Nolan's Evolution (26 page)

"Answer please," Nolan growled. He reluctantly turned toward her to avoid a sneak attack. He crossed his arms before him.

Her breath caught and her smile widened. "Definition of perfection." She did reach toward him, wanting to touch the warm skin of his chest.

Nolan caught her wrists turning her about and trapping it and her arm behind her back.

She squeaked out a laugh not completely opposed to his action.

"What do you want?" He barked into her ear.

"You silly," she teased. She knew she is playing with fire.

"Stop it, Elenora and answer me straight or you will be thrown out that door or out the window… I haven't decided yet."

Elenora liked the hard edge of his voice. "I was just visiting my grandfather and was hoping to see my brother. You wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you?"

Nolan shoved her way. "I didn't ask why you are here in this house. I asked why you were in my room!"

She turned around with a pretty pout on her lips. "I was just making a little small talk. And I stopped into your room because I couldn't find you anywhere else. I even went into that nasty alligator room!" She made a face. "I wanted to find you and personally tell you that Raina is okay."

"You told me that on the phone." Nolan silver eyes were full of rage. He did not have time for her petty little games.

Elenora's dark eyes softened and she looked down at her hands. "Okay, so I just wanted to see you. Can you blame me?"

Nolan knew she was deflecting and had to roll his eyes. "You know this isn't going to work! You and I are not going to bond over this. And I know you're using this opportunity to try your hand with me. You know things aren’t going to change."

The dark eyes narrowed now. "I don't have a motive to steal you away. I just want to be around you, Nolan. Just because you aren’t mine, doesn't change my feelings for you. I hate that little mortal." She scowled and crossed her arms. "I would probably not hate her so much if she wasn't yours." She looked as though that confession had cost her a lot. "I always thought her little sweetness act was a put on, but it isn't," her voice softened at the end of the sentence. "I get it okay? She's the real thing."

"Stop trying to blow smoke up my ass, Elenora!"

Her mouth dropped open. "But I'm telling you the truth! Not saying I like her and I'm not lying to you. I'm just saying… I get it. I have no dreams of you falling all over yourself for me. I just wish that things were a bit friendlier between the two of us."

She stepped toward him and he stepped away. "Why don't you call me Elly anymore? I miss that. We used to be so much closer Nolan. I know the whole immortalizing you was a bad move, but after you got over it a bit you can at least stand my presence! Then she came along and things change."

Nolan shook his head. "We were never warm and cuddly." His voice was low with controlled anger.

"But you still called me Elly," she said softly like a little girl.

Nolan frowned. "It was a habit. It was not endearments. Raina hated when I did so. I changed for her."

"More reason for me to hate her? My nickname was just another thing she took for me. She took you, she took Thanatos, and she even took my brother!"

Nolan gave a snort. "Oh, so the reason Jonathan can't stand you is Raina? I don't think so. That issue goes well before Raina was a twinkle in her daddy's eyes."

Elenora pouted, crossing her arms. "He likes her more than he does his own sister."

"Imagine that!" Nolan reached into his drawer and pulled out his running shorts. He pulled them on and quickly reached for his tank top. He shoved his head and arms through it. It felt much better to be covered up in front of the she devil.

Elenora watched him with admiration. Even covered up he was something beautiful.

"I don't see that there's much more for you and I to talk about so you can leave now," he muttered.

"Can I come run with you?" She watched him pull on his socks and shoes. She could watch him do anything and it still would be the most beautiful sight she'd ever seen.

Nolan brush past her, reaching for his phone. He yanked back when she grabbed his arm but she held fast.

"Spend a little time with me, Nolan." Her voice was low and threatening. "It would bode well for Raina if you were to treat me well."

Nolan’s silvers darkened with anger. "Are you threatening me?"

She ran her hand up the well-muscled arms she felt them tense. Her hands brushed over the fabric of his tank, enjoying the broad chest beneath her fingers. "I'm just saying, Raina could be protected from so much if I were to be around her. But I need incentives to be around her." She lifted her face to him. "Just a little kiss, Nolan. This is all I ask. Don't you remember our first kiss?"

"It was also our last," he growled. He hadn't moved. He was waiting on her the she devil. He didn't know what her motives might be but he wasn't going to push her away just yet.

"I remember it. It was the best kiss I ever had. I just want to experience it one more time. I can make your life and Raina’s so much easier if you just comply." Her lovely eyes implored him. "I'm sure Raina would understand."

Nolan steeled himself. He would never deny the beauty that Elenora held with the sensual way that she drew people around her in. He felt it, that draw, and if he were any other man he would've found it more than difficult to resist.

She bunched her fingers in the fabric of the shirt and pulled him closer.

Nolan drew in a breath, allowing his head to tilt. He watched her with curiosity wondering how long she would try to play this out.

Elenora eyes lit with excitement. She took his lack of a fight as encouragement. She wrapped her arms round his neck, sighing when his hands rested at her waist. "Nolan," she whispered softly lifting her face and closing her eyes.

Nolan dipped his head down and chuckled softly. He allowed just the touch of his cheek against hers and felt her growing excitement. His lips drew near her ear and she trembled.

"Get the hell out of my room," he growled.

Her eyes snapped open as he pushed her away. She gave a gasp of indignation. "You'll pay for that, Nolan Gregor," she screeched. She spun about and ran from the room.

