Rafael frowns. “Why don’t you want to talk to Noah?”
“I can’t.”
Dominic says, “Do it for him, Rafael.”
Rafael is still frowning, but he picks up his phone.
Jesus fucking Christ, he’s going to call Noah right now. My skin goes tight and my blood run cold. I back away. I can’t be in this room. I can’t—
“Sorry,” Rafael says into the phone. To Noah. “I know it’s late.”
I run into something. My knees buckle. My ass hits a couch.
Rafael says, “I need some information. I’m—we—are looking into the Valencis. They’re—yeah.” He listens for a second. “Me and Dominic, yes, and, um … Andre.”
Silence stretches.
Rafael says, “He’s … I’m honestly not sure. No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Rafael explains, “Ernesto Atolli, who Dominic says is the nephew of Piero Valenci, was in Lush tonight. He took a picture of someone here. Elias Rose. As Ernesto was leaving he called someone. He was speaking Italian, but it seemed like he said that he’d seen Elio. None of us can make sense of it. We’re just looking for a connection between the Valencis and Elias Rose and the name Elio. Andre is the one who needs the information. I’ll get you his number—oh, you have it, okay. Yeah. Thanks, Noah. Yeah, we’re good. I will. Thanks.”
Rafael ends the call. He turns to look at me. “Noah’s looking into it. He says he’ll call you.”
Jesus Christ.
Jesus fucking Christ.
How does Noah even have my number? I haven’t talked to him in almost fifteen years.
“Andre?” Rafael prompts. “Did you hear me?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you … want to stay here? I have a guest room if—”
“No.”
“Maybe Dominic should drive you home then.”
“No.”
I get up and walk to the door. I can feel Rafael and Dominic both tracking me.
“Noah only wants to help you,” Rafael says as I reach the door.
I know that. I’ve always known that. That’s why I can’t deal with him. I can’t deal with Rafael or Dominic anymore either.
So I don’t even thank them. I just get the fuck out of there.
***
I’m sitting in the dark in Peter Grange’s penthouse when my phone rings. I don’t recognize the number, but I know it’s Noah. I don’t answer. I can’t talk to him.
My phone stops ringing. Ten seconds later, a text comes through.
Noah:Pick up.
I reply,Just text me.
