Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Hide and Seek

-Three Days Ago-

Miles had a bad feeling as he sat in his study flipping through the pages of his book. He knew this sensation too well and it was not paranoia. It was this slow, creeping weight in his gut that came before the bad news. Ever since his last conversation with Adrian, he began to hear whispers in the underground. There were murmurs of an infamous man reappearing where they shouldn’t be.

At first, Miles chose to ignore them.

Adrian was reckless, but not stupid. Or at least that was what Miles believed back then. Adrian had a career and a life outside the bloodstained world they used to run in. Miles wanted to believe his old friend had meant it when he said he was done, that he’d finally left the underworld behind for good.

But deep down, he knew better.

Until he received a certain call.

“Calix.” He muttered under his breath.

A name he hadn’t seen in a long time, one he’d hoped to never see again.

For a moment, Miles considered letting it ring. Maybe if he ignored it, he could pretend things hadn’t spiraled back to this. But he knew the rules. You don’t ignore a call from Calix Ashcroft unless you’re ready to face the consequences.

With a slow breath, Miles pressed accept and brought the phone to his ear.

“Didn’t think I’d be hearing from you,” he said, forcing his voice to stay casual.

A low chuckle came through the line. “Yeah, well. Thought you might want in.”

Miles instantly frowned, already feeling uneasy. “In on what?”

Calix was silent on the other line for a moment. Then, with that same smooth ease that never quite matched the violence he dealt in, he said, “A hunt.”

Miles‘ blood ran cold.

A hunt wasn’t just a job. It wasn’t about settling debts or collecting payments. It meant tracking, cornering and eliminating. It meant someone had made it onto Adrian’s personal hit list.

And Adrian never played fair.

Miles ran a hand down his face as he leaned back. “So it’s true,” he muttered. “He’s really back?”

“Not just back,” Calix said. “He’s rebuilding. Bigger. Smarter. And a hell lot meaner.”

Miles couldn’t help but exhale and close his eyes. ‘Damn it.‘ he thought.

He had a bad feeling about where this was going.

“I’m not looking to go back,” Miles firmly said. “You know that.”

“Yeah,” Calix murmured, like he already expected the answer. “Figured. Still, thought I’d give you a chance before things get ugly.”

Miles didn’t like the sound of that because he already knew who this hunt was for.

He then rubbed his temple as he shook his head and finally opened his eyes. Noelle had no idea what she was up against. She thought running would save her, that putting distance between herself and Adrian would make her life better.

But Adrian wasn’t the kind of man you ran from.

Chapter 29 Hide and Sook-

+25 BONUS

“He’s serious about this?” Miles asked, though he already knew the answer.

“He’s not playing, if that’s what you’re asking.” Calix’s voice dropped a little, “He’s been different ever since he came back.”

Yeah. Miles knew.

He also knew that when Adrian set his sights on someone, he didn’t stop until he had them under his control again. Miles had spent good years trying to live a peaceful life, away from the blood and chaos. He had no intention of going back.

But Noelle…

Noelle wasn’t built for this world. She was soft in all the ways they weren’t. She had no connections in the underworld, no way to defend herself. And if Adrian was on his way to find her, she didn’t have much time.

He clenched his jaw as Calix asked once again.

“So, you in?”

Miles was silent for a long moment before exhaling sharply.

“I’m out, Calix.”

The other man hummed, like he wasn’t surprised. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Then, in a tone that sounded far too much like a warning, Calix muttered, “Then you might want to be ready as well

Miles blinked in confusion. “What?…” he muttered almost in a whisper.

Calix chuckled on the other line. He then placed his lips against the screen of his phone and whispered, “I’ll be coming after you next, my love.”

A slow, cold dread crept down his spine as the line went dead.

Of course, it wasn’t the first time Calix had said something like that. His brand of affection towards him had always been

twisted, possessive in ways Miles had long stopped trying to understand. But this? This wasn’t just a joke or a passing remark. It was a promise.

Miles swore under his breath.

This was exactly one of the reasons why he left. Why he fought so hard to stay out. But the past had sharp claws, and no matter how far he ran, it always found a way to sink them right back into him.

And now?

Calix was no longer letting him go like he did before.

Miles dragged a hand down his face as his heartbeat pounded against his ribs.

He needed to get the hell out of here.

But before he could disappear, there was something he had to do first.

Noelle.

-Present-

Miles sighed as he pulled his cap lower. His eyes flickered between his phone screen and the worn–down apartment building before him. The address matched, but something about the place felt… wrong. Not dangerous–just too quiet, too tucked away. It was a good hiding place. But not good enough for someone like Adrian.

Chapter 29: Hide and Seek

+25 BONUS

He clicked his tongue and slipped his phone back into his pocket. She had really meant it. Noelle wasn’t just avoiding Adrian. She had severed everything tying her to her old life.

But running wouldn’t protect her from him.

Miles sighed, rubbing his temple before stepping out of the car. He had spent years tracking people, knowing where to look, how to follow the faintest trail. After all, hunting was once his job. In fact, it was his expertise. But hunts never ended without casualties. Someone always suffered.

The moment he entered the building, the musty scent of old wood and faint detergent filled his nose. It was one of those aging apartments that had seen better days–peeling wallpaper, flickering hallway lights, the distant murmur of a television behind one of the doors.

A woman sat behind the front desk with her graying hair pulled back into a loose bun. She barely spared him a glance while her knitting needles clicked steadily.

Miles stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I’m looking for someone. Noelle McGrath. I was told she might be staying here.”

The clicking of the needles stopped for only a second before continuing. “Never heard of her,” the woman said flatly.

A lie. Miles didn’t even need to think twice. She was too calm, too quick to dismiss the name. If she truly didn’t know, she would have at least asked more questions, or offered a polite apology. But she was clearly protecting Noelle.

Smart woman. But not smart enough.

He tapped his fingers against the desk, considering his next move. Pushing too hard would only make the woman more defensive, and Miles wasn’t here to stir trouble. He wasn’t here to drag Noelle back either–that was Adrian’s job.

Instead, he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small folded note. “If you do happen to see her,” he said, setting it down gently, “can you give her this?”

The woman instantly hesitated with her lips pressing together. Her fingers hovered over the paper before she finally decided to

take it.

Miles gave a small nod and quickly turned on his heel before walking back toward the exit.

The moment he stepped outside, he exhaled deeply and ran a hand down his face. He had done what he could. Noelle would get the message. Whether she listened or not… well, that was on her.

But she needed to know Adrian was coming. Because if he catches her, there wouldn’t be anywhere left to run.

For now, it is his turn to run and hide.