Nolan couldn't prevent the smile of happiness that spread across his face. He felt pretty good about himself right about now.

He waited only a moment and then he followed her out slipping his phone into his pocket.

He was soon outside. The Florida evening was perfect for a run. The stars above were showing and with his immortal sight he didn't even need the lights along the track.

He started out at a steady pace. Running had always been therapeutic for him and he allowed his mind to clear and his body to take over. He loved this track and vowed to make one for himself and his own residence after all this madness was over. If this madness was ever over.

His nerves were strung high. He battered the ground with every pounding step.

When the rhythm of his run began to calm him, he allowed his mind time to think. He wasn't quite sure what his next step was to be. But he wanted to be prepared when that next step made itself known. He needed to be ahead of the game, ready to leave at any moment.

His eyes grazed the perimeter of the impressive fencing that bordered the entire property. There was not a weak spot he had been able to find. And had he looked! Past three days he had looked for some route of escape. Not just the area around the track, but the front, and the sides. The only way out was through the front gate.

He knew he wasn’t a prisoner in every way. Yes, he had to remain for the training, but he and Michael were given leave to go to town for shopping. They just had to return at allotted points and times. He wasn't looking to pull one over on someone. He just wanted to be able to leave when he wanted without everyone else knowing.

When he did leave for Raina, he wanted to leave without making waves.

He knew the time was coming when he would have to make a move. The time was coming when whoever had her would make it known.

He frowned as the picture of Emmanuel appeared in his head. When was he going to say something? Why was he playing this game of cat and mouse?

Nolan picked up his speed as his anger also increased.

He didn't know how long he could keep up the façade of not knowing what was going on. He couldn't imagine any other secret being harder to keep…other than the secret that he was keeping from Raina. The secret had been looming over him and Raina since she had allowed him into her life.

The words had often burned in the back of his throat. So many times he wanted to tell her. She deserved to know. He knew this. But he could never bring himself to confess the truth that would tear her apart. He could never bring himself to hurt her like that.

He recalled all the times he had sugarcoated words or gave vague explanations and it sickened him a little. If she knew the truth it would hurt yes, but it could free her.

"And it could bind her as well." His voice shook but it wasn't from exhaustion he wasn't even close to being tired and knew he would be out here hours running tonight. His voice shook with fear.

What was that saying? "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."

What excuse would he give if she were ever to find out? How could he go back and undo everything that he said? How can he completely ruin the lovely picture he had painted? Everything could fall apart. He could lose her. He would most definitely lose her trust.

"But it wasn't my doing," he gritted through his teeth. His feet pounded with more fervor and speed. "I would never do that to her." And then he cut off his words because thinking of his deception was not helping him with the issues at hand. He would have to live, or rather learn to live with his secret.

His chest burned now with emotion. He drew in a deep breath and clenched his jaw with determination. He was going to continue running until he had thought up some answers. He was not the type to sit down and wait. He would not be happy with himself until he was holding her again.

He would have done just that; continued running until he dropped. Then Joseph came out of the house and forced him to stop.

"You'll run yourself dead, and then what good will you be to her?"

Nolan stopped in his tracks and leaned over, breathing deeply and sweating profusely. He accepted the bottled water the Joseph held out to him.

"Don't do this to yourself," Joseph's voice was soft and soothing. "I know how it is for you, Nolan and I know that once you get an idea in your head there's nothing that can prevent you from succeeding." He looked back toward the house. "We can speak freely, they all went to town for some dinner."

“Emmanuel and Michael went to the…”

“Skipped the workout and joined the others, “Joseph assured him.

"You have information?" Nolan gasped between breaths.

"I do," Joseph's sighed. "You know how you figured there were more than Richard and Emmanuel involved?"

Nolan gave a nod. "There would have to be some other backing. Richard is not smart enough and Emmanuel does not have enough time to make such plans. There has to be a third-party to this and I don't mean Elenora."

"No, not Elenora," Joseph agreed. "It's even worse."

Nolan shook his head and wiped sweat from his eyes. "Who is it then? And how did you find out? You certainly didn't fish it from Emmanuel's brain. Not even Jonathan can read it."

Joseph smiled briefly and then became serious. "Reading one's mind is one thing and it can be blocked by very gifted individuals. But a fervent thought? It is not a controlled reaction. I heard him and it was only one sentence but it was enough for me to know who it was." Joseph's face saddened. "God help Raina."

Nolan's blood froze in his veins and he could feel shock and adrenaline coursing through his body all at once. "Who is it Joseph?"

Joseph swallowed. "I think you know who it is, Nolan."

Nolan couldn't breathe he couldn't feel anything. He just shook his head over and over and over again. "No, that's not possible. This can't be happening," he groaned. "Joseph I have to get to her before…"

Joseph wrapped an arm around Nolan to prevent him from falling to the ground. "Yes but you aren’t going to be doing that by panicking now. You have to be healthy of mind and body Nolan if you're going to face this."

Nolan closed his eyes and nodded slowly. "Do you suppose she knows?"

"I have no way of knowing what she knows. But we have information now and this can help us!" Joseph's gentle brown eyes pleaded with Nolan. "All is going to be well, Nolan. All will be well. I promise you this."

Nolan sagged in defeat. "How can you say that?"

"Because I still have hope."

Chapter 11 Frienemys