7.

Chapter Seven: Crossroads

## NOAH'S POV

The email arrived on a Tuesday.

*Hey stranger,

Haven't heard from you in a while. I'm in town next week for a conference. Coffee? For old times' sake.

- James*

Noah stared at his ex's name until the letters blurred. His finger hovered over the delete button, but something stopped him. Maybe it was the growing claustrophobia of the past few months. Maybe it was the need to prove-to himself more than anyone-that he wasn't as trapped as he felt.

Before he could second-guess himself, he typed back:

*Coffee sounds good.*

The response was immediate:

*Great! Thursday at The Blue Door? 4pm?*

Noah agreed, closed his laptop, and tried to ignore the way his hands shook slightly. It was just coffee. Just an old friend.

So why did it feel like crossing a line?

## KIERAN'S POV

Something was wrong.

Noah was distracted during class, his usual sharp focus dulled. His smiles were quicker, more genuine. Like a weight had lifted.

Like he felt free.

Kieran watched from his usual seat, noting every subtle change. The way Noah's phone kept drawing his attention. The slight spring in his step.

The hope in his eyes.

Unacceptable.

A quick text to his contact in the school office confirmed his suspicions: Noah's email had received a message from James Anderson.

The ex.

Kieran's fingers tightened on his pen until it cracked.

## NOAH'S POV

Thursday came too quickly.

Noah arrived at The Blue Door early, choosing a table near the window. The familiarity of the café-the scent of coffee, the quiet murmur of conversation-helped steady his nerves.

"Noah?"

He looked up. James stood there, exactly as he remembered-kind eyes, gentle smile, safe. Normal.

"James." Noah stood, accepting a brief hug. "It's good to see you."

They fell into easy conversation, catching up on careers and mutual friends. For the first time in months, Noah felt like himself again. No watching eyes. No hidden meanings. Just... normal.

Until his phone buzzed.

*Unknown Number: I don't like sharing what's mine.*

Noah's hand jerked, spilling his coffee.

"You okay?" James reached over with a napkin, helping clean up the spill. "You seem jumpy."

"I'm fine. Just..."

Another buzz.

*Unknown Number: Does he know he's touching what belongs to me?*

Noah's breath caught.

"Noah?" James's voice was concerned now. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just..." Noah stood abruptly. "I should go."

"Wait." James caught his wrist. "Something's not right. Talk to me. Is someone bothering you?"

*Unknown Number: Three seconds to let go of him.*

Noah yanked his hand away. "I have to go. I'm sorry. This was a mistake."

He hurried out, leaving James calling after him. The cool air hit his face as he burst onto the sidewalk, gulping in deep breaths.

His phone buzzed again.

*Unknown Number: Smart choice, angel. Come to the park. We need to talk.*

Noah knew he should ignore it. Go home. Call the police.

Instead, he turned toward the park.

## KIERAN'S POV

Kieran was waiting on their bench-the one where he'd first noticed Noah during his morning runs, months ago.

Noah approached slowly, like a deer sensing a predator.

Beautiful.

"Sit," Kieran said softly.

Noah sat.

"Did you think I wouldn't know?" Kieran's voice remained gentle. "That I wouldn't see?"

"It was just coffee."

"It was a test." Kieran turned to face him. "You wanted to see if you could break free."

Noah's silence was answer enough.

"Here's what's going to happen," Kieran continued. "You're going to text James. Tell him you can't see him again. That you're involved with someone."

"I'm not-"

"Aren't you?" Kieran's hand found Noah's, fingers intertwining. "Look me in the eyes and tell me this isn't exactly where you're meant to be."

Noah tried to pull away. Kieran held firm.

"I've been patient," he murmured. "I've given you time to accept this. But my patience has limits, angel."

"What do you want from me?" Noah's voice cracked.

"Everything." Kieran reached up, brushing a thumb across Noah's cheek. "And I'm done waiting."

## NOAH'S POV

That night, Noah stared at his phone for hours.

