Third Person POV
The road stretched on like it had no end, heat waves trembling above the asphalt. Noel sat behind the wheel, one hand steady, the other tapping her knee as if the rhythm might keep her thoughts in line. Cyrus sat in the passenger seat, silent for the most part, his leg angled just slightly to keep the weight off it.
They hadn't spoken much since they bandaged each other. And Noel wasn't sure if that was because he didn't want to or because he was saving his words for when it mattered. With Cyrus it was always hard to tell.
The GPS line glowed across the car's console, guiding them toward the destination Cyrus had punched in. She cast him a sideways glance when he finally broke the silence.
"You're really comfortable driving?" he asked.
"You know I am, just that in a way I'm not" Noel muttered, shifting gears. "I'm banned"
That caught his attention. He turned, eyebrows raised. "Banned?"
"Bright Wilson's orders" she said. "Apparently I drive like hell on wheels"
Cyrus chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "That man's still haunting you. Figures"
It almost felt normal after that, like two people bickering on a road trip- except the pit in Noel's stomach reminded her that this wasn't a trip. It was survival.
Less than thirty minutes later, the car slowed. The house came into view, or rather the fortress disguised as one. It wasn't quite a mansion, not in Cassano terms, but it loomed, wide and sharp edged, its walls painted in pale stone that caught the sun. More unsettling were the guards. Dozens of them, scattered across the drive and perched on balconies, rifles angled casually like they were part of the scenery.
Noel whistled low. "Guess hospitality isn't Shark's thing"
"Wasn't like this before," Cyrus admitted, though his jaw tightened. "It's... new."
Noel shot him a look "When's before?"
"Five years ago"
"Right," she said, rolling her eyes, "because you love disappearing acts."
The car eased to a halt at the gate. Two guards approached immediately, guns already raised. One rapped the muzzle of his rifle against her window.
"Friendly," Noel muttered, rolling it down halfway.
The taller of the two barked something in italian - fast, clipped. Noel caught enough to know it wasn't a welcome. Cyrus leaned closer, his tone even. "We're here to see someone. Tell him it's -"
The guard cut him off, snapping more italian, the barrel now hovering close to Cyrus's chest. Noel's heart skipped but she didn't flinch. She leaned forward and spoke up.
"He means Squalo. Shark" she translated crisply. The guard's eyes flickered to her, assessing, then narrowed "Chi siete voi?"
"He wants to know who we are" Noel translated, glancing at Cyrus.
"Tell him it's Vale" Cyrus said, voice carrying a certain weight. "Shark will know"
That game made the guard hesitate, Noel's hands stayed firm on the wheel, though she fought the edge to roll her shoulders. "Cyrus" she muttered, her lip barely moving away "if this guy doesn't clear us in the next sixty seconds, I'm running him over."
"Please don't do that" Cyrus said, randomly looking around.
The intercom crackled. The scarred guard barked a reply and after a long pause, returned to wave them forward. The gates opened.
YOU ARE READING
OUR BOND
DiversosEver since Alessia, Noel's mother passed away it has never been the same. She doesn't get along with her father and it's been like that for the past years. He eventually gets tired of it and decides to send her to his brother-in law's place in Italy...
