14. Hot Issue

Noah’s POV

“You're out of your mind, James. I'm not in love with her. I already used her. I gotta take responsibility for what I did.” I immediately shot down James's accusation.

In love? Wow. I am Noah Adam. I can get anyone I want. Why would I fall for some idiot girl who's always a pain in my ass? Well, I shouldn't have panicked. I shouldn't have had to help Casey when Becky was forcing her to suck his dick. I'm always meddling. Why do I always run into her?

“I don’t care if you’re in love with her or not, Noah. I just don’t want you sacrificing Black Hell. My business is doing well. Don’t let your dad mess everything up because of some meaningless mistake.”

I glared at James. “So, you’re just gonna let Becky get away with it?”

“That’s none of my business or Black Hell’s. Casey isn’t even part of us. Why should I react to that? Do you think only Fallen Bike members commit rape? Aren’t our gang members the same? Why do you suddenly care now? Is it because the victim is Casey?”

Damn it. James was right. All this time, I never cared about stuff like that. I don't support violence against women, but Black Hell members often get caught doing this kind of thing to other women. I don't like it, but I don't have the power to stop it. James is the one in control.

“Or maybe you want to listen to your dad and leave Black Hell. I won’t stop you if you want to go back to your old life, Noah. I never asked you to stay in Black Hell.”

“James, I’m sorry.” James always got to me this way.

“You know, Noah. Letting you stay in the gang was the reckless and dangerous decision I ever made. So, please, don’t disappoint me. And you said you wouldn’t show up until things settled down. It’s better if you don’t come here too often. If you want to say something, meet Shirley at her job. Talk to her. She’ll tell me.”

James is fully responsible for Black Hell's existence, and I totally respect that. He's been trying to lay low for almost three years. He's more focused on his bar business and occasionally participates in illegal street races, which occasionally offer decent prize money. I love street racing, and I often come out on top. To even get into Black Hell, I had to beat a biker from Fallen Bike. Back then, James suspected I was my dad's spy, but I was genuinely interested in joining a biker gang. Now, at every illegal race, I’m always there, bringing wins and big money for Black Hell. That's why James really likes me.

“Okay, James.”

After my talk with James, I left the bar. A few dozen meters away, I spotted a luxury black car I knew all too well. My dad's guys, keeping tabs. I quietly slipped out through a side door to avoid being seen. I knew I was breaking my dad's rules, but he can't control my life. I don't want to live like him. I'll do what I want.

I left the Black Hell hideout, cruising through the quiet, cold streets of Wood Town. But I never felt the cold. My heart was always burning with anger. I didn't understand why it was always there. Without even realizing it, I rode past Casey's house. I stopped my bike out front. I saw the light still on in Casey's room.

"Why isn't she sleeping?"

I checked my phone, looking for Casey's social media. This is crazy. Her social media was just photos of her and her boyfriend. Her life was totally monotonous. I remembered James saying Casey should leave Wood Town.

"Wood Town wouldn't be interesting without you, Casey. I wouldn't have a toy anymore," I mumbled.

"What are you doing here, jerk!"

Suddenly, I was startled by Casey's mom, who was standing behind my bike. Shit! Why was she suddenly here? It was 2 AM. Where was she coming from? Why wasn't she keeping her daughter home?

"I was just passing by," I said, starting my bike. "Don't leave your daughter alone. This place isn't safe for her."

"You son of a bitch!"

I sped off. A sense of unease washed over me. I couldn't relax. My head was filled with worry for Casey.

***

Casey POV

"Aah!"

I woke up with a pounding headache. I couldn't sleep all night. Breaking up with Anthony, getting harassed on the street, and then that pretty intense physical contact with Noah. Yesterday was a total crap day. I honestly don't get why this is happening to me. I felt helpless, like I didn't even want to leave the house. My life suddenly felt like a horror movie, and I didn't know how to escape this situation.

I brushed my teeth and washed my face. My eye bags were even darker. This was worse than yesterday.

"My life is totally messed up," I grumbled.

After changing, I left my room. My mom was standing in the dining room, staring at me sharply.

"You know that biker?" The question suddenly came out of my mom's mouth.

"Biker? Who?" I pretended not to understand.

"Don't play dumb, Casey. The guy with the black bike is wearing a denim outfit. A rough look, though I gotta admit, he's hot."

I narrowed my eyes. "Noah?"

"You even know his name.”

"He goes to the same college as me. He's my senior," I replied.

"A biker in college?"

"And he's Mayor Peter Adam's son."

"What?! That jerk? He's the mayor's son?"

"Mom, you can't judge him before you know him. I've met his dad. Noah isn't a biker." I don't know why I was lying like this. Why was I protecting Noah's reputation? It was ridiculous.

I grabbed a slice of toast and took a bite as I walked out.

"You're not having breakfast?" Mom asked.

"It's too late, Mom."

"Anthony called me last night."

I immediately stopped walking. I turned around, looking at my mom.

"Why?" My heart suddenly pounded. I was scared Anthony would tell her about the video.

"He said you broke up with him. Is that true?"

I didn't want to talk about this. My pain hadn't fully healed, but I had to be honest that I couldn't be with Anthony anymore.

"Long distance just wasn't working for us, Mom. I decided to let him go. He deserves to be happy out there."

My mom walked over to me and hugged me tightly. Her incredibly supportive attitude touched me.

"You'll be happy too, darling. Don't worry."

"Thank you, Mom. I gotta go."

"Okay, don't come home late. There's a warning not to be out at night. You have to be home before sunset."

"Got it."

I quickly left the house, still feeling a sense of touch. After getting a hug from Mom, I felt like today would be okay. Now I just needed to focus on college. Though, honestly, I was still too traumatized to go out alone. I observed the streets. Some people were running toward the bus stop. I always tried to stay in a crowd. I was scared of meeting a stranger and getting harassed again.

The commute to campus went smoothly. I headed straight to my department building.

"Casey, did your mom pick you up yesterday? I heard some bad rumors. I got worried about you." Lucas suddenly appeared and walked with me.

"Oh, yeah. Everything is fine. My mom picked me up. What rumors?"

"They say a woman was assaulted at the street corner in Fallen Bike territory. Ugh, 9that's awful. The Fallen Bike's gone wild since Black Hell hasn't done anything."

That was me. Where did that rumor spread from? No one knew about it except me, the pervert, and... Noah. He just arrived, parking his motorcycle in front of the building. I glared at him.

"Seriously, don't get close to him, Casey. He's bad news. You'd better stay away from him," Lucas tried to warn me.

No. I couldn't stay silent. It seemed like this was Noah's doing. I immediately walked towards him.

"Casey, where are you going?" Lucas called out.

I stood in front of Noah. He looked at me. His arrogant attitude always made me sick.

"It's you!" I said, hitting his chest.

"Hey, Girl. What's up? Why'd you suddenly hit me?"

"You're the one spreading rumors about the assault yesterday! You want people to know what that bastard did to me!"