Bound by Honour

16

The motel door swung open and Noel entered, his eyes narrowing. "What the fuck are you thinking?" He snapped and I stood, backing away from him. I eyed the door. "Don't you dare run, princess."

"What are you doing here?" I snapped, narrowing my eyes.

"I'm here to make sure you don't get yourself killed," he snapped back, stepping closer, his dark eyes intense, never leaving mine. Noel closed the distance between us in two quick strides, his presence overwhelming in the cramped motel room. Before I could react, his hands gently but firmly pressed against my shoulders, guiding me back until my spine met the cool surface of the wall. The force wasn't harsh, but it left no room for argument.

His hands slid down to grip my wrists, his touch steady, almost tender, as if he knew that pushing too hard would break me. His body was close, not suffocating but close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating off him. His eyes bored into mine, dark and full of an intensity that sent a shiver through me.

I struggled, trying to twist away, but Noel held firm, his strength a quiet reminder that I wasn't going anywhere unless he allowed it. His fingers tightened slightly but not enough to hurt.

"Stop," he murmured, his voice softer now, but still laced with frustration. His forehead almost brushed mine, his breath warm against my skin as he leaned in, his tone both pleading and commanding. "I'm not letting you do this, princess. Not like this."

The closeness of his body, the way he caged me in without actually trapping me, made my heart race.

"Noel, let go," I begged, my voice breaking as I struggled against his weight, pushing against the solid wall of his chest. But he was unrelenting, his grip strong and immovable. "I have to do this. She will die if I don't go to him."

His face hardened, his eyes locking onto mine with a fierce intensity. "And you will die if you go to him," he said, his voice low but deadly serious. "You think that he's going to let you live? You'll be dead within hours... or maybe he'll torture you for the fun of it for fuck knows how long ... I'm not letting that happen."

"Noel, I can't leave her behind."

"You're not leaving her behind ... I wonder which will get you killed faster - your loyalty or your fucking stubbornness." His words hit me like a slap, the weight of them sinking in, but I couldn't stop. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing while Evie was suffering.

"Noel, please. I have to go. He'll kill her—"

"And what about you? Do you even care about what happens to you?" he shot back, his voice rising with emotion. "What about me? What about your brothers? Are you really gonna make us go through a funeral? Another one? Do you think any of us can survive losing you too?" He shook his head, his jaw clenched tight. "No, Maisie. I won't let you just go to him."

Tears blurred my vision, my chest heaving with panic, frustration, and the fear gnawing at my insides. "You don't understand—"

"I do understand!" Noel's voice cracked, and for a moment, I saw the pain in his eyes, the fear of losing me. "I understand more than you think. You are not doing this to me."

"I can't leave her behind."

"She needs you to live because if you die, he will win. You need to understand I won't let you die ..."

I collapsed against him, my body shaking with the weight of his words, but I wasn't finished—I couldn't be. My heart raced, adrenaline rushing through me as I came up with a plan.

I leaned forward and kissed him, quick and firm, using the moment to catch him off guard. His grip on me loosened, just for a second, but it was all I needed. His eyes fluttered in surprise, and before he could react, I broke away.