Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Noah

My heart slammed against my ribs so hard it hurt. For a second, I couldn’t even breathe.

“What the hell-?”

William’s hand tightened on my throat before shoving me back into the wall. The air left my lungs in a rush. Then he let go, but not far-his body still boved me in, eyes flat and cold as winter steel. I coughed, fighting for air, my hands shaking as I braced against the wood paneling.

“I don’t understand-”

“Oh, I think you do,” he said smoothly, too calm for what was in his eyes. “I spoke to my daughter.”

The words hit harder than the wall. “You spoke to-? Oh, for fuck’s sake, are you accusing me of not disrespecting your daughter?” My laugh came out cracked, half in disbelief.

His hand snapped out again, this time gripping my collar and jerking me close until I could smell his aftershave-sharp and expensive.

“Don’t play smart with me, boy.” His voice dropped to a growl. “You’re under my roof, under my rules, and under our agreement. By rejecting her, by breaking her heart and ruining what she’s put together for you, you’re disrespecting her-and me.”

“What?” My voice rose despite the danger. “I did everything you said! I took her out, smiled, played the part, made her happy! But she wanted to have sex with me. What the hell was I supposed to do, force something that’s not there? It’s not my fault my dick doesn’t respond to her! That was never part of the deal!”

William’s eyes darkened, fury flashing through the calm façade. His voice came out low, venomous.

“Oh, it was exactly part of the deal, son.” He took a deliberate step closer until our chests almost touched. “You wanted fame? Success? The dream life? You wanted your name in lights? You wanted that predator to end up clear of all scandal?”

My blood boiled. Aiden was no predator, he was.

*That comes through me,” he continued. “I shape your career. I make sure your name is on every scout’s tongue. You owe me everything-and I expect you to give something back.”

“I said I would date her, play the part, smile in front of everyone and propose to her on Christmas day. I’ll give her the title, but that’s as far as I agreed on.”

He paused, leaning in, the whisper almost intimate.

“No, thats not it. I don’t want you to play a part. My daughter will be cared for. Cherished. Loved. Protected. And if that means you have to give yourself to her, you damn well will. Do I make myself clear?”

My stomach turned. His words weren’t loud, but they were lethal. Every syllable slithered under my skin like poison.

“What if I can’t respond-“I started to argue before his strong hand on my shoulder brought me abruptly to my knees.

“If you can’t respond, you’ll make it respond, or you’ll fucking fake it. I don’t give a damn about your sexual preferences.” Grabbing me by the hair, William guided my face toward his crutch pressing my face against his zipper as it cut into my forehead. My heart faltered, fear creeping in. “Unless you need to choke on a dick before you can get it up, is that it?”

“No, I don’t.” Every nerve in my body was urging me to take off, to leave this psychopath behind and run to Aiden. But then I remembered it was him I was doing this for and I closed my eyes in surrender, ready to let this asshole fuck my mouth if that’s what it took to keep him quiet.

Releasing my hair, he tapped my face with a hand. “Good, because I’m willing to feed you mine if that’s what you need. I’m not playing fucking games, son. Consider this your last warning.”

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6:13 pm P P

Chapter 198

By the time evening rolled around, I’d almost convinced myself it hadn’t happened. Almost.

Lexie found me outside near the terrace, her breath white in the cold air, her dress wrapped in a shawl the color of wine. “Hey,” she said softly. “What did my dad want earlier?”

I forced a smile, shoving my hands in my pockets. “Nothing serious. Just wanted to go over plans for Christmas day.”

Her brow furrowed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t go to him, I swear. He cornered me earlier-said he could tell something was wrong. I can never hide anything from him.” Her voice trembled slightly. “All I said was that we had a little disagreement, that the night didn’t go as planned. I didn’t think he’d-”

He did.

I almost told her that.

Except you ran to Daddy and he read between the lines like he always does.

Instead, I smiled, because that’s what I was supposed to do. “It’s really okay, Lex. Nothing happened.”

Relief softened her expression. “I just don’t want him to make things awkward between us.”

“Hey.” I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers. “It’s fine.”

It wasn’t. But she looked happy again, so I let the lie stand.

Dinner was another performance-long table, crystal glasses, polished laughter. William was charm itself, toasting to “new beginnings” and “family.” I wrapped an arm around Lexie’s shoulders when everyone looked, kissed her cheek for the camera, smiled through every flash and every word of praise.

By the time I made it to the guest room, I felt hollow. I sat on the edge of the bed staring at the blinking phone in my hand. My heart thudded against my ribs, my mind screaming don’t.

But the silence was unbearable. I had to hear his voice… I missed him so much! I just wanted to tell him that everything he was about to hear in the next few days wasn’t true: it wasn’t me. Not really. I wanted to tell him I was just protecting him and that we only needed time. If he could wait for me…

Armed with all the courage and at risk of being caught, I decided to call him.

Just once.

Just one last time.

Before I could stop myself, my thumb hovered and pressed the call button.

The dial tone buzzed against my ear. One ring. Two. Three.

Then-

“Hello?”

Not Aiden’s voice.

A stranger’s. Male. Calm, Collected.

Every muscle in my body went cold. Obviously, I was already too late.

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