!" He thundered.

Don Faustino narrowed his eyes on him. "What is going on, boy?"

Before Noah could reply, his phone rang again, and it was another unfamiliar number.

"Just go inside, grandpa. I'll be with y'all shortly," he pleaded, his eyes landing on Ava who looked worried…not scared, he noted.

When his family members were successfully inside away from hidden explosives, he hoped, he finally picked up the call.

"I hope you like my gift," the programmed voice stated.

He clenched his fist in anger as he gritted his teeth.

"Whoever thinks it's funny to play these pranks on me and my family when I get my hands on you, I'll rip you apart!"

"You're gonna have to catch me first, little Noah," a masculine voice said over the phone and Noah felt a sense of Déjà vu as he clutched his phone.

"What do you want?"

"What you want, Noah. Time is ticking," he replied, and the line went dead.

Noah felt his anger rise to the surface as he stared at his phone. What kind of cryptic message was he saying? How was he supposed to understand that?

The more thoughts raced through his mind, the more disturbed he became.

"Noah."

He glanced up to see Pedro approaching.

"I got rid of the other bomb considering it's fake."

Noah nodded.

"Are you going to tell your grandpa?"

Noah shook his head. "I don't want to worry them but I'm more concerned about who planted the bomb in my car."

Pedro shrugged. "It's not Ace because he was in the car when the bomb exploded."

Noah felt his heart clench in pain then he swallowed. "Looks like we need a new driver."

"Whoever is doing this knows your every movement," Pedro stated.

Noah nodded. "Look around the house, don't involve the police. I need to explain things to my family, and also prepare another car. I can't keep staying here and putting everyone in danger."

Without a second glance, Noah strode into the house the feeling of loss weighing heavily over him.

***

"What is going on?"

Noah stared at the worried faces of his family members and ran a hand through his tousled hair.

"Don't worry about it, Grandpa. I just need to leave here, and you all will be safe," Noah replied.

"No one is leaving!" Faustino bellowed, "Now tell me what the hell is going on here?"

Noah sighed. He knew his grandfather wouldn't let this slide, but he couldn't tell him anything when he was clueless as to what was going on.

"Noah?" Ava prompted.

He glanced at her lavender-green eyes and winced when he saw a hint of fear in them. He didn't want to make her scared else their four years apart would be pointless.

"I don't know what is going on," he finally replied.

Dante raised a brow at him. "But you just stated that you are the target of whoever bombed your car."

"Yes, because it's my car and I've been receiving a lot of threatening notes and calls," he explained.

Chloe frowned. "This doesn't make any sense. Who would dare to threaten Noah Faustino, the deadliest mafia Don?"

Noah chuckled darkly. "That's what I intend to find out."

"Enough!" Natalie held up her hand, clutching her stomach, "Any more discussion on this mafia issue and I'll have my baby. I'm sure grandpa can get some of his men to look into this case."

"Oh, I don't want to bother—"

"That's an excellent idea, Nat," Faustino nodded, cutting Noah off.

"Good. Now, everyone let's eat and prepare for Noah's birthday," Natalie ordered in a voice that signified the discussion was over.

Muttering profanities under his breath, Noah was whisked away to the dining table and forced to sit beside Ava.

Could his day not get any worse? He had real issues, but his family was too busy trying to play matchmaker they wouldn't even give him a moment to…

"Are you alright?"

Noah groaned at the soft voice interrupting his thoughts. Her feather-like touch caressed his knuckles, and he felt the flutter in his chest again.

"I'm fine," he replied, glancing at her only to get lost in those beautiful eyes. They were filled with concern and worry for him.

A strand of her hair covered a part of her face and he reached out to tuck it in. His hand brushed her cheek and he looked away from her, breaking the trance his heart was about to enter.

"Let's eat," he said, clearing his throat nervously.

He toyed with the food, his mind drifting to who could have threatened him and how his entire family's life was in danger all because of him.

"Ease up, boy," his grandfather's gruff voice interrupted his train of thoughts…

Noah frowned. "I don't think that's possible without a psycho running around."

"Noah!" Natalie warned, raising a brow at him.

He sighed then nodded his head in defeat. "Okay, I promise to enjoy my birthday weekend but once it's all over no one's gonna stop me from destroying that motherfucker!"

"Deep breath, darling. Here, drink up," Chloe giggled pushing a glass of chilled wine towards him.

He took a sip and relaxed at the soothing feeling he got from the taste of the wine. It tasted of juicy grapes, strawberries, and happiness.

Funny, when did a drink start tasting happy or when did one start getting the taste of happiness. Isn't that a feeling?

Hmm, he wasn't going to waste his happy moment thinking about that, he mused.

"How do you feel now, brother?" Chloe asked, still giggling.

"Happy!" He exclaimed, taking a bite of his food.

Chloe shared a look with Natalie, and they giggled. He thought that look was suspicious, and it reminded him of something but what? It seemed to be in the far end of his mind.

He'd rather be happy than spend his time thinking.

Now, where did that thought come from? He wondered. It felt like there was another being—a free-spirited happy creature occupying his mind.

He should be thinking of something, but he didn’t know what.

"Noah?"

He looked up and glanced at Ava.

"You zoned off," she stated.

"Did I ever tell you that you have the most beautiful eyes ever?"

Hmm, where did that come from? He wondered.

The rose color on her cheeks had his heart doing a little flip.

Ew! When did he turn so girly?

"Are you sure you're alright, Noah?" Ava asked.

He frowned, even the happy bubble seemed to lessen a little.

"You don't like my compliments?"

He noticed the uneasy look that passed through Chloe and Natalie.

"Okay, spill!" He growled at them.

"You look a little pale, son. I think you should take a rest," his grandpa said.

He knew something was wrong, but he couldn't place it because of the severe headache he got. Grudgingly, he stood up and headed to his bedroom wishing Ava would join him.

Shit! Where did that thought come from? It must have been that little happy bubble inside him, he concluded.

He relaxed on the bed, massaging his throbbing temples when the door was yanked open and Ava came inside, fuming.

He winked at her. "Hey, darling."

Where did that come from? He wondered.

"Get yourself together, Noah!" She growled.

"I'd rather have you get yourself into this bed," he drawled.

He was rewarded with a startling gasp when he grasped her wrist and yanked her into the bed.

"Isn't this what you've always wanted?" He murmured, caressing her back.

Ava wiggled free from him. "Not with you like this."

"Shh!" He placed a finger on her lips, caressing it. He could feel her warm breath fan his cheeks as he listened to her heart racing.

A smile tugged at his lips as he leaned in to kiss her, a kiss that never came instead he felt something cold—and that wasn't the feel of her lips on his.