Page 31 of After the Chase

“He’s at a meeting, but he will be here soon.”

“Wow, he left you alone? Must be serious.” he says as he slides into the booth seat next to Tyler, before inappropriately kissing my brother like they are alone. Tyler pushes him away, and I can see the faint blush under his skin, but it’s great to see him so happy.

“Anyway, I was asking before this one interrupted, who is Noah meeting with?” Tyler asks.

“The Prez from the Blackrose Saints MC, Marcus, I think his name is.”

“You’re shittin’ me?” Ivan says, his brows scrunched up in either concern or confusion.

“What?”

“Why the hell is he meeting with those guys?” Ivan asks.

“Its just some business to do with his family.”

I take a sip of whiskey, feeling the burn. "Noah inherited more than just money, there are certain obligations."

"That doesn't mean he has to honor them, the Blackrose Saints are a big deal, Chase," my brother says, his voice full of worry.

"Doesn't it? His father then his mother funded the Blackrose Saints for years. That creates relationships where walking away isn't as simple as it sounds."

“Fuck me, Noah really is with the big boys. You do know that the brothers are planning on working with the Saints?” Ivan says, and that leaves me stunned. This is about to get a whole lot more complicated.

Tyler leans back, his expression troubled. "And more importantly, what about you? Where do you fit in all this?"

"I'm with Noah. Wherever he is, I am."

"Even if it means becoming a criminal?"

The word hangs between us. Criminal. It should bother me more than it does.

"Being with Noah means I already am, Ty. Just like you are with this guy,” I say, slightly annoyed at the judgement. Ivan smiles like it’s a compliment, but Tyler shakes his head and sighs, knowing he has no place in this argument.

"You’re right. I’m sorry, I’m just worried for you, that’s all.”

“Don’t be. I can take care of myself. I love him and nothing will come between that.”

“Now thats fucking romantic,” Ivan says, grinning as he toasts himself with his drink before taking a sip.

“At least if the Kozlovs are involved you’ll be more protected, hey, you could even come home and be part of the family,” Tyler says, his energy shifting from concern to excitement.

“One step at a time, Ty.”

We sit in silence for a moment, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on us. Then Tyler asks about our travels, and I tell him about Venice, New Zealand, the cities we've seen. I don't mention the murders or car jacking as it’s a step too far in the sharing and caring conversation.

We're on our third drink when I sense that Noah is near. I look up and see him entering the bar, his eyes scanning the room until they find me. He's tense, I can tell with how rigid his body is. The laser focused eyes on me with the vacant look on his face means only one thing, the meeting with Marcus didn't go well.

He crosses to our booth, and Ivan stands to greet him.

"Noah! I missed my partner in crime."

Noah stares him down, which would intimidate most people, but Ivan just grins at him with his eyes sparking. He is crushing hard on Noah like he is some kind of super hero.

“Not chatty today? That’s fine,” Ivan says before Tyler speaks.

“Hey Noah.”

"Tyler," Noah says, barely acknowledging Tyler, his focus is purely on me.