Finally, he typed:

*James - I'm sorry about today. I can't see you again. I'm involved with someone.*

The response came quickly:

*James: Are you safe? Do you need help?*

Noah's fingers shook as he typed:

*I'm fine. Please don't contact me again.*

He set down his phone.

Picked up the new one that had been delivered to his door an hour ago.

One message waited:

*Good boy. Sweet dreams, angel.*

Noah curled up in bed, both phones on his nightstand. One representing safety, normalcy, everything he should want.

The other...

Everything he did want.

He reached out.

And turned off the old phone.....

---

The Breaking Point

NOAH’S POV

The text came late at night.

James: I don’t believe you.

Noah’s stomach twisted as he stared at the message.

James: I know you, Noah. You’re scared. Tell me the truth—are you safe?

Noah hesitated. His fingers trembled over the keyboard.

Safe?

What did that even mean anymore?

Kieran hadn’t hurt him, not really. He hadn’t laid a hand on him in anger. Hadn’t done anything he couldn’t talk his way out of. But he’d also made it impossible to breathe without feeling his presence, impossible to exist without knowing that Kieran was always watching, always waiting.

And yet…

James: Meet me tomorrow. Same café. Please.

Noah knew he shouldn’t.

But a part of him—the part that still clung to the before—wanted to.

---

KIERAN’S POV

He knew.

The moment Noah walked into the classroom, looking guilty. The moment his phone buzzed, and his fingers twitched before silencing the notification.

Kieran’s stomach curled with fury.

Noah had lied.

Noah had gone behind his back.

And Kieran wouldn’t allow it.

---

NOAH’S POV

James was already waiting when Noah arrived at The Blue Door.

“Noah,” he breathed, relief in his eyes.

Noah barely had a chance to sit before James reached across the table and took his hand. His grip was warm, steady—familiar.

“Noah, look at me,” he said softly. “I know something’s wrong.”

“I—” Noah swallowed, shaking his head. “I shouldn’t have come.”

James’s fingers tightened. “Is he hurting you?”

Before Noah could answer, a cold shiver ran down his spine.

That feeling.

That suffocating, inescapable presence.

A shadow fell over the table.

James looked up. “Can I—”

Kieran slammed his hand down, knocking over the coffee.

James flinched. “What the hell?”

Noah’s breath caught. Kieran’s eyes—dark, wild—weren’t on him. They were locked on James.

Oh, no.

Kieran reached forward, gripping James’s wrist like a vice.

“You touched what doesn’t belong to you.”

“Kieran, stop,” Noah whispered.

James yanked his hand back. “Who the hell are you?”

Kieran’s expression didn’t change. His voice was soft, almost eerily calm.

“The last person you’ll ever touch him in front of.”

Noah barely had time to react before Kieran moved.

One second, he was standing there.

The next, James was slammed against the wall.

The café erupted in shocked gasps.

James choked, struggling against Kieran’s grip. “You’re insane—”

Kieran leaned in, voice low and venomous.

“You’re still breathing because he asked me to stop.”

Noah grabbed Kieran’s arm. “Please.”

For a second, Kieran didn’t move.

Then—slowly, deliberately—he let James go.

James staggered back, coughing. “You need help,” he spat.

Kieran smiled. Cold. Unbothered. Deadly.

“Noah,” James turned, pleading. “You don’t have to—”

“Leave,” Kieran murmured.

And for the first time, James looked at Noah. Really looked at him.

Saw the way his hands trembled. Saw the way his lips parted—but no words came out.

Saw the truth.

“Noah…” His voice was devastated.

Noah looked away.

James exhaled shakily. “I’ll be here if you need me.”

And then he left.

Noah barely had a second to breathe before Kieran’s fingers gripped his chin, forcing him to look up.

“Tell me,” Kieran murmured, eyes burning into him. “Tell me why you disobeyed me.”

Noah swallowed hard. “I—I needed to—”

Kieran’s grip tightened. “Wrong answer, angel.”

A shiver ran through Noah’s body.

“I should remind you what happens when you test me.”

The warning sent a dangerous thrill through Noah’s veins.

Because he knew.

Kieran always kept his promises.

---

End of Chapter.