My stomach hit the floor.
Our gazes locked onto each other. His deep blue eyes dissolving my lighter ones. Boring into me as he studies my reaction.
Mum never said that Noah knew, or any of them for that fact. I grew up believing that he thought they just left and went separate ways.
My mouth gaped open, still in shock, I didn't even spare a glance at Liam. I already know what expression he held.
'Sierra, when both parents leave, along with your little sister and you're left with 4 younger brothers, you don't seriously expect that I just accepted it and moved on, did you?' he said with his voice flat and void of emotion.
He's right. How could I have thought that he was oblivious to all that happened, well at least on Father's side because even though he claims to know it all, I am the only one that Mother told her story to.
I gulp, preparing myself to reply. 'How long?' My face fell to an almost sympathetic look but his flat and frozen.
'I've known since I was 19.' A slight pause before he continued '6 years Sierra. I've known why he left but ever since you left, I haven't been able to find you, until now. And clearly you came with an agenda' he softened his look, same with his voice, both full of...sadness?
I placed my warm hand on his, which still rested on my shoulder. 'Noah, nobody could find us, don't beat yourself up about it, I'm here now.' I said quietly, sending a smile.
He immediately tensed and scoffed, 'nobody huh? Liam damn could'
He let go of my shoulder and turned sternly toward Liam, gritting his teeth.
'NOAH' I shouted, making both of them snap their gaze to me.
Annoyed from his lack of better judgement, I bury my face amongst my hands, accidentally smearing my mascara a tad.
I sighed annoyed, 'You have no idea. NONE. Okay? Stop pretending you do because you don't! I grew up without you guys, Mum kept it that way for your safety and mine! She told me stories about you all the time once I found out. She never stopped loving you.' I took a deep breath.
'Father is the one to blame for everything, he ruined this family, he deserves to feel that pain! So stop fucking hating Liam for anything because he looked after me when you guys couldn't! He is family! He did that for you, and for me. I know it may not seem like that but I don't know how I would be right now if it wasn't for him.' Both of them stood quietly listening to my monologue while I looked like a mess blurting out words left and right.
'Yes, we shouldn't have lied but I had my priorities at order and Father was one, Noah I ju-' I held back my tears. The atmosphere felt so tense and here I was spilling out my emotions and backstory. However, he slowly raised his hand for me to stop and his head fell, turning away from me.
Completely mind blanked from it all, I don't even remember half of what I just poured out but I think that broke a few "rules"...
'Noah, I tried to do what was best for her' Liam interjected, giving me a nod to reassure me. Because as always, Liam knows these things, he knows when I'm past my breaking point, he knows when I regret something or when I overthink. Always there, reassuring me.
I noticed Noah's clenched fist becoming tighter and tighter, blood seeping through.
'Don't speak to me about Mothers love, Sierra, we have very different experiences from her .' he seethed, seemingly irritated. 'Liam may be your family but he is not mine.' I've never heard him speak with such coldness and disgust.
'Sierra, you come out here parading his defence but not once were you there throughout the number of years that I had spent every waking minute trying to find you, days on end without sleep while looking after 4 younger brothers and rebuilding a mafia. And through it all, he stood beside me, giving me false hope.' his low voice laced with true sadness, and successfully finishing his speech by locking eyes with Liam.
I glance down at the floor...guilty maybe? For trying to make him seem colder and without valid reasoning but in actual fact, it was much different to what I imagined.
'I'm sorry' Liam mumbled, running his hand through his hair.
Noah sneered in response 'I couldn't give a shit for your apologies Liam.'
A silence passed, but soon enough, Noah returned to his usual annoyed state, 'And for Father, that is my business for what will happen, not yours' he ordered.
A loud huff escaped, 'Noah what the hell?'
He lowered his eyes to meet mine, 'I will deal with tonight accordingly, you will not be involved and neither will him' he smirked pointing at Liam.
'I will be' I raised my voice higher than before. 'I have been waiting for ages and you're not taking this from me, Noah. For god sake...he killed Mum, our mum, so I will not sit by and watch' my voice low and almost similar to his.
'I'm telling you now Sierra, you will not. I will handle it and your little friends' he growled back, daring me to answer back.
He really knows how to piss me off.
'N-' before I could finish, in waltz Reid and Tyler much to Noah's dismay.
'SIERRA THERE IS NO GODDAMN WAY THAT YOU WILL BE GOING TONIGHT' Reid bellowed, stomping into the centre of Noah's office. Obviously very much caught up by eavesdropping outside.
'Reid, I'm sorting it out' Noah was certainly not happy with their intrusion. As he sent them a scolding look.
'You knew all that time?' Tyler immediately questions Liam. I could see that he so badly hoped it wasn't true.
'Yes but tyl-' he admitted, gazing at the floor.
'And you claim to keep her safe yet were willing to throw her into this world and potentially get herself killed because of revenge' Tyler muttered back furiously.
'Tyler I have a brain of my own! I'm in control of my actions and know what I'm doing!' I interrupted, aggressively explaining to him that I don't need some man to defend me and that I didn't expect my plan to be full of unicorns and rainbows.
Tyler simply scoffed in disbelief, 'Sierra have you even held a gun?'
'That's not the issue Tyler. It's straightforward, I am not going to put her life at risk simply for revenge' he glances at me, 'you're too important to me and I'm not losing you again.' Noah said without raising his voice.
'I'm not a porcelain doll!' I stand there, completely sick of their inability to believe I'm capable of anything remotely dangerous.
'I don't care Sierra, this is bigger than what you think' Reid added, pacing the room.
I rolled my eyes.
The room is filled with intensity. My brothers arguing with each other about everything while Liam and I stand still, sending each other a short smile.
'Besides all that Noah, you never told me Father is in the Italian mafia' Tyler mumbled, loud enough for me to hear and I could clearly sense that he feels betrayed.
'Not here' Noah responded lightning fast, I would've thought after we laid all our cards on the table, he wouldn't need to have such privacy for something I already knew.
I grew tired of standing around waiting for them to finish arguing in their barely audible conversation.
'Go on Noah, tell em, or I will' a smirk formed on my face, tilting my head to the side.
Hey lovely readers!!
Thank you for waiting for this update, I know it took ages! I finally finished my 2 big assignments so I'm enjoying the break before school gives me another one!
I hope you like this chapter. Hope you're having a good day/night :) Also I just wanna say...this book hit 100k reads..um whaaaat..craaazy..let's just say I'm thrilled!!
I remember the first time it hit 1k and I danced around my room lol. Thank you to everyone that reads/votes/comments/follows and adds to reading list, it's truly amazing to me and I really appreciate it!
Comment/Vote ❤️
Anna 😊