Chapter 13 Sexiest Ninja Moment

Elena’s POV

Noah just arrived like a knight in shining armor…Only, he wasn’t wearing armor, and he didn’t have a sword. But the way he walked towards me; shoulders squared, eyes burning cold...he might as well have stepped out of an action movie.

I’d already stopped struggling. The men holding me turned to look at him too, tension slicing through the air like a blade.

“I said, let her go,” he repeated, his voice sharp and cold enough to make the temperature drop a few degrees, and it did. 

The men exchanged glances, then looked back at Noah. It was clear they didn’t know who he was.

“…And what if we say no?” the gruff one asked, stepping forward like he ruled the damn jungle. He let go of me just to puff his chest and face Noah like a cartoon villain.

They were the same height, but the guy was bulkier. Bigger.

Stronger? Oh God please no.

My heart wasn’t pounding for myself anymore...it was for Noah.

He was rich. Polished. Elegant. What the hell did he know about fighting on the streets?

And worse, none of his guards were here. No backup! 

If things went south, Noah would be outnumbered and overpowered.

I just found this man. I haven’t even stolen his heart yet; and now I might lose him to some goons in a park? No, thank you!

“Please…” I stepped in, voice shaking. “I’m sure we can work this out like civil humans… right?”

The leader scoffed, answering my hope with a shove of reality. “We’re taking her, pretty boy. And if you know what’s good for you...”

He stepped closer to Noah.

Don’t touch him.

“—you’ll stay out of our way,” he finished, pushing Noah’s chest with both hands.

Oh no.

Oh no.

Oh fucking no. He touched him! 

The goons words only proved how wrong mine were. They weren't civil...aish, they weren't even humans!

But Noah didn’t flinch. Instead, he smirked. A terrifyingly calm smirk.

“I did warn you,” he said smoothly, a glint flashing in his eyes.

Huh? Wait, what?

I didn’t even get to finish that thought before things went bam-bam- what-the-hell-just-happened.

Noah grabbed the guy’s arm...the same arm that pushed him...and bent it… the wrong way.

CRACK!

The sound echoed.

Before I could react, the other two men were on the ground too, curled up and groaning. What the actual…

I just stared at him, mouth open, eyes wide. Noah stood next to me like it was nothing. The three grown men? Moaning in pain like broken action figures.

“What the fuck…” I breathed.

He wasn’t just a pretty boy. He was a pretty boy who could fight.

Really well.

Like... trained assassin well.

“Are you alright?” His voice pulled me back, low and deep and concerned.

I turned my head slowly, still stuck between awe and shock.

Was I alright?

No.

I just witnessed the sexiest ninja moment of my life.

From the guy I was so keen on conning! Which could fight, really well! If this wasn't a red flag, then I didn't know what was. 

“You…” I blinked, my heart still pounding from the scene I just witnessed. “You just...em...what was that? Are you in the military?”

Noah didn’t answer. Instead, he cupped my cheeks gently, his touch soft; completely different from the deadly man he was a second ago.

“Hey, Layla,” he said again, eyes locked on mine. “Are you hurt?”

I shook my head, eyes darting back to the men still writhing on the floor.

“No. I’m just… dumbfounded. That’s all.”

“Let’s go,” he said, his hand slipping into mine. “Before more of them show up.”

And just like that, he led me out of the park.

I followed silently, my brain still rebooting.

How could someone look that good, be stupidly rich, and fight like he came straight out of a spy movie? It didn’t make sense.

It wasn’t fair. 

“Hey, Layla…” Noah called again, breaking through my thoughts.

He slowed his pace, turned to me, and tapped my cheek again. His tone was softer now, more worried.

“Did they hurt you? Did they…”

“No!” I quickly shook my head. “No, I’m okay. Seriously. Just… overwhelmed.”

Like seriously, really overwhelmed. 

I let out a shaky breath.

“Tell me,” I said, squinting up at him, after catching my breath. “why do you even need guards when you can fight like that?”

Noah’s lips curved. “It makes me look cool.”

This man.

And here I thought the guards were for his 

A cool breeze swept through and I shivered, my arms instinctively wrapping around myself.

“You’re cold, aren’t you?” he asked. Before I could answer, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

I instantly melted inside.

“You shouldn’t have worn such a…” he paused, eyes shamelessly scanning my dress. “…revealing dress.”

I gasped. “Excuse you? You were the one practically daring me to dress up yesterday!”

His jacket smelled like him. Warm, expensive, and just a bit like danger.

“I said dress nice. Not…” he waved a hand over me, clearly trying to hide his smirk. “…this.”

Whatever.

The damage was done. I wore the dress. I almost got kidnapped.

But hey, at least I still got it.

I sighed. I was so done with today.

“So…”

“So…” we both said at the same time. I giggled.

“You first,” he said, stopping beside me.

I bit my lip.

No point beating around the bush.

“So, with everything that happened today—me almost being kidnapped, us getting kicked out of the movie theater…” I tilted my head. “Are we… getting a second date?”

Normally, the guy should ask this. But this wasn’t a normal situation.

I wasn’t going to let the man of my con dreams walk away without knowing where we stood.

Noah paused. I held my breath.

If he said no… I’d have to sneak into his house and steal that really nice vase I saw.

‘Elena. Don’t sell yourself short yet,’ my inner voice whispered.

Right. Stealing was plan B.

Noah’s lips twitched into a half-smile. “Maybe. I’ll call you.”

YES.

I beamed. I probably looked like a giddy teenager.

This was good, really good. It meant there was a huge chance for my plans to work! Which meant in less than a few weeks, a month or two at most, I would he fucking rich! And probably out of this country forever.

Noah shook his head, amused. Thank goodness he couldn't read minds. “Alright, it’s late. I’ll take you home.”

My smile froze. Shit.

I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

“No need,” I said quickly. “I’ll find my way.”

“How?” He raised a brow. “You left your car at my place. And I’m definitely not letting you go alone after what happened.”

I pressed my lips together, brain spinning.

“I’ll… take a taxi. My place is really far from here and...”

He wasn’t even listening. He pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and said, “Get the car over here.” Then he hung up.

Just like that.

Of course, he was the type to give orders, just exactly the way he was with me yesterday over the phone. 

And now I had a big problem.

I couldn’t let him drop me at that cheap hotel I was crashing at. He’d get suspicious. Start asking questions. Digging.

I couldn’t risk that.

Which left me with one safe option.

Layla’s

house.

She did say I could come anytime, right? That's why it's best to watch your words around people, because they could take you up on those words. 

"Okay, you can take me home." I nodded at Noah.