Page 36 of After the Chase

“No, I want to get back to the hotel.”

“Okay, I will drive you both.”

“Thanks. I’ll text him.”

Jules goes out front as I grab my phone and text Chase. I need to get out of this place before I go crazy.

CHAPTER TEN

CHASE

The boys are still chatting amongst themselves, and my phone chimes and a text from Noah pops up.

N: We’re going. I’ll meet you out front.

“Looks like someone has been summoned,” Kai says, grinning at his phone.

“How do you know that?”

He looks up and shows me his phone.

“Jules said he is taking you and Noah back to the hotel.”

“You better go, or you may get punished. I bet Noah gives a great punishment, doesn’t he? Lev is great at it, that’s why I try to piss him off,” Aaron says, all doe eyed.

“Try to piss him off? Aaron you DO piss him off,” Seb says, laughing with Tyler and Kai. They really do have a bond here and I’m a little envious.

I stand to leave and say my goodbyes as Ty walks me back to the front of the house.

“How long do you think you’ll be here for?”

“I don’t know. I’ll know more after I speak to Noah.”

He nods in understanding and gives me a huge hug.

“Keep me updated, Chase. No disappearing this time.”

“You got it.”

Noah has been quiet since the meeting with Dima and the gang. Not distant, exactly, but his mind elsewhere. He’s spent hours on his laptop the past two days, investigating every area of what his parents did in their businesses.

I've been recording everything in my journal as I assess the slight changes in Noah:

He's considering it. I can see the calculation happening behind his eyes. He's weighing risks against benefits, assessing whether the Kozlovs and Blackrose Saints are worth it.

But I think he's already decided. I think he decided the moment he walked out of that meeting with Marcus. He’s just playing the long game, putting all of the chess pieces in their place. Not allowing outside control, maintaining his power.

I'm writing this when Noah emerges from the bathroom, smelling incredible and looking hot as fuck. He’s wearing a body hugging white tee with his black jeans. The material stretches over his broad chest and hugs those big biceps. His tattoos look mesmerizing and I can feel myself drooling.

“You going somewhere?” I ask, as it’s early afternoon and I’m not aware of any plans.

“I’ve decided to go to see Marcus at his clubhouse. I want to see what I’m dealing with, also want to catch him off guard.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“Too dangerous, baby. I’m going to drop you off at Starlight on the way. Tyler will meet you there.”

“Wait what?” I ask as I stand, confused and annoyed. “Are you serious? You’ve arranged for me to be babysat by my brother?”