Chapter 128
Nora's POV
Connor knelt in front of me on the open stretch of dock, his head bowed, his body still trembling. Dirt and sweat streaked his face, and his voice came out hoarse and broken.
"Nora... Ms. Grey... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have... I was out of line. I won't bother you again. I swear."
I stood a few feet away, my arms crossed, staring down at him. I didn't speak right away. Part of me wanted to see him squirm a little longer under the weight of my silence.
Finally, I nodded. "I accept your apology. But stay away from me from now on."
His shoulders sagged with relief, and he scrambled to his feet, casting one last fearful glance toward Julian before being escorted away by security.
I watched him go, then turned to find Julian watching me with concern in his eyes.
I moved closer.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
He turned to face me, and I watched the anger in his expression soften—just a little.
"You don't need to thank me," he said. "No one gets to treat you like that. Not while I'm around."
My lips curved into a faint smile, warmth spreading through my chest despite everything.
"Let's go home."
---
The SUV idled at the entrance to RiverView Community, engine humming softly in the quiet evening.
I don't want to get out of this car.
I gripped the seatbelt, thumb rubbing against the fabric.
Julian leaned closer, and I felt the brush of his breath against my temple before his lips pressed there—gentle, lingering. "So I'll pick you up for work tomorrow?"
"Okay." My voice came out quieter than I intended.
He pulled back just enough to look at me. A smile tugged at his mouth, but it didn't reach his eyes. "How am I supposed to let you go now?"
I tried for levity, lightly pushing at his shoulder. "My aunt's waiting for me."
"I know." But he didn't move. "Doesn't make it easier."
Shit. My heart was doing something erratic in my chest. I forced myself to unbuckle the seatbelt, reaching for the door handle.
"I should go."
His hand tightened briefly on my wrist, then released. "Text me when you're settled?"
"Of course."
I grabbed my bag from the backseat and climbed out.
I waved, forced a smile, and turned toward the building. Behind me, the SUV's engine continued its low rumble, and I knew without looking that he was still watching. Only when I reached the lobby doors did I hear him finally drive away.
---
The moment I stepped inside, the smell of food hit me—comforting and warm. My stomach growled, and I dropped my bag by the door, already moving toward the kitchen.
"Marianne?"
"In here!" Her voice floated out, warm and familiar, and I found her at the stove, stirring a pot of vegetable soup. She looked up as I entered, her face breaking into a smile. "There you are. I was starting to think you'd gotten lost."
I crossed to her and wrapped my arms around her waist from behind, resting my chin on her shoulder. "I missed you."
"Clearly not enough to call more often." But her tone was fond, and she patted my hand before turning to face me. Her gaze swept over me, assessing. "You look better. More rested."
"The trip was good for me."
"I'm glad." She reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, her expression softening. "You've been through so much. It's good to see some color back in your cheeks."
"I brought you something." I pulled the small box of handmade chocolates from my bag, the ones Julian and I had picked up at a shop on the island. "These are local specialties."
Marianne took the box, her eyes lighting up. "You spoil me." She opened it, inhaling the rich cocoa scent, then glanced at me with a knowing look. "So. Who'd you go with?"
My heart stuttered. "What?"
"The trip. You said it was just you, but..." She tilted her head, studying me with that unnerving maternal intuition. "You seem different. Happier."
Shit. "It was just me," I lied, too quickly. "I needed some time alone to clear my head."
She didn't press, but I saw the flicker of doubt in her eyes. "Well, I'm glad you're back. Go wash up—dinner's almost ready. Lucas should be home soon."
I nodded, grateful for the escape, and headed toward the bathroom.
---
By the time I returned to the dining room, Gareth had emerged from his room and taken his usual seat at the table. He greeted me, then his attention had already drifted back to the evening news playing on the TV in the corner.
Marianne set down a platter of roasted chicken, golden and fragrant, alongside bowls of mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. My mouth watered. "This looks amazing."
"Sit, sit." She waved me into a chair, then glanced toward the hallway. "Lucas texted—he'll be late."
We ate in companionable quiet for a while, Marianne asking about my trip and me deflecting with carefully edited highlights. I left out the parts about Julian.
Then the front door opened.
"Sorry I'm late!" Lucas called out.
I almost dropped my fork.
His face was bruised along the jawline, with faint scrapes on his cheek. He looked like he'd gone three rounds with a brick wall.
"Lucas, what happened to your face?" I asked in surprise.
"It's nothing." He waved it off. "I tripped on the stairs at work a few days ago. Just clumsy."
Bullshit. I stared at him, my mind racing. Those bruises weren't from a fall. "Lucas—"
"I'm fine, Nora." He cut me off, his tone firm, and reached for a plate.
I bit my tongue. Whatever had happened, he clearly didn't want to talk about it.
Lucas ate in silence for a few minutes, then glanced up at me. "Hey, Nora. What's your relationship with Sterling?"
My stomach dropped. "What?"
"He helped me land a new job. Driver assistant at the Inspector General's office. I start next week."
Gareth's fork clattered against his plate. "The Federal Inspector General's office?"
Lucas nodded, grinning now. "I know, right? It's a huge step up from maintenance work. Better benefits. He must have a pretty high position in the department."
Marianne's gaze flicked to me.
"My former supervisor."