“Where are we going?” I asked as the elevator began its descent.
“Force, Charlotte.”
“No, I mean, why are we going to the garage?”
“I’ll be driving tonight.”
“You drive?”
He glanced at me, amused. “Yes, Charlotte, I drive. I am a man of many talents.”
The doors opened into a small parking garage, with just enough spaces for ten or so cars. Most of them were taken up with sedans and SUVs, but at the very end was a sleek black sports car.
Noah came around and opened the passenger side door for me, and I slid into the bucket seat, inhaling the scent of leather and extravagance.
“Fancy,” I said as he settled into the driver’s seat.
“Put your seatbelt on.”
I slid my belt over my chest and buckled it.
Noah pulled out of the space and guided the car out onto the streets of Manhattan. Driving in the city was insane at any time of day, but Noah drove exactly like he lived – controlled and unflappable. He seemed oblivious to the honk of horns and the swerve of taxis.
“Are you comfortable?” he asked.
“What?”
“Are you cold?” He indicated the temperature control on the dashboard.
I shook my head. “No. I’m fine.”
The truth was, I wasn’t fine. I was trying to keep my body from shivering and my teeth from chattering. I wasn’t physically cold – the reactions were physical manifestations of stress. My stomach rolled on itself, twisting into a figure eight and a jumpy feeling coursed through me, causing my leg to jitter.
Noah glanced at me and frowned, so I forced myself to stay still.
My phone vibrated in my bag, and Noah’s hands tightened on the wheel as I pulled it out and checked the screen.
“Who is it?” he demanded.
“It’s Julia,” I said, sending the call to voicemail. “She’s probably wondering where I am.”
“Have you told her you’re moving out?”
“No. Actually, the last time I talked to her I told her I was going to be around more.”
His hands tightened again, his knuckles turning white. “Please tell her you’re moving out, Charlotte. Let me know what kind of financial implications there will be, and I’ll take care of it.”
My phone buzzed with a text before I could answer him.
Julia.
Charlotte, r u okay?? There was a reporter outside our apartment just now looking for you! Because of Noah?? Cll me.
I breathed out. “There was a reporter outside of my building,” I said.
Noah nodded, unruffled. “That’s to be expected.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “It’s only going to get worse.”
I typed a text back to Julia, my hands shaking.
Is he still there? U ok?
I’m fine. He left when he realized you weren’t here. But I’m worried about u.
I’m okay. I’m with Noah. I’ll cll you in the morning and explain.
I started to shut my phone off before putting it back in my bag, but Noah shook his head.
“No. Phone on at all times.”
I nodded, setting Julia’s texts to Do Not Disturb. I would deal with her in the morning.
When we pulled up in front of Force, Noah pulled into the space right in front of the club.
“How do you do that?” I asked in wonder.
“How do I do what?” He shifted the car into park.
“Always get a space right in front of wherever you’re going.”
“Money.”
“What?”
“Money can buy you whatever you want, Charlotte. Anything you’ve heard to the contrary is false.”
He sounded so sure of himself, and I wondered if he was thinking about how he was going to make sure he stayed out of jail. He seemed to think that with enough lawyers and connections and cash he could finagle his way out of anything.
And maybe he was right.
But I wasn’t going to take that chance.
I stayed in the car as Noah got out, taking a moment to myself for a deep breath and an effort at calming my pounding heart. I’d thought the fact that I’d been to Force before would perhaps make being back here a little easier. But the thought of going inside was just as intimidating as ever.
Noah opened my car door, and I took his hand as he helped me onto the sidewalk.
“You’re sure you want to do this?” he asked. “It’s not too late to just call the police.”
“No.” I shook my head. Now that I was here, my resolve was weakening, but not enough for me to call the whole thing off. The street was deserted, and I marveled at the fact that there were so many people in the club and yet you couldn’t see anyone coming or going.
There was no sign of the things that were happening in there.