Noah looked a little longer before turning to hug Alistair’s neck. He was desperate for physical touch, to feel something warm and comforting, and being in Alistair’s arms was a pretty damn good place to be.
Alistair held him close, his big hands sliding over Noah’s back and up into his hair. “I’ve got you, sweet boy. I’ve got you.”
Noah was on the verge of tears again almost immediately. He was exhausted in ways he didn’t know he could be, and fear was creeping along his spine and stealing his breath away. “I don’t wanna die, Alistair. I really, really don’t wanna die.”
“You’re not going to,” Alistair swore passionately. “I will tear anyone apart who tries to harm you, I promise you.”
“You did. Fuck, yeah, you did.” Noah laughed, the sound coming out as more of a wail. He felt giddy, almost hysterical. “I can’t believe you did that. You killed him. Right there in my room.”
“I’m sorry.” Alistair rocked Noah against his chest. “I’m so sorry you had to see that.”
“No.” Noah shook his head. “You saved me. You saved my fuckin’ life, Alistair. Thank you. Thank you for saving me. Fuck Medina. Fuck him all the way to hell. I hope little fuckin’ demons rip off his balls and make little ball hats and wear ‘em while they dance around torturin’ him.” He peered up at Alistair expectantly.
“What?”
“Just waiting for you to bitch about my language.”
“Later.” Alistair smiled. “How about a free pass for the rest of the evening, hmm?”
“Fuckin’ sweet.”
“Can I get you anything, dear boy?”
“I don’t know… Uh…” Noah glanced down and saw he had Alistair’s blood on him. He suddenly felt filthy, and he wanted to burn his clothes. “A bath?”
“Of course.” Alistair hugged Noah, and he took his hand to lead him to the bathroom.
It was directly connected to the bedroom, tiled in deep magenta with glossy black fixtures. The wallpaper was a rich hot pink and black damask, and the matching sconces on the wall above the mirror were fringed. The tub was big, jetted, and Noah couldn’t wait to climb inside it.
Alistair turned on the water, testing the temperature and glancing back at Noah with a smirk. “I think Junior would have been proud of that little rant if he’d heard it.”
Noah laughed, but then he frowned. “You’re not gonna kill Junior, are you? I mean, for messing up so epically bad.”
“Believe it or not, I don’t make murder a habit.”
“Because you’re a businessman, right?”
“Yes. I spent many years getting my hands dirty, but I prefer not to conduct myself that way now. It’s not the kind of life I desire. Killing Medina… was impulsive. I admit, I was more than a bit angry with him, and I reacted poorly.”
“He stabbed you.”
“More concerned that he tried to kill you.” Alistair approached Noah and helped him undress. “And that he even had the opportunity to try.”
“Look, Junior messed up, but I know he was only trying to help.”
“How unexpected.” Alistair smiled.
“What?”
“You defending Junior. It was that charming nickname he gave you, wasn’t it? ‘Crisco’? Hmm. He grows on you.”
“Yeah, like a rash.” Noah scoffed, rolling his eyes as he climbed into the tub. The hot water was awesome, and he sank right down.
Alistair chuckled. “Well, worry not, your rash is safe. I am angry with him, but he will make amends for this trespass without suffering any physical injury.”
“Speaking of injury, uh…” Noah glanced at the bandage on Alistair’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I hate that you got hurt, but killing somebody to save me is kinda romantic.”
“Is it?” Alistair laughed. “Well, don’t get your hopes up. I do not plan on doing it often.”
