Here Lies a Saint (Here Lies #2) - C.L. Matthews Page 0,96

I spent my nights and extra hours, her whereabouts are unknown, and that makes her a danger to Colt and everything that matters to me.

As I head toward her wing, which is far the fuck away from Colt, I see Noah along the way. "You better not fuck around with her again," she practically bites out. If she were a panther, I'm sure I'd be dead right now.

Colt doesn't remember her.

The guys don't remember her.

Only I remember Noah Grim.

"What makes you say I fucked around with her?" I ask.

She folds her arms across her chest. "I do. I trust Colt, and Melissa bragged to her. How could you ever sleep with that bitch? You know what she did to Colt!"

Her voice is too loud, and I grab her and muffle her yells as she kicks and screams. Dragging her into one of the random guest rooms, I allow her to go. Before she can scream, I put a finger to my mouth and lead her to the walk-in closet.

There are two rooms to each suite that are safe from prying eyes and ears—the bathroom and the closet—mostly because they didn't think either would be found out.

They're wrong.

"Do you ever pressure Colt to regain her memory?" I ask.

Her eyes widen, and she bites her barely peach bottom lip. "How do you know I know?"

"I remember you, Noah. I have a photographic memory."

If her gaze could grow any larger, it did. Her shock isn't surprising since many forget that tidbit about me, and I definitely don't air out the knowledge for anyone.

"To answer your question, no." She tugs on one of her silvery blonde strands of hair, and it reminds me so much of Colt that a twinge of guilt lodges itself at the center of my heart's prison. "I've done research on regaining memories, and an aggressive pressure-filled scenario isn't always the answer."

"She doesn't remember anything," I admit. I've watched Colt for years. She's always been my pocket elf, the goth freak I've always looked after.

"She forgot me," she whimpers. "When we met again for the first time for her, she stares at me like she knew me, and as soon as the thought came, she let it go, and while we have a new and beautiful bond, it's nothing like what we had before."

I nod my understanding.

"She loves you guys and can't remember why."

I nod again.

"She hates Melissa, but she doesn't realize there's a reason more than your betrayal."

I nod once more. “I’ve got to go, Noah. Stay safe, and don't prod at Colt. When her mind's ready to retrieve the snippets I'm sure she's experienced, she'll seek out the truth. Just remember she's safer without the information."

"I hate it here," she admits.

"I'll save you one day, Noah. I promise."

"Your promises never stick, Bridge-boy."

"This time, I'm stronger and smarter," I argue, "and a helluva lot deadlier."

She scrunches her nose as if she's not impressed with me. "You're still the dumb boy who pushed me in the mud and called me a boy for my name."

"Did the same to Colt, and she doesn't complain."

She rolls her eyes. "She has no memory. What did you expect?"

Before I can help myself, I chuckle. A real one. It's been so fucking long since I'd found true amusement, but I wave at her, knowing there's someone else I really fucking need to talk to.

Lux

The next week leading up to New Year’s is nice. They’ve allowed Colt to stay with me in my room, and we spent that time talking and planning what we’re going to do.

I left yesterday, and Elijah said she would be back to school today.

I pull out my cell and text her. Where you at?

No response.

I message Jordan. Have you heard from Colt?

No, but she’s supposed to be back today. Maybe she’s at her dorm?

Possibly? I’ll check after Lit class. Don’t want to piss Salini off more.

Want me to check? I’ve got a free period.

Thinking about it, I figure I might as well. Maybe he can make sure she’s doing good with the whole married thing.

After she woke up that night, all the guys were gone. She didn’t seem as bothered about what we hid about Cassidy, but she’s also kept her distance.

I never know if that’s because she’s planning something more sinister, or if she’s finally accepting that we’re stronger together than we are divided.

Might as well. Give her a kiss for me. I laugh out loud, thinking of the fact that Jordan and I have bonded, and that somehow now