Free Marked. Part II: Becoming Noah Baxter by J. M. Sevilla

that I return just as big.
    “ Love you,” I declare, blowing her a kiss good-bye.
    “ Ditto,” giving back the usual she's used ever since we were kids. We had watched the movie Ghost and she became excited to find a way to say she feels the same, without ever having to say the words.
    At that moment my brothers send a text that they are home and the neighbor took off ten minutes ago.
    I head inside to check in, knowing I won't feel safe until the plane takes off and my neighbor hasn't gotten on.
    Luckily I'm one of the first to board, and I keep an eye at the entrance, breathing easier when he doesn't show.
    I have a feeling the two hour flight will be the longest of my life. In the past couple of hours my nerves have gone from shocked by the bank statement, fearful the worst has happened, adrenaline rush over my neighbor, and now...well, now I'm getting pissed that I'm flying all the way to San Fransisco just to get some answers. This is the last time I let Jay Lincoln shut me out. I can hardly wait to give him a piece of my mind.

 
     
     
    Chapter 13
     
    1:39pm
    I barge into Cole Private Bank and Trust like I own the place. I stand directly under the four cameras centered on the door, making sure he has no doubt I'm here, and that I'm here to see him.
    It's barely been a minute before a single guard pushes open the door that leads to the stupid gold elevator. I don't wait for him to reach me, heading straight for him and leaving behind a trail of wildfire. I don't acknowledge him when our paths meet, continuing my tantrum to the door, stopping inches from the ridiculous elevator waiting for my inspection.
    The guard enters, avoiding eye contact as he places his hand on the scanner and enters his personal code. He eyes me to do the same. My brows scrunch together, wondering why he doesn't inspect me. He  jerks his head toward the scanner, expression clear that he wants me to move it along. I do what he wants and we repeat it on the other side.
    “Uh, I have a gun on me.” I so totally don't, but I'm very confused right now and I'm not taking any chances that they think I'm concealing anything on my body, giving them an invitation to shoot me in the head.
    He ignores me.
    “And extra ammo,” I add, expecting a reaction, expecting him to demand a strip search.
    Still no response.
    The doors open and the guard steps aside for me to walk through, arms extending out in a welcoming manner as though I'm entering the iron gates of heaven and not a short hallway.
    I nervously glide one foot out, half expecting it to be some evil trap. When both feet are safely in the hall I turn around, watching as the elevator door closes and takes the guard with it.
    What the hell is going on? It was made very clear last time that I would get shot for any shenanigans, and this time they could care less? My confusion has my adrenaline spiking, fearing what's behind the door leading to Ben's office.
    I take in a deep breath before I turn back around to face the end of the hall, where two men are guarding the door I plan to enter. I take a hesitant step forward and flinch back when one of them draws a hand, but it's only to open the door for me to enter.
    Again – what the hell is going on?!
    I walk through the passageway warily, and this time instead of Ben's two assistants ignoring me, they look up with smiles full of sunshine and ass-kissing.
    I stride past them, ready at any minute for someone to stop me from entering Vault's office.
    Nobody does.
    For the third time – what the hell is going on?! I should have guns pointed at my head by now.
    I barge in waving the bank statement in the air, not paying attention to anything but the figure sitting behind the massive, dark wood desk and it's magnificent backdrop of the one-of-a-kind view that captivated me over eight weeks ago.
    “Benedict Vault Cole, what the hell is this?” I demand as I continue barreling through the room towards him, ready to be ruthless until I get answers